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One example: the free software movement should lead to a better DNS system where governments and corporations will have no control over how and where we access

by marquis 15y ago

One example: the free software movement should lead to a better DNS system where governments and corporations will have no control over how and where we access information online. I continue to support the EFF and groups like it in order to have funds directed into research on critical issues like this. Would you prefer a GPL DNS or proprietary?

msbarnett 15y ago
The current DNS system is based almost entirely on GPL software...
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
- throwaway64 15y ago
  free software, yes. GPL software, no. BIND is ISC liscensed...
jonhendry 15y ago
I don't really see how GPL enters into it, as the problems are with laws, policies and regulatory bodies. The problems with the DNS system that I assume you're alluding to aren't due to the software or the software's license. It's the data the system runs on, and the people with the power to influence that data.
- marquis 15y ago
  Yes, that's understood, I realise I used the terminology incorrectly. I've just been reading up on DNS and regulatory control and now more deeply understand that DNS is an extremely difficult problem to solve so that it outside of overt disruption by both governments and rogue attacks. However I do hope to see in my lifetime a system implemented where DNS is no longer affected by a single country's politics. As bad_user comments above: "to change the world you don't need to change the laws. The alternative is to make them obsolete and technology has a habit of doing that". Back to Stallman: if anyone could help us imagine an truly democratic DNS system, I'm sure he could point us in the right direction.
biot 15y ago
> Would you prefer a GPL DNS or proprietary? False dichotomy. Apache, Firefox, Google Chrome, OpenSSH, and many others have all done quite well and are neither GPL nor proprietary.
- marquis 15y ago
  Yes, you are correct. I used the wrong terminology here to express my argument.

by marquis 15y ago

msbarnett 15y ago

The current DNS system is based almost entirely on GPL software...

deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
throwaway64 15y ago
free software, yes. GPL software, no. BIND is ISC liscensed...

jonhendry 15y ago

I don't really see how GPL enters into it, as the problems are with laws, policies and regulatory bodies. The problems with the DNS system that I assume you're alluding to aren't due to the software or the software's license. It's the data the system runs on, and the people with the power to influence that data.

marquis 15y ago
Yes, that's understood, I realise I used the terminology incorrectly. I've just been reading up on DNS and regulatory control and now more deeply understand that DNS is an extremely difficult problem to solve so that it outside of overt disruption by both governments and rogue attacks. However I do hope to see in my lifetime a system implemented where DNS is no longer affected by a single country's politics. As bad_user comments above: "to change the world you don't need to change the laws. The alternative is to make them obsolete and technology has a habit of doing that". Back to Stallman: if anyone could help us imagine an truly democratic DNS system, I'm sure he could point us in the right direction.

biot 15y ago

> Would you prefer a GPL DNS or proprietary? False dichotomy. Apache, Firefox, Google Chrome, OpenSSH, and many others have all done quite well and are neither GPL nor proprietary.

marquis 15y ago
Yes, you are correct. I used the wrong terminology here to express my argument.