(See below for an explanation of some of the terms used in this edition.)
#152...
Online Accountability
I think we can all agree that one thing in society which serves to keep the wolves away from our doors is accountability. Imagine if you will, what would happen if there were no drivers' licenses or automobile registrations. Imagine no tags. What do you suppose would happen?
The scenario seems rather ludicrous, however that's what we've allowed to happen in the online world. Auto licensing and registration is a way of making sure drivers are accountable for their vehicles and their actions in the use of those vehicles.
I applauded the board of ICANN last week for their long overdue recognition of the need for some form of accountability on the web. They initiated a new policy that requires all registrants of domain names to be contacted annually by their registrar to ensure all data on the WHOIS database is correct. If the registrant fails to reply, the domain could be cancelled.
This is a major step in winning the battle against unsolicited email. (UCE, commonly known as spam.) Since 90% of the UCE glutting the bandwidth today is from people with forged or falsified credentials, complaining about UCE, or attempting to apprehend those committing crimes via UCE has been futile. This new ruling should eliminate a large percentage of those who would defraud the system for their own selfish personal gain.
Unfortunately however, winning this battle is not going to win the war. To make major strides in the war against UCE, everyone who sends and receives email needs to return to the principles of accountability. And, unfortunately there are many thousands of those whom will not comply on their own and must be forced to comply. This new ruling by ICANN is the first positive step in that direction.
Returning the web to the ideals for which it was intended will not be easy nor will it happen over night. As with automobiles, many will continue to ignore the rules. The cause will require scrupulous self-regulation by the industry. Congress can't do it. Law enforcement can't do it. Individually, neither you nor I can do it -- but together, the community of online users can make it happen.
Let your ISP (dial-up provider) know you're 100% behind this new ruling. If you own a domain, let your registrar know that you'll be switching to another domain provider if they don't comply. Together we can make the online world a much better place to be associated with.
Thanks for reading, 'til next time -- Good day!
PS: if you wish to join in the fight against UCE (spam) then let me know. There's lots to be done.
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TERMS Used in this Column:
The above policy came out of the ICANN meeting held in Rio de Janeiro in late March. It is unclear what the next step will be, or if the depth of bureaucracy will even allow itself implement any of the new policies set forth at that meeting. We can only help all we can, and hope there are actually some teeth behind all those lips.
To learn more about that meeting, and the policy mentioned above, go to: http://www.icann.org/riodejaneiro/whois-topic.htm
Who is ICANN? Simply put, ICANN is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, an international, nonprofit organization intrusted with the management and continuation of the domain system.
What is the domain system? This is the numbering system that allows the internet, and all the various features of the online world to work correctly. Simply put it's the "address" book of all the addresses on the web. Usually you only see the "name" translation of the address, eg: graphic-design.com. However behind that is a unique number which resolves to the right location on the web, eg: 206.55.64.142. Four sets of up to three digits per set, separated by periods. So, in order for you to actually be reading this page right now, your computer has to dial through another computer with a number, which calls my ISP's number to come to this page. (This is a very simplistic explanation. Please, there's no need to provide a more geeked-up description here.)
What is the Whois? That's the database which lists all domains and who owns them. It also contains the name server (or, computer where the domain resides), and registration dates, etc. Most importantly it contains the contact information of the domain owner. Or, at least, is supposed to have accurate information -- which is the whole purpose behind the above mentioned policy.
To learn about ICANN you can go to http://www.ICANN.org/. Don't expect to learn it quickly. They are a multi-national organization with dozens of sub-organizations and sub-committees steeped in literally tens of thousands (maybe hundreds-of-thousands) of pages of bureaucratic hocus-pocus and legalese.
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Fred Showker is a designer, consultant, writer and speaker. He has published 60-Second Window and DT&G Magazine online since 1990, and is director of The Graphic Design Network which includes The Design & Publishing Center at www.Graphic-Design.com. (1994) He was a co-founder of both The User Group Forum on America Online (1987), The User Group Network at www.User-Groups.net, (1994) and the Designers' Bookshelf (1996) He originally founded Showker Graphic Arts & Design in 1972, has been an avid computer activist and supporter since 1984.
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