Wikileaks, not really a wiki? Options

[thekohser]

I've finally taken some time to look into Wikileaks.org -- and boy, does it take some time to look into, thanks to page-loading speeds that would make a tortoise proud.

I don't see any mechanism for registering an account with the site, and therefore, I wonder whether there is any "community" editing going on. It appears that there is, but there's no "edit" function. So, are the various IPs that are editing Wikileaks all "insider" accounts that have been granted access to the edit button? I don't quite get it.

[GlassBeadGame]

Per NPR this morning: The administration is asking WL to "do the right thing" and not post the remaining 15,000 documents. They go on to indicate that failing that some sort action would be forthcoming. WL has posted a large encrypted document entitle "insurance." The journalist didn't know what to make of this. Maybe WL is distributing this now and will provide a key later if any action is taken against them?

Add: Googled "Wiki Leaks insurance" it looks like the insurance file has been posted since at least July 30.

[NuclearWarfare]

Per NPR this morning: The administration is asking WL to "do the right thing" and not post the remaining 15,000 documents. They go on to indicate that failing that some sort action would be forthcoming. WL has posted a large encrypted document entitle "insurance." The journalist didn't know what to make of this. Maybe WL is distributing this now and will provide a key later if any action is taken against them?

Add: Googled "Wiki Leaks insurance" it looks like the insurance file has been posted since at least July 30.

Cyrptome explains a bit more. It seems to be insurance in case the site is taken down, either by court order or physical seizure. I wouldn't be surprised if Cryptome or even a lawyer unconnected thus far to Wikileaks had access to the decryption key.

[GlassBeadGame]

Per NPR this morning: The administration is asking WL to "do the right thing" and not post the remaining 15,000 documents. They go on to indicate that failing that some sort action would be forthcoming. WL has posted a large encrypted document entitle "insurance." The journalist didn't know what to make of this. Maybe WL is distributing this now and will provide a key later if any action is taken against them?

Add: Googled "Wiki Leaks insurance" it looks like the insurance file has been posted since at least July 30.

Cyrptome explains a bit more. It seems to be insurance in case the site is taken down, either by court order or physical seizure. I wouldn't be surprised if Cryptome or even a lawyer unconnected thus far to Wikileaks had access to the decryption key.

I might be giving WL too much credit but my take on them is that they are not completely in the camp of internet libertarian extremists. I base this on their pre-releasing the war dump to select mainstream outlets and holding back some material for further vetting. They seem like Indy-Media...one foot in a more socially responsible and truly progressive camp. Cyrptome seems peopled by folks who live inside a Neal Stephenson novel. Hopefully they just downloaded the files so they can later join in the fray and aren't a real part of WLs camp. The problem is that Assange is getting a lot of adulation from the libertarian extremists right now.