Open Name System: Extending DNS with the Blockchain

This is the first attempt I've seen at using a blockchain for DNS. Looks like an amazing solution to an increasingly desperate problem (as DNS takedowns are the preferred method for internet censorship).

Re: Open Name System: Extending DNS with the Blockchain

#5

Post by gtirloni » Wed, Jul 23, 2014, 3:59 PM UTC

Why should we base critical infrastructure on completely anonymous building blocks? There is no mention about who is working on this, their motivations, the domain is behind WhoisGuard, etc. Why is it so critical to become anonymous as a developer in this case? Perhaps I'm missing something but is the FBI/CIA going after anyone working on blockchain/crypto stuff nowadays?

It feels like asking for transparency, but only from others. Same reason I can't truly trust Bitcoin, it's as shady as my bank's processes.

Re: Open Name System: Extending DNS with the Blockchain

#6

Post by ryangittins » Wed, Jul 23, 2014, 4:12 PM UTC

gtirloni wrote: post #5

Why should we base critical infrastructure on completely anonymous building blocks? There is no mention about who is working on this, their motivations, the domain is behind WhoisGuard, etc. Why is it so critical to become anonymous as a developer in this case? Perhaps I'm missing something but is the FBI/CIA going after anyone working on blockchain/crypto stuff nowadays? It feels like asking for transparency, but on…

I like the idea they're going for here, but I agree. For something like this to work, it should be as transparent as possible and easy to audit.

Could you elaborate on your point on Bitcoin? I'm not an expert, but I have some experience with it and it seems to be pretty thoroughly open, transparent, and auditable. It's certainly more clear than banking processes.

Re: Open Name System: Extending DNS with the Blockchain

#7

Post by VMG » Wed, Jul 23, 2014, 4:21 PM UTC

gtirloni wrote: post #5

Why should we base critical infrastructure on completely anonymous building blocks? There is no mention about who is working on this, their motivations, the domain is behind WhoisGuard, etc. Why is it so critical to become anonymous as a developer in this case? Perhaps I'm missing something but is the FBI/CIA going after anyone working on blockchain/crypto stuff nowadays? It feels like asking for transparency, but on…

> Perhaps I'm missing something but is the FBI/CIA going after anyone working on blockchain/crypto stuff nowadays?

There's some evidence they're monitoring people who are interested in Tor and the Tails Linux distribution. There's very good reason to assume that working on crypto stuff gets you on a list.

Re: Open Name System: Extending DNS with the Blockchain

#8

Post by eric_bullington » Wed, Jul 23, 2014, 4:24 PM UTC

misterbishop wrote: post #4

This is the first attempt I've seen at using a blockchain for DNS. Looks like an amazing solution to an increasingly desperate problem (as DNS takedowns are the preferred method for internet censorship).

One of the first uses of blockchain technology for a non-financial application was an alternative domain name registration system called Namecoin, started back in 2010 and still active.

Granted, that was an alternative domain name system, not an ICANN extension like this one. And it used a separate blockchain and coin (Namecoin), not the Bitcoin blockchain, which may be what you were referring to.

Nonetheless, I feel compelled to mention Namecoin in any discussion about the history of blockchain technology and DNS. (incidentally, Namecoin was also the first altcoin)

Re: Open Name System: Extending DNS with the Blockchain

#9

Post by joebadmo » Wed, Jul 23, 2014, 4:27 PM UTC

gtirloni wrote: post #5

Why should we base critical infrastructure on completely anonymous building blocks? There is no mention about who is working on this, their motivations, the domain is behind WhoisGuard, etc. Why is it so critical to become anonymous as a developer in this case? Perhaps I'm missing something but is the FBI/CIA going after anyone working on blockchain/crypto stuff nowadays? It feels like asking for transparency, but on…

At the bottom:

"currently maintained by the team at onename.io"

https://onename.io/about

There's also links to the github repos.

Re: Open Name System: Extending DNS with the Blockchain

#10

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jul 23, 2014, 4:29 PM UTC

gtirloni wrote: post #5

Why should we base critical infrastructure on completely anonymous building blocks? There is no mention about who is working on this, their motivations, the domain is behind WhoisGuard, etc. Why is it so critical to become anonymous as a developer in this case? Perhaps I'm missing something but is the FBI/CIA going after anyone working on blockchain/crypto stuff nowadays? It feels like asking for transparency, but on…

[deleted]