Subject2: Lurker adds another Thread... Many people, I assume, have used, or at least heard of IRC. For those of you who haven't, it is a real time chat system made up of many servers that clients(users) connect to. Once connected the user can talk to pretty much anyone else on the system. It is similar to CIS's CB and other CB simulators/chat-lines. For more info, ftp to CSA.BU.EDU and look in the "/irc" directory, both servers and clients can be found. The current "problem" with irc is that when you connect, anyone can figure out who you are. Or if you have "hacked" up the standard client, people can figure out your hostname. This doesn't allow private/anonymous connections to happen. The "fix" I decided was to modify the server code and make all connections completely anonymous. Anonyminity is to all, the Server keeps no long-term records of the machines it is connected to, and the only connection information it keeps is in socket information. Owning the Server does not give you access to Clients information. Now, the only way people are identified by, is their chosen Nickname or alias. I have this server up and running on my own machine with basically no one using it currently. I would like to see what people think, pros & cons, of real-time anonymous chat. If you would like more information, you can send me email. Or you can either compile your own client, or run an existing one. Change your server to "DROWN.SLIP.ANDREW.CMU.EDU", and you should connect. Disclaimer: Since this is still an experimental server, no guarentee will/can be made about your protection. -Matt (panzer@drown.slip.andrew.cmu.edu)
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- And verily Panzer Boy doth spake unto thee:
The "fix" I decided was to modify the server code and make all connections completely anonymous. Anonyminity is to all, the Server keeps no long-term records of the machines it is connected to, and the only connection information it keeps is in socket information. Owning the Server does not give you access to Clients information. Now, the only way people are identified by, is their chosen Nickname or alias. I have this server up and running on my own machine with basically no one using it currently. I would like to see what people think, pros & cons, of real-time anonymous chat.
Obviously you have not used IRC much... I think this idea would be exceptionally bad. On IRC, for those that have not used it, there are channel operators (chops) on each channel. They have the power to kick and ban people from the channel, if they are being abusive or exremely irritating (eg flooding everyone) . By removing the client information, you remove the efficiency of a ban (usu it applys the the person's userid from any machine on the same domain)... This would make it very easy for one person in a bad mood to ruin a channel for everyone. And believe me, there are usually serveral people of that kind on the net. Perhaps you could set up your own IRC net (similar to the undernet) and have it anonymous, but I would highly recommend against trying this on the standard IRC net. -- S. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.2 iQCVAgUBLHU0my0bkpXW3omvAQGXzAP/ZN6XuQ+WUcndenDVHZ+D3RFxwRR/6gAU Qi2SbhjaBnBj2jJAgimMx6U8zEIlAGk1CQaoWpigi1vZAUwChw9NqXGmRePHHYho 8lwj6GbJZqY5Av0cb0ytdssFcgSwGr5oGbv0JPcceoAL7Hqg+UJGsZ2PfZXwuJhd QWbC9a5J28c= =Z53c -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
On Fri, 20 Aug 1993, Skye Merlin Poier wrote:
Obviously you have not used IRC much... I think this idea would be exceptionally bad. On IRC, for those that have not used it, there are channel operators (chops) on each channel. They have the power to kick and ban people from the channel, if they are being abusive or exremely irritating (eg flooding everyone) . By removing the client information, you remove the efficiency of a ban (usu it applys the the person's userid from any machine on the same domain)... This would make it very easy for one person in a bad mood to ruin a channel for everyone. And believe me, there are usually serveral people of that kind on the net.
Perhaps you could set up your own IRC net (similar to the undernet) and have it anonymous, but I would highly recommend against trying this on the standard IRC net.
Actually I have used IRC for quite some time. I have also noticed that most of the time there is not much of a problem in "annoying" people. Also the power of the Operator is much in question when it comes to banning people, as to how easy it is to overcome being "banned" from a channel. You make the example of how anyone in a "bad mood" can ruin the channel for everyone. This is something you have to deal with. Ask people running Anonymous Remailers, and Anonymous Posting Services. I did not intend to connect this up with the "Normal IRC Network". That would be a little rude on my part. Allowing people to become anonymous only on my server. Also I would suspect most other people who run servers would not let mine conenct to theirs. I am not trying to start up a server to be in competition with the "Normal IRC Network". I want an alternative for people who wish to talk, but don't wish their identity known. -Matt (panzer@drown.slip.andrew.cmu.edu)
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