In addition to groups, we can shape the wiki by creating different kinds of permissions.  Note that permissions can be restricted by space and by page.

Across the entire wiki, the following groups have the following permissions:

Anonymous Access allows people to view pages and comment anonymously.  (You can see what anonymous users can see if you browse the wiki without logging in.  Note that many spaces are not visible to people accessing pages anonymously.)

Confluence-users have accounts and, when they have logged in, have a Profile which they can modify.   Currently (5/22/06) they cannot create spaces. 

Confluence-administrators can add and remove users, groups and spaces, and can perform other wiki-wide administrative tasks. 

When a specific space is created, the person creating the space can add any (or none) of the groups or individual wiki users to that space and modify the permissions so that groups or individuals can perform different tasks.  In general, if you are using a wiki space for a group project, all members of the group will probably be able to do everything in the space.

For example, the LearningSpace allows anonymous users and all confluence-users to view pages and write comments.  However, all members of the faculty and staff groups can create, edit, and remove pages, news, comments, attachments, and otherwise build, modify, and wreak havoc.

These permissions can be changed both globally and for specific groups in specific spaces.