[LINK] The Ethics (!) of Dodgy Web Designers

[Craig Sanders]

On Tue, Apr 17, 2007 at 04:15:26PM +1000, Ivan Trundle wrote:
> As for the security aspect, this is also moot: you've not said that  
> the firm claims to deliver *secure* online applications. Whilst any  
> sensible, educated and truly professional web firm would include this  
> as part of their sales pitch and practice, I note that many do not,  
> probably because they are unaware of the importance of security. Or  
> because professionalism is yet to be a key selling point of web design.

right. and most sandwich shops don't bother to advertise
'salmonella-free' either...therefore it's unreasonable for customers to
expect a salmonella-free sandwich.

back in the real world, there are minimum standards which any good or
service must meet in order to be labelled as such - in the case of
sandwiches, standards are mandated by law...but not yet for web sites.

> This isn't a matter of ethics, but rather competency, which I suspect  
> your grievance is all about.

it's about both. it's unethical to claim to be capable of doing
something which you are not competent to do. that's called lying. or
deceptive trade practice.

> >One question I've asked: Has the time come for regulated and  
> >enforceable
> >"building codes" for websites?
> 
> To the basic question: why do we need regulated building codes for  
> websites? We don't have them for books, for art, for billboards, and  
> lots of other communication devices and tools.

books, art, billboards, etc dont have the security issues that web sites
do. they're simple objects. web sites, even basic ones, are complex.

> Standards and regulations are needed in places where lives are at  
> risk, or where laws might have a direct bearing on the process or  
> activity.

or where individuals and businesses need certainty about what they're
buying - or what they're making/selling. standards are for a lot more
than just risks to life and limb.

e.g. what risk is there in selling meat by the pound rather than the
kilo? none at all, yet it's still illegal. you can mention a weight
in pounds if you like (it's just marketing fluff), but accurately
specifying the weight in grams or kilograms is mandatory.


craig

-- 
craig sanders <cas at taz.net.au>

BOFH excuse #417:

Computer room being moved.  Our systems are down for the weekend.