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From: randy@m2xenix.psg.com (Randy Bush)
Newsgroups: comp.mail.misc,comp.mail.uucp,news.admin
Subject: Re: BITFTP grief!
Message-ID: <1991May22.145920.18933@m2xenix.psg.com>
Date: 22 May 91 14:59:20 GMT
References: <1991May16.224338.286@crom2.uucp> <1991May18.043931.7094@iguana.uucp> <1991May19.183202.5575@sceard.Sceard.COM> <1991May20.064047.13740@iguana.uucp> <1991May21.031016.9269@sceard.Sceard.COM>
Organization: Pacific Systems Group, Portland Oregon US
Lines: 26

mrm@sceard.Sceard.COM (M.R.Murphy) writes:

> Much as I would like to see the facilities offered by MBAS's available, I,
> too, agree that the potential for abuse is such that it is not likely to
> find a feasable way to keep the concept in general. Too bad.

There was a time in the net's life where 'potential for abuse' was not a major
problem as it remained but a potential.  Folk were almost proud to have
dangerous tools lying around unabused (e.g. magic on WAITS).

The recent abuse of MBASs makes it clear that the net has 'matured' (i.e.
accumulated the immature) to the point where one can no longer leave dangerous
tools available, at least not at countertop level.

Recent traffic here, where the abusers claim a *right* to their lack of
consideration/citizenship, makes it clear that net tool builders now must
design against abuse as much as (if not more than) for use.  This results in
(at least) twice the effort/resource to achieve the same result.  Great.

In a sense, I guess, this is a sign of 'growth' and 'maturity' of the net.  In
another, it is sad sign of the modern human condition in self-righteous, 'you
owe me', rip-off America (and the fools who follow us).

<sigh>
-- 
randy@psg.com  ..!uunet!m2xenix!randy