----- Original Message ----- From: "David Lesher" <wb8foz@nrk.com> To: "nanog list" <nanog@merit.edu> Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 10:22 Subject: Re: Fun new policy at AOL
Speaking on Deep Background, the Press Secretary whispered:
Shouldn't customers that purchase IP services from an ISP use the ISPs mail server as a smart host for outbound mail?
applying that standard just how large do you have to get before you "graduate" to running your own smtp server. "I'm sorry we won't accept mail from you because you're not an lir?"
Yea! I think the registry should run the mail server. That way, there's just 3 or 4 nationwide. Makes it easier for Ashcroft and RIAA, to boot.
And we all know how well NSI does on complex things...
This brings up a more general point about the dangers of blocking everything under the sun. When you limit yourself to just a few chokepoints, its easier for those who would stifle communications to shut things down. This is a very dangerous path to take. Not that we shouldn't consider some sort of port restrictions to stop spam, but there are undesirable long term effects that need to be considered. Those on the dark side will be "considering" them, you may be sure, while licking their chops.