RE: [cdin] Re: Distributed Data

Bill Kearney (wkearney nospam at gilman.edu)
Tue, 9 Mar 1999 18:24:49 -0500

> The central database scheme is not the problem. The problem
> with the CDDB
> fiasco is that the company retained ownership and control
> over the DB, so
> it was able to restrict access to it as it did.
>
> I think that if someone reputable steps forward to provide a central
> database with a legally binding license and affirmation to
> keep the database
> and its derivatives "Open-DB," it will be enough.

I disagree. I think the only way to avoid this again is to make it
impossible to centralize. Granted, some servers may become known as the
best sources of data, but it should NOT be a foundation of the structure.

How to eliminate 'rogue' servers? Do it like NNTP. Causing 'problems',
ditch their feed.

This is why no one company "owns" the Internet; they can't. If we're going
to do something new then do it BETTER. The world doesn't need another CDDB
centralized structure. It needs one as loose and reliable (good or bad) as
the Internet itself.

Yes, this is hard work. Yes, now is the time to slow down, discuss and
PLAN.

Meanwhile, everyone, read up on managing NNTP services. It's more/less than
you might think.