[plug] Censorship and linux

[Bradley Browne]

This seems like an excellent idea.  The web restriction tools I have used have
had dubious value as far as I am concerned and I think that if anyone could
contribute to it (including gov) then it could be rock solid.  Client side
filtering is really the only feasible alternative.  I just can't believe that
parents give kids carte blanche when it comes to accessing a resource like the
Internet.

Even my brothers were smart enough to keep "inappropriate" stuff away from me
when I was young.

Brad

Michael Hunt wrote:

> > > But for any of this to happen you need to change the law which
> > is basically
> > > that the ISP has to filter this content. An all-round
> > unworkable solution
> > > for the very reasons above.
> >
> > Well yes, I expect the legislation to crumble under its own weight
> > eventually.
>
> Well are people interested in developing something like this ??? It makes a
> good alternative to be able to have for the government. Say the following
> scenario.
>
> 1. Free open source prototype of a client end filtering tool. Filters can be
> configured easily by user. Needs to run on a variety of platforms.
> 2. Web site set-up to promote the software plus sign ISP's up to give it
> away to customers. Easily be able to modify the splash screen at start-up so
> that it says something like blah filtering software proudly brought to you
> by blah ISP and the open source community.
> 3. Government crumbles under the weight of the legislation and regulates
> that ISP's make available open source filtering software. Funding comes
> through Government for the maintaining of the software and list of sites
> deemed unacceptable by the censure bureau can be available for download.
>
> I think with enough support something like this could actually work for
> everyone, and the open source movement would be praised for their great
> resourcefulness.
>
> Could ask every ISP in OZ to donate $100 towards its funding to get the ball
> rolling. There is something like 400+ ISP's in OZ which would give you
> $40,000 for the project. Enough to employ a programmer for the project.