I got a lot done at work today. I am getting closer to completing my project. I have pretty much gotten each piece to work independently. I only anticipate a few more hurdles, which include writing a script to run everything together. Once I learn how to do that, completing the project should be a few hours of work away.

On another note, ITS/IMSS Security (Caltech's network administrators) has determined that my computer be disconnected from the Internet, citing security concerns. It appears that people have been abusing the Tor network for illegal purposes and some of the traffic had been coming out of my node. I am trying to convince to let me keep the node and let traffic exit, but being more security minded, they are pushing back. Eventually I hope to find a balance. I have already had to restrict the traffic because of DMCA takedown notices. I would like to submit counter-notices and see what they say to that. However, I do not have the time right now to win a lawsuit against them. Now the problems appear to be people using Tor to send signals to zombie controls through IRC.

http://tor.eff.org/overview.html.en gives a good overview of the concept and uses of Tor. I will continue to fight to support our government, our military, and our law enforcement, all of whom use Tor, as much as I can. I hate to see Tor used to hide illegal activity, but the consequences of shutting it down could be drastic. The costs of running Tor are measured in dollars. The costs of not running Tor are measured in lives and freedom.
Quote of the Week: "We've been at war so long, sometimes we forget what we're fighting for. To raise our kids in peace, enjoy each other's company, live life as people again."

We can't give our rights in order to protect them. Like all things all things, a balance will be established. Unfortunately big business and FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) is tipping the scales against personal freedoms. More updates on this Tor thing as stuff happens. At the worst case, I'll just run a relay node with no exits. I need people out there (outside of Caltech) to run exit nodes to provide access points for people using the Tor network, as Caltech seems to unwilling to support freedom.