AOL now rejecting mail from Comcast residential IPs.

[pll at lanminds.com]

In a message dated: 31 Mar 2003 09:41:04 EST
"Kenneth E. Lussier" said:

> So why shouldn't it exist?
>
>It shouldn't exist on the merit that the only mail servers that should
>exist on Comcast's network are those that Comcast runs. If the mail
>comes from a residential IP address, then it isn't one of Comcasts mail
>servers. 

But I can write a <insert favorite language here> program to directly 
connect to port 25 on any given system and speak SMTP, and 
technically I am not running an SMTP server.  Actually, what I'm 
doing, is running an SMTP *CLIENT* which is using the PROPER protocol 
for SENDING E-MAIL.  Yet, by your argument, I should not have the 
right to choose the client I wish and send this e-mail however the 
fsck I want?  Sorry, as Derek stated, outgoing SMTP does not a server 
make :)
 
>No, it isn't censorship in any way. They are not preventing you from
>doing anything. They are merely imposing rules on how it is done. Same
>as the government does with laws. The difference here is that you don't
>have to use the service if you don't like the rules. 

But the rules do not state one single thing about how I have to send 
e-mail.  There may be rules stating I can't run a private server, but 
a private SMTP server is for INCOMING SMTP, not outgoing.  Outgoing 
smtp is from a client, not a server, and there are no TOS statements 
about which clients I can or cannot use.
 
>It shouldn't be up to you. It's *THEIR* service. They have the right to
>put any limits on it that they want. If you don't like the rules, then
>don't use the service.  

But the point is that the DO NOT put any restrictions on traffic 
eminating/originating *from* the residential connection, only connections 
*destined to, but not originating from* said connection.

IOW, as long as the connection originates from my system, there is no 
restriction, since originating/initiating connections are *clients*.
Incoming connections to a system, which are externally originated,
mena the destination is a server, and *this* is what is restricted 
by the TOS, not the former.
-- 

Seeya,
Paul
--
Key fingerprint = 1660 FECC 5D21 D286 F853  E808 BB07 9239 53F1 28EE

	It may look like I'm just sitting here doing nothing,
   but I'm really actively waiting for all my problems to go away.

	 If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!