URL protection - make OPTIONAL

I definetly understand the need of some people to protect the URLs they use for audio and video.

However, I would still like to have the option to allow people to see the audio and video URLs that I place in my parcel. For some certain uses, sharing the URLs can be a very practical (and fun!) thing to do.

Please enable the -option- to turn audio/video sharing for parcels.

Well, you can share without having to get LL to code things, can you not?

And?

Well, they are pretty busy..

The problem I see here, is it would be pretty easy to circumvent any masking by using the TCP/IP tools installed on every OS (see netstat -an)

It might help to curb some users, but really wouldn't change anything IMHO.

Well, not if they're using virtual hosting with multiple domains, netstat will not work.

Still - just in sake of remaining on-topic: I'd like to see an option that will allow us to unmask the URL in the land properties window.

I agree with Crystalshard

me too!

Yeah, heck, I'll join in too and say I agree.

CHECKBOXES NOT RADIO BUTTONS!

An option is a valid choice . . .

Pete is right, anything that can inspect the source/dest, or a full-blown packetsniffer would totally do it, seeing how LL isn't hosting the content, and that would be a seperate stream to your machine. You wouldn't be able to hide it, even if the client did to a degree.

right. but how many SL users know how to steal a stream address from INSIDE SL? a lot! yup.

how many SL users know how to sniff the stream address from OUTSIDE SL? significantly fewer! uhuh. thats what I thought you'd say. so then it's worth it, right?

Yes and provide a warning that hiding the URL does not protect their streams or IP addresses - it will just make you "feel" slightly better.

Yeah, I was just being strictly technical about it - you are right, most casual users won't bother if they can't get it through some easier mechanism.

Allow me the geek-out factor once in a while

I don't care either way. If it is hidden, I can give people the URL in a dozen other ways. No biggie.

Hi Crystalshard
I am puzzled why you need Linden software to help you tell your friends something.
But if you do, I have a very simple suggestion. Stick up a little notice.
Or if the url is not too long, put it in the land name.
Or just chat to them about it.
Or put a list of your favorite urls in your profile notes.

Please dont try to deflect LL from spending time on features people need.

I was one who wanted video url masking. We got it.

I'm grateful, but I need audio url masking before I stream from my own audio from home.

I'm sorry Crystal, but LL's effort should better go into implementing audio URL masking than into what you are asking. For the first, you have many other ways of achieving this. For the second, I have no way of masking it myself.

Also, your suggestion is more technically difficult, as the window has to be newly laid out with an extra button or tickbox. masking is just sticking a line of ******** into an existing box. Its done for video in the same window already.

PLEASE can we just have the same for audio ? Then I'll start streaming from home again.

Yes, Jack, I know. I'll be wallowing in my naive false sense of security !

I am puzzled by this suggestion of warning notices, that masking the url does not provide full protection.

If you want the UI peppered with warnings and explanations it would quickly become unmanageable.

Surely on that basis, if the url is unmasked, it should have a little essay next to it, pointing out that
a) it is against the TOS to seek to uncover the RL identity of another player, uncluding researching his url
b) that copying another persons stream may be stealing from him by incresing his bandwidth costs without permission.

We cant start down that road. The UI must be compact and minimal.

Also, it would in my opinion irresponsible to insist on alerting the uninformed to the possibility that the possibility of breaching others security exists.

95% of people would not think of it unless alerted. 99% of people wont read any of these threads.

Just put functionality into th User Interface. Put warnings and alerts in the manuals.

PLEASE LL, mask the audio url, and ignore all these deflections and distractions. I feel I need it, if only to protect my paid-for stream against the casual cut-and-paster, and others feel the same.

One of the coolest things about streaming was that I was introduced to new music. I would fly around, copy/paste the IP into winamp if I loved the station. Every station I copy/pasted eventually played their station ID and told me what website they had. One of my favourites was somafm.com. I donated money and continue to listen at work.

It DOES provide protection against the casual cut-and-paster.
Thats all I'm saying, but thats justification enough.

There are so many of them. Who hasn't done it in the past ?

You are right, of course, Jack, on that. I've had the same experience. I submit. Put in the option if possible.

But I stick to my point. Optional would be best, but if its not possible, mask it.

I'm just wary of pestering LL for too much.

It shouldn't be masked at all. I'd like to know the story on why this was added so quick in the first place. Features should not be in the client if dozens of business could make money selling authentication systems. It'll be impossible now because people assume it's "Safe enough".

Its done. Release candidate 2 has asterisk blanking just as for the media url.

Its nice to think that we influence them, but in my opinion all we do is put up suggestions. Its LL who appraise them, weigh the evidence, and decide for themselves. Exactly as it should be.

Thank you.

I am still puzzled at the heated reaction against having the ability to choose between masking and not masking.

Indeed - what an odd thing to get worked up about.

It'd be less amazing if they where discussing the option addition over the fact that it's hidden (which was in preview 1.6.0.6 or so... not just RC2.) when the topic's adding an option to do so, not arguing the aristic existance in a should or shouldn't fashion. The option to do so would win the argument both ways, so quit arguing about weather or not they should be starred or visible, and just... discuss the option, not the semantics.