Just picked this up from HamSpots:
Due to increased abuse of the Cluster Network by spam auto-spots generated by the ROS software. HamSpots will no longer provide a Local Spot & Chat facility for the promotion of the ROS mode. HamSpots will no longer report a consolidated view of ROS Cluster spots. All ROS Cluster spots have been removed from other HamSpots pages. Effective: 16-July-2010, 2100utc Wonder what this software is really up to? From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com [mailto:digitalra...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of W2XJ Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:36 PM To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [digitalradio] New question Andy You make a lot more sense than some of the children in this group who want to just whine to the FCC and ARRL. On 7/15/10 6:15 PM, "Andy obrien" <k3uka...@gmail.com> wrote: The comment in parenthesis in number 8 are the comments that reflect my view of why this fine software and mode are not worth the hassle. Andy K3UK On Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 5:22 PM, Jim, N1SZ <n...@japierson.com> wrote: Dave & All, No, I was thinking the same thing. Let's take a look at some significant "red flags" with the ROS software: 1.) Special code added in apparent anger to keep critics from using the software (although reportedly removed in recent versions) 2.) Won't make the source code open for public inspection (not that it is 100% required, but it would allay a lot of concerns about the software) 3.) Requires Gmail e-mail account and password - (giving such things away would make any IT security professional lose their mind). is this still the case? 4.) PDF literature provided by Jose had PDF file signatures and "Authored by" signature of another well know digital mode author in Jose's own work... I wonder how that happened? 5.) Automatically sends messages to a hard coded list of servers. and possibly other places? 6.) Apparently sends bogus callsigns and spots to various reflectors 7.) Gives users little if any control over the software's spotting to the internet 8.) Now, after "going away" for a short time, has a new version that if you try and defeat the automatic spotting with a firewall, it automatically shuts down. (Sounds like a child's temper tantrum to me.) Well, I've make it known that I've been suspicious of Jose's intentions all along, but if this all seems "Normal" to you and doesn't bother you.. I say good luck and press on with your use of ROS. But from my limited interactions in the world of IT security, it sure sets off a lot of alarms and warning signs to me. Jim N1SZ
