Posted by linolevan 1/19/2026
Wherever possible I compile with gethostbyname instead of getaddrinfo. I use musl instead of glibc
Nothing against IPv6 but I do not use it on the computers and networks I control
For example, from another story (about IP addresses) on today's HN front page:
For example,
tinydns (only uses gethostbyname)
nsd (--disable-ipv6)
I compile static binaries with musl. I do not use glibc
When compiling software written by others, sometimes there are compile-time options that allow not using getaddrinfo or IPv6
For example,
links (--without-getaddrinfo)
haproxy (USE_GETADDRINFO="")
tnftp (--disable-ipv6)
elinks (--disable-ipv6)
wolfssl (ipv6 disabled by default)
stunnel (--disable-ipv6)
socat (--disable-ipv6)
and many more
Together with localhost TLS forward proxy I also use lots of older software that only used gethostbyname, e.g., original netcat, ucspi-tcp, libwww, original links, etc.
Generally I avoid mobile OS (corporate OS for data collection, surveillance and ad services)
Mobile data is disabled. I almost never use cellular networks for internet
Mobile sucks for internet IMHO; I have zero expectation re: speed and I cannot control what ISPs choose to do
For me, non-corporate UNIX-like OS are smaller, faster, easier to control, more interesting
It's surprising how something so simple can be so broken.