Tim Blair

In that case, can I borrow some cash? Brother?

Why are you adding the IP, Tim?

It's no big deal. I'm adding the IP because I prefer to know who I'm talking to.

Call me pig ignnorant, but what is an IP address?
Are you just doing John Ashcroft's work for him?

Does this mean I can no longer enter bogus Phat Phuck Phil posts?

By the way, Tim seems to be living proof that old people don't need much sleep. (Or, has his cumudgeonliness incorrectly lead me to assume he is old?)

Uh oh. Gonna have to use the shell account to avoid the work IP from appearing. :)

Use ssh. It's more secure. We all want to be more secure, don't we?

What's Anonymizer's IP?...

Fine by me. I use this same nom de plume across all of the comments I make on any blog, and the fake email is to save me from spam, not identification.

Yes, big chickens -- oops, I mean, people concerned for their privacy may take the trouble to visit this site through Anonymizer. If they don't mind the hassle.

We are family... I got all my sisters and me.

TO: Tim
RE: What's This??!??!

"I'm adding the IP because I prefer to know who I'm talking to." -- Tim

You mean I'll be able to figure out more about the inimicable Andrea? She's an interesting 'case'.

Regards,

Chuck(le)

TO: Andrea Harris
RE: What...

"Use ssh. It's more secure. We all want to be more secure, don't we?" -- Andrea Harris(ment)

What have you got to hide?

Regards,

Chuck(le)

TO: Tim
RE: Technical Question

What does having one's IP address dynamically assigned do to this idea?

Regards,

Chuck(le)

Chuck, the IP can be tracked back to who was using it at the time. I guess Tim just covering his back (and other parts of his anatomy) :)

Chuck, the IP can be tracked back to who was using it at the time. I guess Tim just covering his back (and other parts of his anatomy) :)

Arrgh, I've got double vision

You know Tim, I'm sure you could get it to display to _you_ only. Displaying IP isn't going to make people any less anonymous to you, but let me give you this example:

Moxie vs Moxie fight. We all know by now that a fax was sent to one of the Moxie's employers. With IP showing, whoever sent that fax could also traceroute any supporters in the comments of the Moxie they didn't like. After finding who the IP belongs to (e.g. govt department) they can then send faxes to the commenter's employer as well.

Showing IP isnt a huge risk, I just don't think it's neccesary. Surely you could make it appear to yourself only, which is how most messageboards are set up. It also means that if any major blogger posts a comment to your board, 'hackers' can listen on the IP that person posted behind and try to gain access to a blog that way. Not everyone who reads this site is going to be part 'the family' :o(

Btw Bashir, thanks for Panix.com. When you said you had a shell you could use I couldn't help seeing if you actually bothered to use one. So few good shell companies out there.

TO: Tim
RE: Ken's Idea

"You know Tim, I'm sure you could get it to display to _you_ only. Displaying IP isn't going to make people any less anonymous to you, but let me give you this example:" -- Ken

I think this is an excellent idea.

Knowing and being able to trace information about person's identiy is one thing.

Broadcasting information to the world is something else, altogether.

Case in point....

....I think I alluded to it in a couple of earlier posts in this thread {nudge-nudge, wink-wink}.

RE: Another Good 'Point'

"Not everyone who reads this site is going to be part 'the family' :o(" -- Ken

You never know who is 'watching'. And even in the best of families, there are silly rivalries.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
P.S. Personally, I'm not afraid to let my face hang out. I pity the people who feel they have to hide themselves between lies and half-truths.

Why should I care? It just means that people will know I am a cheap bastard who uses a scabby $9.90 a month dial-up, or scive off at my office.
I wish the pricks who sometimes send me viruses would include their isp- I could then organise a visit by Dog and Split-Pin from the Rebels Motorcycle Club, who also do my debt collecting.

People, if you don't like the way this blog is run... well, that's just too bad. Tim requested that I do this after I suggested it to him. Unless you're new to this blog, you know that Tim has been having problems with some trolls. If you have a better suggestion as to how he can dissuade these creeps without making your blog-visiting experience less enjoyable, both he and I are open to it.

And yes, he already knows that the IPs can be made visible to just him alone. The point was to make this information public. If you want to remain private, some of you have already made plans along that line, I see. So I really don't see what the problem is -- unless you are a troll who is pissed off that you will have to go to a little extra trouble to get your jollies off.

TO: Tim
RE: Then Again...

Paul Bickford seems like the type who could do some really interesting things with the information...

...once properly processed and passed on to the proper people.

Maybe he could do some contract work?

Regards,

Chuck(le)
P.S. Then there was Mad Dog, who toted an M60 in the early 70s. He was a biker on the lam from LAPD, as best I could tell. Hiding in the 82d. But I've lost touch with him since then.

TO: Andrea Harris(ment)
RE: How To Run the Business

"If you have a better suggestion as to how he can dissuade these creeps without making your blog-visiting experience less enjoyable, both he and I are open to it. " -- Andrea Harris(ment)

I'd suggest construction of a 'dungeon'.

