Being more specific on my question... [LWN.net]

Being more specific on my question...

Posted Feb 13, 2011 21:18 UTC (Sun) by coriordan (guest, #7544)
In reply to: Being more specific on my question... by ejr
Parent article: Moglen on Freedom Box and making a free net

I don't have a technical solution to your question.

I would however point out a social solution to a similar problem:

the bittorrent protocol depends on people participating. Software was developed a few years ago (2008?) which would allow users to download without participating/contributing in any way. The developer of that program predicted the end of bittorrent within six months.

So there's hope. Not every abusable resource gets ruined.

Another example: people with open wifi routers would quickly put passwords on them if neighbours were really abusing them. The technology to really abuse an open router exists, but the problem hasn't exploded. Maybe meshes would also work despite the possibility for abuse.

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Being more specific on my question...

Posted Feb 13, 2011 22:00 UTC (Sun) by dlang (guest, #313) [Link]

a lot of this depends on the purpose of the mesh network.

if you are trying to maintain a mesh network to prevent the government from shutting down the Internet (i.e. the Egypt scenario) then vulnerabilities that could let someone corrupt the network are very significant.

if you are trying to maintain a mesh network to extent the network to a wider area for your (and your neighbors) benefit, then vulnerabilities like this probably don't matter