I read Alan Cox's rant about ORBS being shut off. ORBS and MAPS are two different organizations that are trying to block spam. They use different techniques, but both are considered controversial, because sites choose to use them to block email from reaching its destination. ORBS does it by doing network probes, which is considered by some to be antisocial. Both companies argue that people using their service to cut off mail are just exercising their rights and preventing spammers from using their resources.

Now it seems ORBS is accusing Vixie of using his influence on Above.Net to cut off ORBS and for some reason this is causing ORBS to shut down their service.

Excuse me folks. You just got cut off because you did things (probing) that the recipeint (Above.Net) thought was antisocial. Above.Net is just exercising their rights to prevent you from misusing their resources by probing. It isn't any different than people using your service to cut off spam. If you are going to argue that people have a right to setup their systems in the way they please, then Above.Net has the right to cut off ORBS if it likes. In fact, it may be a benefit to Above.Net customers. If Above.Net customers don't like it they can complain or change service companies.

I guess I'm getting used to this concept of recording in a diary and sharing my opinions in public. :-)