> > > We have recently made changes to our mail servers here that may possibly
> > > affect some list users. In our ongoing effort to limit SPAM, our mail
> > > servers were recently configured to utilitize the MAPS RBL, DUL, and RSS
> > > databases (see www.mail-abuse.org for details).
> > > [...] (ie. they are "open relays"). [...]
> > > [...] We really really really dislike spam, and feel that this action is
> > > wholly appropriate.
> > First of all, I realy apreciate your efforts to reduce SPAM,
> > and I feel that choosing your system was a real good idea.
> > Just, I have a bad feeling about droping esential parts of
> > free networking - the shareing of resources. Only because
> > some Jerks missuse them. It's like puting an expiration
> > date on the driver licence and ask for renewal just because
> > some guys like to drive slow on the left lane. Or to bann
> > free speech just because some idiots don't know what they say ?
> I wholeheartedly support this MAPS RBL, et al, blocking.
> The simple fact-of-the-matter is, open relays are wrong. They are
> the result of bad administration and serve no purpose other than
> to provide spammers the mechanism to operate anonymously.
> Performing this SPAM blocking not only protects the subscribers of
> a list from the resultant abuse of mismanaged mail servers, it forces
> legitimate operators of mail systems to properly administrate their
> machines.
What's proper or not is a matter of opinion, and in my mind
open relays are a basic part of the mail system.
> To say that this will "ban free speech" is totally unwarranted.
> There is absolutely no reason for an open relay EXCEPT to facilitate
> spam. The InterNet is much too sophisticated for any claim of
> necessity for such a facility. Anonymity is not a factor in Free
> Speech.
Two things: Fisrt if you go up there and read again, I didn't say
this will bann free speech, I did it compare to that issue, since
it is related. But I can agree - in the very last consequence it
is exacty that. Any action that is able to supress a single voice
will do so and is therefore to avoide at all circumstances. And
restricting access is one of them. The net has proven that it can
handle trouble without influence and without building up controll
structures etc. THings like the UDP
http://www.stopspam.org/usenet/faqs/udp.html
work quite fine without seting up general barriers. And no
'propper' configuration will ever stop SPAM - maybe reduce the
likelyness, but I'm not willing to pay the price. All you need
is a series of small 'improving' steps to jump the cliff.
Abuse will exist as long as man exists, but here are more ways
to handle this stuff.
Sorry for the rant, but it just touches some very basic ideas of mine.
Servus
Hans
P.S.: Great to have list members from .lv :) I hope to have
again time to visit your county this year.
--
VCF Europa am 29./30. April 2000 in Muenchen
http://www.vintage.org/VCFe
http://www.homecomputer.de/VCFe
Received on Thu Feb 24 2000 - 10:27:39 GMT