Anyone who doesn't proport themselves in accordance with (IAW) the established (and published) Rules of Engagement (ROE) has all their posts showing up in said 'dungeon', until they post IAW with the ROE.

You could refer to it as Pandemonium. A place where the 'demons' dwell.

I've mentioned this to a few heavy hitters in the blogosphere, but apparently not even the vaunted Moveable Type cannot implement such a scheme.

Too bad.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
P.S. I get plenty of 'jollies' already. No need to worry your pretty little head about that. And they don't involve the 'web'.

P.P.S. Does a 'troll' hang their true idenity out there for everyone to see? Or is that really the act of someone willing to engage in honest discussion?

It must at least make points for integrity. Not to mention a 'devil may care' zest for life.

P.P.P.S. Why you getting so defensive? So soon after our little tete-a-tete?

I like to watch.

Jesus, Pelto, do they only let you out once a week so you have to make seven consecutive posts at a time to compensate?

And as for your "Dungeon" idea, something of the sort can be implemented, but it would be more work for Tim and me, and unlike some other people I could mention, we both have these things called "lives." The idea is to balance troll-control with having time to do other unnecessary things such as eat, sleep... I'm sure you understand.

Gawd Andrea, that's tame. Show the asshat some spleen!!!

This should be fun.

It's true I am a bit under the weather today. Maybe a good night's sleep will rev up the old venom sacs.

Sorry Andrea, since the moxie thing I've avoided comments like the plague.. so I didn't realise there was a troll issue.

But is the issue in that the trolls are mimicking people, or just being tossers? I honestly cannot see how broadcasting IPs helps us to combat trolls except in the case of mimicking.

Although even then, I post under 2 IPs - work/home.

This system also allows a troll to know who is from the same ISP and thus who they can better mimick. e.g. if tim was from the same ISP as me, he'd have the same IP.. I could post around the web as him and nobody would notice a difference in their IP logs. I would of course, use his popularity to win me a few blogger wives. (the unarmed ones of course)

Wouldn't a registration system be better? I thought there was one floating around the mt circles a while ago.

Tim, the IP addresses are available to you within MT. Why do you need to display them publicly?

Also, what about people who posted comments prior to this notice, but who want anonymity: should they email you too?

Tim, you make Coulter look sane. But at least she's an original - you just mindlessly mirror the same petty obsessions of all the American neo-con bloggers. And now you're turning fascist with IP addresses - ID cards bad, enforced exposure of IP addresses good.

hugs and kisses
A. Troll.

Robert, so far your comment: "Tim, the IP addresses are available to you within MT. Why do you need to display them publicly?" is my favorite.

Hi. Did you not read any of the preceding comments from myself (never mind what Tim posted, I guess that didn't penetrate) explaining the reasoning behind this? Or did my previous posts appear on your computer in Sanskrit?

And to Ken: yes, name spoofing was another reason for this move. I can't possibly see how you pretending to be Tim on someone else's blog has anything to do with what goes on on this blog. I cannot control your actions on the whole rest of the internet, so I don't see what relevance your scenario has to this situation.

To bailz: yes, there are a variety of hacks one can implement to MT, such as registration, comment holding, and the like. I already said that. It is up to Tim if he wants to implement them.

so I don't see what relevance your scenario has to this situation.

Little relavence perhaps. However this move ensures that mimickers can refine their tactics elsewhere. If a person noticed a high level blogger posting here with the same IP as themselves, they can know that bloggers aren't going to want to ban that IP block.
I'll give a dumb example again then.

Tim posts on this site in his comments. We notice he has IP block x.x.x.x
Some little jerkoff notices that Tim uses the same block of IP. Jerkoff then proceeds to be a prick at Australasian blogs and anywhere they've seen Tim post before. Webmasters at other sites wont be able to block the troll without blocking Tim. Prior to this decision, if a troll wanted to mimick, they couldn't know WHO they could get away with mimicking.

Slashdot uses a login system, can't other weblogs?

If. Tim. Wants. To. Use. A. Login. System. He. Can. Ask. Me. To. Set. One. Up.

How many times do I have to repeat myself? And -- this is not the first blog in the history of blogging to expose IP addresses, I have seen this done on more than a few other blogs. And -- once more with feeling -- I cannot control anyone's actions on the entire rest of the internet. I cannot prevent trolls from wreaking havoc anywhere else. I can't prevent trolls from being on Tim's same IP block. I don't see a solution here to your problem other than hiding IP addresses again, which I must repeat is up to Tim.

I think, Andrea, that some are under the impression that this is a democratic process. Either that, or there's some part of "Hi. We're doing this. And we're being nice enough to provide you with some warning." that's just not getting through.

Help! My free, anonymous speech is being threatened!

So few good shell companies out there.

I'm an ex-Netcommie, and Panix was the logical next step. :) (after having been dispossessed by Earthlink, those bastards)

Sorry Dave. I thought the blogosphere gave a shit about scenarios where people don't pay attention to consequences for using half measures. As for democratic etc etc etc, well Tim *did* just say we're like a family. I assumed he had no problem with feedback (negative or otherwise).

