[3822] in Central_America
A Modest Proposal
amgreene@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (amgreene@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Wed Nov 20 09:38:08 1991
Central America can be run one of three ways:
* The database consists of everyone by default, and people are
removed only at their request. This is how things currently
operate. The argument that has been made against it relates
to privacy issues. Jinx makes a distinction: between people
who read his .plan file because they are interested in *him*
and have fingered *him* specifically, and electronic voyeurs
who peek through open windows indiscriminately. I am not in
agreement with this distinction, but I appreciate his point.
* The database consists of everyone by default, and people are
removed at their request, by the general clamouring of those
who read ca, or at the whim of ca-maintainers. I think that
this is what is currently suggested, but I don't see this as
such a wonderful approach. It's too much like content-based
censorship for my taste, and although we aren't obligated by
law to provide a free forum, this policy would be the least-
defensible, if Jinx follows through on his threat to bring a
privacy complaint before an appropriate Institute committee.
* The database consists of everyone, but an additional step is
taken before ca is updated. Those users who have asked that
their .plan files be included are treated as usual. Any new
users get automatically sent email explaining ca, and asking
if they would like to be included. (If their .plan would be
listed with an error (not world-readable, too long, too many
control characters) they would also be advised by email). I
think this would address the privacy concerns without losing
the open quality of ca. It also would let us impose content
restrictions (such as no login/logout data), since inclusion
in ca becomes a requested privilge, not a fundamental right.
So, please send your votes for plan 1, 2, or 3 to ca-maintainers
and we'll see what happens by Sunday, when I'll count the votes.
