[ale] Bellsouth DSL

[Geoffrey]

Jim Popovitch wrote:
> On Mon, 2005-01-10 at 06:51 -0500, Geoffrey wrote:
> 
>>Jim Popovitch wrote:
>>
>>>I use Yahoo too (obviously), so why do you need POP3 and SMTP ports open
>>>on your upstream network?
>>
>>It really doesn't matter why he want's it.  Why question freedom to 
>>choose?  
> 
> 
> Well, here's why:  Spammers use dialup, and other cheap lines, to bulk
> email their trash directly to other mailservers.  So, if I run a
> legitimate mailserver. I have to make a choice whether to accept email
> from all of Comcast's IPs or just the ones identified as Comcast's mail
> servers.  If Comcast blocked port 25 then Comcast becomes responsible
> for approving their users behavior, etc., rather then EVERY other
> business.

Unfortunately, it's not something the isp's are going to research much, 
thus they'll basically either block them all or none.  I do like the 
idea of hitting the problem at the source.  I would rather it be dealt 
with before it get's on my box, but a good solution doesn't quite exist 
yet.  Personally, I think that once you've been identified as a spammer, 
then your network access should be removed for a year or so.  Grant it, 
there'll be some who work around it, but making everyone pay the price 
because of a few sleazy jerks is not the right solution.

>>I will say it's quite difficult to test such a setup for a 
>>client if your isp is blocking those ports.
> 
> 
> Your clients should use business solutions, not home solutions.  I know
> of NO ISP that port blocks on business data lines.

I'm referring to initial testing which I don't do from a client's 
network, but from my own.  Regardless, it was hypothetical as I don't 
have such a problem.

For many small businesses a 'home solution' makes sense for many folks, 
particularly when it's run from a residence.  At one time, Bellsouth 
wouldn't even consider business service to a residence.  There are a 
huge number of folks who have residential services and use them for 
business.  Voice and ip.  It makes no sense to pay Bellsouth a higher 
price for the same services because they call it a 'business line.'

-- 
Until later, Geoffrey