[LINK] IT: Essay: ICRA - Censoring The World, Round 2

[Kevin Littlejohn]

On Tue, 2002-03-26 at 10:57, Rick Welykochy wrote:
> grove@zeta.org.au wrote:
> > 
> > > On Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:40, viveka wrote:
> > > > I would also prefer a system that would warn me/my child prior to
> > > > clicking on a link of the content behind it, rather than blocking
> > > > anything altogether.
> > 
> > I heard on the radio this morning (ABC) that the CSIRO is currently testing
> > and evaluating the various software filtering products that are
> > available.  I wonder what their findings will show?
> 
> When the BSA legislation was being considered, didn't the gummint commission
> the CSIRO to test/eval available filtering software? IIRC, Alston ignored
> CSIRO's finding's that such software is ineffective. Wonder why they are
> doing the same study *again*.

They asked the CSIRO for their opinion on filtering generally - it
wasn't so much a comparison of existing filtering packages as it was a
summary of the problems inherent in filtering generally.  The report was
very well researched, and very well laid out - and basically said what
we've all been saying:  It's harder to solve the "problem" technically
than it is socially.

And yes, it was essentially ignored, AFAICS.

Presumably this is the next step in the BSA - it was setup in such a way
that when filtering packages reach a decent level of viability, they can
be made compulsory.  By comparing filtering packages, rather than
examining again whether they actually function or not, Alston and co.
can pick the "best" and trumpet it's abilities to the country.

This is why that bill should have been thrown out - it's full impact has
yet to be felt, imnsho.

KevinL
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