Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#1

Post by aaronjanse » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 2:27 AM UTC

Hey HN,

I saw a thread a while ago (linked in README) discussing how Wikipedia does a good job keeping track of the domains of websites like Sci-Hub or The Pirate Bay. Someone mentioned checking Wikipedia to find links to these sites, so I thought this would be a fun thing to automate!

To try it out, install an extension or modify your hosts file, then type in the name of a website with the TLD `.idk`.

For example: scihub.idk -> sci-hub.tw

Cheers!

Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia
github.com

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#2

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 2:49 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#3

Post by upgoat » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 2:54 AM UTC

Woah this is hecka cool!! Nice work to the authors.

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#4

Post by erikig » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 3:49 AM UTC

Interesting idea but:

- How do you handle ambiguity? e.g what happens when sci-hub.idk and scihub.idk differ?

- Aren’t you concerned by the fact that Wikipedia is open to editing by the public?

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#5

Post by leoh » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 4:02 AM UTC

Nice work! Sometimes I seem to be directed to a wikipedia page as opposed to a URL. For example, with `aaronsw.idk` or `google.idk`. I wonder why that's the case?

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#6

Post by O_H_E » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 4:09 AM UTC

leoh wrote: post #5

Nice work! Sometimes I seem to be directed to a wikipedia page as opposed to a URL. For example, with `aaronsw.idk` or `google.idk`. I wonder why that's the case?

I think it directs to the correct link when it is labeled `URL` in wiki. In the other cases the link is labeled `Website`.

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#7

Post by captn3m0 » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 4:33 AM UTC

erikig wrote: post #4

Interesting idea but: - How do you handle ambiguity? e.g what happens when sci-hub.idk and scihub.idk differ? - Aren’t you concerned by the fact that Wikipedia is open to editing by the public?

Maybe use WikiData? The slower rate of updates might work in your favour to avoid vandalism.

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#8

Post by Polylactic_acid » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 4:46 AM UTC

Its incredible how insane this seems from the title but how practical it sounds from the readme..

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#9

Post by renewiltord » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 4:47 AM UTC

This is hecka cool. What a clever concept! I like the idea of piggy-backing on top of a mechanism that is sort of kept in the right state by consensus.

Re: Show HN: DNS over Wikipedia

#10

Post by abiogenesis » Mon, Apr 06, 2020, 4:50 AM UTC

Nitpicking: Technically it's not DNS as it doesn't resolve names to addresses. Maybe CNAME over Wikipedia?