Freedom on the Net
For Better or Worse
Encryption
Link to our Pros
and Cons of encryption page setting out the respective sides
of the debate.
Freenet
Soon-to-be-completed
Freenet is the guardian of freedom/anarchy on the net. Using decentralized
peer-to-peer technology, as is used by Gnutella,
for sharing media files (among others) but with more efficient data routing,
Freenet plans to provide the software to link many users in a parallel
network rather than feeding through a few main servers, which can be shut
down. Postings are mirrored on multiple "servers" like a parallel
circuit so that content cannot be suppressed by authorities or anyone -
dimming one light leaves all the others shining. As of March 27,
2000 the software was still being completed, but the site provides a rousing
manifesto and explanation of aims and functions.
Secure
Music Digital Initiative (SMDI)
SDMI is comprised of
over 100 companies and organizations representing information technology
and consumer electronics businesses, ISPs, security technology companies
and the international recording industry. SDMI is a forum in which
these various industries are cooperating to "develop the voluntary, open
framework for playing, storing and distributing digital music necessary
to enable a new market to emerge."