Subj : Is binkp/d's security model kaputt?
To   : Atreyu
From : Avon
Date : Fri Sep 10 2021 04:19 pm

On 04 Sep 2021 at 06:54a, Atreyu pondered and said...
 
 At> Its definately not for lack of tech talent, its more of a lack of desire
 At> from the Sysops to embrace it, because there is just no big pressing
 At> demand for it.

Since I got back circa 2013 into FTN circles I certainly seen little
technically driven innovation. 

But I'm not convinced it's all about a lack of perceived demand. You mentioned
from time to time this subject comes up.

I suspect things move slowly or stall thereafter for a few reasons:

a) a lack of demand by some in FTN communities who are quite happy with the
status quo and perhaps think 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

b) a lack of motivated people in FTN circles with the current tech smarts and
spare time to create new tools/ways to innovate beyond current established FTN
tech/methodologies.

c) a mix of intents that drive/motiavte people on this topic. Some may want
to build only new and legacy integration be dammed, others may want to always
be backwards compatible in what they do with legacy FTN stuff.  None of this
is right or wrong but I often see that topic as a point of tension when the
wider subject comes up.

 At> If there were demands for a new packet format, P2P
 At> distribution, decentralized messages and nodelists etc... all of it
 At> would have been solved decades ago.

Demand is but one reason as to why stuff gets built and established. People
can be curious and wonder 'what if', others tinker because they just can etc.
It's that spirit that is perhaps best embodied in the Fidonet story that
underpins my counter argument to what your suggesting.

 At> The second problem is FTN software traditionally continues the trend of
 At> backwards compatibility. That stifles any serious innovation.

I agree it doesn't make innovations easier. I guess it comes down to what rules
of engagement any developer wants to adopt (or not) when they looking at these
questions. If they choose to just build and create something new with only
fringe tie-ins to current FTN then so be it. I think if they create something
that is seen to be of value and benefit then people will vote with their
'usage' feet.  I sorta feel the shift from EMSI mailers to BinkD is an
example of that over time.

Best, Paul

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