1. ISPs do retain data for a limited time for legitimate purposes, but this should be way less than a year.  ISPs should probably be able to use their due diligence in determining the minimum.  It should be enough to catch smoking gun crimes, and beyond that a matter for the marketplace.  I’d tend to prefer the ISPs (where I can vote with my wallet) decide this, than the government mandate it from on high.  Spammers usually change their IPs and often ISPs far more often than yearly, so the extra time can not be justified on these grounds.,

2. I can see an argument for a short legal minimum for certain data, but it should be far less than a year.  Frankly, after SOPA I don’t trust Rep. Lamar Smith to come up with the right figure.  Nor do I think now is the time to rush into it.

3/4. The burden of proof for a search is not as strong as you think.  You don’t need the calibre of evidence you would need for a trial, or even very close to it.  Worse, as far as I know this information would also be available via subpoena in civil trials.

Also, what if someone simply cracks the data? The bill has no requirements for data security, or for notification in case of a breach.  Don’t be misled by the Sense of the Congress text, since this is entirely non-binding (i.e. meaningless).

Finally, you didn’t address the fact that it requires retention of multiple categories of data beyond name and IP, from credit card and bank numbers, to addresses.  A proposed amendment to limit the categories failed, showing that this is about far more than tracking the name of a child pornographer or spammer.

I also think we should be deeply skeptical given the misleading sell.  You may not know this if you only looked at the EFF email.  However, it’s titled “Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011“.  As you realize, though, the law is primarily about data retention, not fighting child pornography.  When someone tells me to vote for “Motherhood and Apple Pie”, I ask what’s in the pie.  A re-written (and significantly limited) bill openly addressing limited data retention would be somewhat different.  Note that there are parts of H.R. 1981 genuinely specific to child pornography (e.g. changing the maximum prison sentence).  These deserve a debate on their own behalf, without being muddled with data retention.

Jump in, the water’s fine!

For over 10 years I battled in local Mexican courts with a US citizen who tried to steal my business including the websites I made. He managed to convince Network Solutions to go against their published policies and cede him control of several of my domain names, but I bought more and put m websites back on them. Then he tried stealing the websites. The worst he could do was copy them and benefit monetarily from my work. The Digital Milennium Copyright Act proved just about worthless, but I didn’t worry. I just kept doing what I do best and I prevailed. Perhaps if the entertainment industry concentrated on producing quality instead of mind-numbing quantity of garbage their sales wouldn’t be suffering. Any free music I download from the ‘net is usually something I paid for back in the 60′s and 70′s at least once. ;~)

Like many aspects of design, eye control is something I think about nearly constantly. It’s also something talked about fairly regularly on web usability sites. I have gotten the most interesting information from reading Jakob Nielsen’s ideas and views on the subject.

That reminds me… I need to add his site to my “Favorite Web Dev Sites” link list.

It is true that pam blocking mechanisms in WordPress are pretty strong.

You took right decision…I appreciate your work..