[OT but please read] ORBS blacklisting ns1.samba.org

[Christopher R. Hertel]

> Well, if your ISP doesn't allow ORBS probes, its netblocks get put in a
> separate category from the known relays.  So if I, as a mail admin,
> feel that I want to block open relays but *not* block belligerent ISPs
> like yours -- I can do so.

I fail to see how preventing outside probes qualifies an ISP as
'belligerent'.  I have to agree with my ISP on this one.

> The fact that some mail admins don't read the docs and honor *all* the
> ORBS listings equally ... is not ORBS's fault.  ORBS is a tool that can
> be abused like any other.  They choose to publish the fact that there
> is no way of knowing if such-and-such a netblock has open relays
> because such-and-such an ISP wishes to hide from ORBS, for whatever
> reason.  I may wish to use this information to block mail, or I may
> choose to block only *known* relays -- my choice.  I don't see why
> people find this so upsetting.

I agree in principle, but I don't think that ORBS is completely blameless. 

Chris -)-----

-- 
Christopher R. Hertel -)-----                   University of Minnesota
crh at nts.umn.edu              Networking and Telecommunications Services

    Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them
    with your hands...you choose them as your guides, and following
    them you will reach your destiny.  --Carl Schultz