From: Brad Templeton (brad@templetons.com)
Date: Thu Jan 18 2001 - 01:51:42 CST
On Thu, Jan 18, 2001 at 01:30:28AM -0500, Seth Breidbart wrote:
> > Privacy is constantly shown to be something that everybody says
> > they strongly want, but which they don't inconvenience themselves
> > much to get because the negative consequences of lost privacy
> > usually come well after the choice.
>
> That is, privacy is something people claim they strongly want when
> asked, but when it comes down to paying some small amount or suffering
> some small inconvenience to get, they decide it isn't worth it.
>
> Given that they can get privacy by using one of the Usenet providers
> that offers it, for a small monthly cost (<$5), I don't see why the
> default shouldn't be to use the raw IP address (as is presently the
> case). People who want privacy can get it. Clueless sites will not
> be handicapped by the software being harder to use than necessary.
Because it costs both money, and requires using a distant news server
or having to get news software that can be easily configured to post
via one server while reading via the local one. If you're not reading
on a relatively local server, you are starting to lose most of what USENET
is and why it was created and still flourishes.
As indicated elsewhere, the IP address is a very poor choice, even if
it weren't for the fact that we static-IP users lose our privacy when
it is used. Because of DHCP, the IP address can quickly be reassigned
to an innocent person. You can't easily spot networks with just the
IP address, you can just guess, because subnetting happens at any mask
these days. (My subnet is really stupid, I have the block from .60 to .67,
due to idiot admins at my DSL provider.)
If spam detection is your goal, a token created by local admins who actually
know the config of their network and who know one DHCP user from another
is more useful, and avoids the incorrect filtering of the innocent.
As such, I am not sure why you find it superior. It's simpler, but
simpler and wrong is not as good as harder and correct.
This is all without consideration to the privacy issues. The truth is,
some of those defending the use of the IP address have indicated they
want to strip posters of privacy, because they don't trust administrators
to discipline their own users and thus don't want those admins to
protect that information, so that they can more easily track down and
punish people.
I'm saddened that I am the only one here who finds that sort of philosphy
distressing. I know I'm not the only one in the rest of the world who
does.