Re: Site Finder

[Michael Moscovitch <michaelm () citenet net>]

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Wayne E. Bouchard wrote:

> Yes, I will heartily agree with this. Having this functionality be
> triggered by a wildcard in the DNS records is the wrong approach. It's
> the application that should be taking care of this
>
> if (NXDOMAIN)
>   redirect(preferences->sitefinder_host, url);


I agree that an application level solution at the edge is the best.

I like the idea of having a user configurable parameter in the client
browser to allow the ``finder'' URL to be set. The browser
``manufacturer'' would of course put their own default and the ISP would
be able to ``configure'' their own defaults and the
end user could ``change'' it to suit their preferences.

This would allow competing ``URL finder'' type services, allow ISPs to
fine tune the interface for their customers and allow end users to
customize their own interface to the ``web''.

Maybe its time for some ``finder'' API specifications,
mozilla patches, and ``finder'' reference implementations.


All of which would probably be off-topic for this forum. :)


+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Michael Moscovitch                                CiteNet Telecom Inc.   |
| michaelm () citenet net                              Tel: (514) 861-5050    |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+


> If verisigin wants to partner with someone to actually host the
> sitefinder site but have some switch integrated into like
> IE/Netscape/whatever to use that site, I have no problem with this. It
> becomes a choice of the individual user to use it and the rest of us
> don't get screwed by something we have no control over.
>
> On Thu, Oct 16, 2003 at 04:07:53PM +0100, Ray Bellis wrote:
> > Quoting Rusty Lewis from
> > http://verisign.com/corporate/news/2003/pr_20031007b.html?sl=070804
> >
> > "We will continue to take feedback from both Internet users and the
> > technical community on how we can ensure that the service is available
> > for the many Internet users who clearly like it."
> >
> > Well that's very simple Rusty - stop screwing around with *our* DNS and
> > write a plugin for IE to catch NXDOMAIN, just like the Google toolbar
> > does.
> >
> > That'll allow 90% of the browsing population a *choice*, something the
> > wildcard clearly does not.
> >
> > Ray
> >
> > --
> > Ray Bellis, MA(Oxon) - Technical Director
> > community internet plc - ts.com Ltd
> >
> > Windsor House, 12 High Street, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 2PJ
> > tel:  +44 1865 856000   email: ray.bellis () community net uk
> > fax:  +44 1865 856001     web: http://www.community.net.uk/
>
> ---
> Wayne Bouchard
> web () typo org
> Network Dude
> http://www.typo.org/~web/