[cap-talk] Capabilities and Freedom vs. Safety

[Jonathan S. Shapiro]

On Mon, 2007-07-23 at 10:05 +0200, Marcus Brinkmann wrote:
> This software will not be confined, but require an
> internet connection for tracking and billing purposes.

There has been a continuing confusion about the term "confinement" in
recent discussion, so I want to correct your statement above. This is
purely an issue of terminology, not an objection to your point.

Correction: the information you give (that the software requires an
internet connection) is not sufficient to determine whether the software
is confined. If the user authorizes this connection, the software
remains confined. Confinement does not require that the software be
unable to leak information. It only requires that all connections be
authorized.

Norm hardy uses the term "discreet" to refer to subsystems that are
unable to [overtly] disclose information that is given them.


shap