FR DNS problems...

today | self

[general_re]

DNS lookups failing for FR here - no such host. Apparently I'm not the only one, judging from a glance at the Yahoo FR board. Dunno if it's my ISP (Verizon) or what, but I had to manually edit the hosts file to get here. Presumably, if you can post, you're not having this problem, but there are more than a few people who can't post right now because of it...

[steveegg]

Results with reworking the hosts file do vary from computer to computer. JohnRob's reworking of the login procedure works for those who don't want to/can't rework the hosts file.

[Enduring Freedom]

Think the Kristinn incident at the 9/11 hearings got them riled?

I hope so, because the timing is highly suspicious.

I want the FBI involved.

[John Robinson]

Somebody complained to ICANN about an invalid phone number on our domain. ICANN pressed GKG into action. GKG said they e-mailed us Feb 2nd and then again Mar 17th with no response. Today GKG suspended our domain.

The real stupid thing is, while it is true there is a 555 number on one of the contacts, there is another valid number listed in three locations. In all four locations (above the 555 number and the valid number) is the same PO box address. And there are two distinct e-mail addresses listed in the four locations.

Somebody was splitting hairs.

[steveegg]

It should stay stable. Once ICANN/GKG get off their "brains" and update the DNS servers, you can remove the manual assignment of www.freerepublic.com from the hosts file or leave it there (I don't see the IP changing).

[HairOfTheDog]

ROTFL!

[steveegg]

It goes a bit further back than the Kristinn incident (that is, if GKG can be believed).

[Mo1]

FR withdrawls are the worst!

Tell me about it :0)

[CedarDave]

Thanks for the info and the followup by someone to save the "hosts" file without a suffix.

Also, thanks to the Yahoo group. I tried to sign up, but it wanted a credit card number to "prove" I was over 18. I am over 18 by a number of times, and refuse to give a credit card just to post there. Obviously some of you are more trusting of your credit card numbers than I am.

[general_re]

Suddenly ICANN gives a damn about that stuff? And decided to use you as their whipping boy? I call bull**** - if I had a nickel for every record with obviously bogus contact info, I'd be up to my eyeballs in nickels...

[steveegg]

Somebody was splitting hairs.

Understatement of 2004. Nitpick over one 555 number, then not use either the non-555 numbers or snail mail to try to get a hold of you is a bit more than just "splitting hairs"; it reeks of double-secret probation.

[John Robinson]

Somebody filed a complaint with ICANN. I don't know who it is, but I bet I can tell you how they voted for president.

[CedarDave]

It's obvious that you did something right: you posted here!!

[demlosers]

..it also shows that a lot of users don't want to or don't know how to mess with their HOSTS file.

It's easy to do and only takes 1 minute.

[John Robinson]

Just remember to undo it ASAP. If you forget and we change IP addresses you'll be lost.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Apparently Jim fixed things so that one could get in by using the numbers. This didn't work earlier.

[general_re]

So when is ICANN going after the other million or so domains that have intentionally bogus contact info?

What a crock. I betcha you'll see someone gloating about knocking it offline somewhere, and then you'll have your mystery voter.

[Mears]

bump

[TexasGunLover]

Just remember that editing the HOSTS file will not work if you're using a http proxy server (like @ some workplaces).

Also remember that once the problem is solved, it can take time for the changes to propagate throughout the DNS servers. So it may work for some folks and not others for a while.

[Island Girl]

OK, I'm finally able to login! Rather than going to the trouble of messing with the HOSTS file, I just manually entered the IP address and then bookmarked it. Easy peasy.

[spectre]

THANK YOU!

It worked :~)

sw