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  1. Gherkin ☑️ Gherkin ☑️

    Why does "Work Offline" even exist

    Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:16:58 UTC from web
    1. Omni Omni

      @thelastgherkin Because there are still cases in which you do not have a constant Internet connection?

      Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:18:24 UTC from web
      1. RedEnchilada (notice the lack of a space) RedEnchilada (notice the lack of a space)

        @omni Only if you're POOR

        Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:20:31 UTC from web
        1. Omni Omni

          @redenchilada Or if you have a crappy ISP. We disconnect every now and then for no real reason because UPC is a TERRIBLY CRAPPY ISP. YOU HEAR THAT UPC? YOU SUCK!

          Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:21:34 UTC from web
        2. Pony Pony

          @redenchilada @omni @thelastgherkin or if a zombie apocalypse wipes out the internet.

          Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:22:58 UTC from web
          1. Omni Omni

            @pony Or if the government flicks the kill-switch (like the Egyptian government did once).

            Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:23:45 UTC from web
            1. Pony Pony

              @omni I've no clue how that'd work, but I wouldn't put it past terrorists to try and wipe out the main nodes or whatever that connect us.

              Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:29:22 UTC from web
            2. Pony Pony

              @omni is there such a switch in the US though? I guess there would be..

              Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:37:26 UTC from web
              1. Omni Omni

                @pony They only need to shut down the DNS servers to make it impossible for systems to turn URLs (like rainbowdash.net) into their respective IP addresses (like 108.61.19.67). It doesn't really block the Internet, but it's effective enough to lock 99% of the people out, and only have the well-prepared geeks able to use it.

                Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:41:42 UTC from web
                1. Pony Pony

                  @omni oh yeah absolutely. But to make it impossible for anybody to use the internet I wonder how that'd work. And speaking of.. how /would/ one prepare for a DNS shutdown like that?

                  Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:52:19 UTC from MuSTArDroid
                  1. Omni Omni

                    @pony The easiest way to shut down the Internet completely is to force the ISPs to block all connections, but not all ISPs may listen. The easiest way to survive a DNS shutdown is by remembering "8.8.8.8". That's the URL to Google's DNS server. Assuming Google won't have to shut their servers down, you should be able to configure your system to use that as your DNS server (how depends on your OS) and everything should work just fine. I think Tor also uses IP addresses, so if you have Tor installed you should be able to survive by browsing through Tor. You could also use something like Freenet to browse an "alternative" Internet, but how much that would help in such a situation is not clear. In any rate, I'm afraid they'll see you're still using the web and try to hunt you down. I can censor what I visit using Tor, but that doesn't mean I won't generate any traffic at all. I'm not sure how to make sure you're safe in that case.

                    Monday, 26-Nov-12 22:00:31 UTC from web
                    1. Pony Pony

                      @omni I'm not too worried about being hunted unless terrorists take over the governmen-- oh wait I guess they have already.. My main interest is in guarding against catastrophe in any case. :3

                      Monday, 26-Nov-12 22:04:08 UTC from web
      2. Gherkin ☑️ Gherkin ☑️

        @omni If I did not have a constant internet connection, surely I'd just have intermittent service? Why would I need to specify when I want something to not work even further?

        Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:21:08 UTC from web
        1. Omni Omni

          @thelastgherkin The button is there so it stop nagging you with error messages, I believe.

          Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:22:42 UTC from web
          1. Gherkin ☑️ Gherkin ☑️

            @omni Error messages like "You are currently in offline mode; to view this page turn that off"?

            Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:23:43 UTC from web
            1. Omni Omni

              @thelastgherkin I thought you were talking about Microsoft Outlook.

              Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:27:52 UTC from web
              1. Gherkin ☑️ Gherkin ☑️

                @omni Who the frig uses Outlook

                Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:30:08 UTC from web
                1. Omni Omni

                  @thelastgherkin My mom.

                  Monday, 26-Nov-12 21:30:55 UTC from web
    2. Omni Omni

      @juicyorange That's the same thing people in Egypt thought. What makes you so sure they won't?

      Monday, 26-Nov-12 22:07:41 UTC from MuSTArDroid
    3. Omni Omni

      @juicyorange With all respect, we're talking about the American government here. We've seen them tell other countries had "weapons of mass destruction" to get their oil, and having tried to pass various SOPA-like laws. I see them capable of doing this, and I'm pretty sure time will prove me right sooner or later.

      Monday, 26-Nov-12 22:19:30 UTC from web
      1. Gherkin ☑️ Gherkin ☑️

        @omni Does the American government have ANY due respect?

        Monday, 26-Nov-12 22:20:25 UTC from web
    4. Omni Omni

      @juicyorange I was talking more about the American government. Most western governments seem at the point where they would only censor, and not shut everything down, but Germany is advancing rapidly towards more and more control over the Internet, so I'm quite worried about Germany right now. I should create an "Internet apocalypse" kit for my owner, in case it does go wrong.

      Monday, 26-Nov-12 22:23:44 UTC from web