Sorry to have annoyed you Andrea. I hang around a lot of *ix geeks, some of whom even encrypt their data on their home networks. I think a little bit of their obsession with constant network security speculation has rubbed off on me. I just see risks in such lack of anonymity(sp?).

TO: Andrea Harris
RE: Time Out (for Good Behavior)

"...do they only let you out once a week so you have to make seven consecutive posts at a time to compensate?" -- Andrea Harris

Nope. It's STILL a 'free country' here, last time I checked. Or otherwise, I'd be dead. [Note: Something to do with an oath I took 30+ years ago.]

Why so many posts? Must have something to do with a vehemence for getting to the truth. Hence my current 'focus'. I'm curious as to what makes someone whom I've noticed, heretofore, as rather 'rational', go so 'ballistic' over something someone called a 'tempest in a teapot'.

Hence my proddings. I'm curious about human nature and you are, indeed, an inticing subject.

So sorry....

Also, as an asside, I'm waiting for my moment to appear in the kitchen and prepare the chicken and uma boshi. The distaff is currently working on the rice and sides. So I have a few moments to dalley with you.

RE: Dungeons, Pandemonium, Trolls and having a 'Life'

"And as for your "Dungeon" idea, something of the sort can be implemented, but it would be more work for Tim and me, and unlike some other people I could mention, we both have these things called "lives." -- Andrea Harris

Good news. When I start my own blog, in a few months, I'll implement such a thinkie.

Work is not important. We all 'work'. What matters is what we are 'working' to achieve.

And as for having a 'life'. Everyone has one. What's your point?

Or is it that what we spend our life focused upon is important? So what's important to you?

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[If you have your priorities in their proper order, everything falls into place by itself. -- Infantry Battalion Commander, briefing his subordinate officers on 'reality', after seeing a brigade commander relieved for having his priorities in an 'improper' order. c. '82]

TO: slatt
RE: Tame?

"Show the asshat some spleen!!!" -- (as)slatt

The trick is to 'show' it with panache, compadre. Or 'wit'. See the above....

Regards,

Chuck(le)

Well, Chuck, can't wait to see your blog. What's holding you up? Are you waiting for this A-List Blogger group I keep hearing about to send you an engraved invitation? (Don't hold your breath.) Or is it that your bloated ego can't stand the thought of being nothing more than yet another guy with a new blog?

Why are you hanging around here anyway? Usenet misses you.

TO: Andrea Harris
RE: Production

"Well, Chuck, can't wait to see your blog. What's holding you up?" -- Andrea Harris

Something to do with a 'change of life'. Currently I am a DBA for a Fortune 500 company. Or was. I suspect that after the 'take-over', it's a Fortune 100 company. But I don't have the evidence to support that theory...at the moment.

Moving to a new location. A grand old lady built in 1901 and starting a 'new life'. It's going to take some time and effort to restore the lady to her former glory. Things like 'honey-do' lists that involve removing paint from massive wooden door and window frames, restoring sashs, sinking a hot-tub into a back deck, building a poker table for the game room, and putting in a home theater system that will, literally, knock your socks off.

Once that is accomplished, I'll tackle hi-tech issues.

One has to have a solid base to work from before trying to 'take over the WORLD' [ -- the Brain].

In the meantime, I have to 'slum' around like this....

RE: Bloated Egos...

"Or is it that your bloated ego can't stand the thought of being nothing more than yet another guy with a new blog?" -- Andrea Harris

Who needs an 'ego' when they have reality?

Regards, mon cher....

Chuck(le)
[God is alive! And airborne-ranger qualified. -- sign in the chapel at the US Army Airborne School, Fort Benning School for Boys, c. '70]

P.S. Eat your heart out cheré....

P.P.S. If you had a 'life' in the first place, you will never have a mid-life 'crisis'.

That's spelled "cherie."

Fortune 500 company. Uh huh. Whatever you say.

TO: Andrea Harris
RE: I Stand Corrected....

"That's spelled "cherie."" -- Andrea Harris

Thanks.

RE: Whatever You Say, Babe

"Fortune 500 company. Uh huh. Whatever you say." -- Andrea Harris

I will never lie to you. Whatever you want to do with what I say is your problem.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[The true curse of the liar is not that he cannot be believed, but rather that he cannot believe anybody else.]

{nudge-nudge, wink-wink}

TO: Andrea Harris
RE: Interesting

Looks like the IP addresses have 'disappeared'. Someone took my advice and hid them?

I still think you little tantrum about my comments regarding protecting children, to what degree and why, caused that. [Note: Probably an ego thingie....]

RE: The Truth

You doubt my claim? DBA for a Fortune 500 company? Well, I can understand that, based on what I 'understand' about you. Here's some credibility for you...

http://www.filemaker.com/customers/stories/252.html

Enjoy,

Chuck(le)

TO: Andrea Harris
RE: English Common Law

I asked you a question, or two, did I not? Or at least made inferences to such....

...and you should understand the nature of not responding to such, under English Common Law, eh...POME?

Regards,

Chuck(le)