Who uses OpenDNS? What is it for?

[Sealbhach]

I use it. I find it faster.


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[blueturtl]

OpenDNS can also be used to circumvent stupid government policy.
Here in Finland we're having web censorship shoved down our throats by blocklists handed to ISPs from government officials/police. The supposed intent is to block child pornography while it has already been found that the blocklists are used to filter out other content as well. One such page was simply a public site that was critizising the blocklist approach and web censorship. So if you live in a country such as China or Finland or possibly one of the former soviet nations -- why not USA today actually -- OpenDNS is your friend if you wish to reach all of web and not just the slice the officials want you to see.

[cyberfin]

Stunningly enough, I found OpenDNS to be slower than my isp's DNS'.

Then again my isp is in the top 5 of Spain's providers. Anyway, what I did find interesting and might be a future option in my houselhold, is that you can filter browsing and setup family filters.

When my daughter grows up to computer age, I will probably use it to setup appropriate filters.

[Izek]

I didn't notice a performance increase much. In fact, I had troubles getting to certain sites after switching to openDNS. So I switched it back to auto, and everything worked better.

[Dr Small]

OpenDNS is great! You can set it up in your router. That is the best way to do it. Then your entire network will use it without having to make any changes on your computers or devices.

I wish I could do that. Unfortunately, my router doesn't support this.

[geoken]

However, it won't be much use to you if you don't have the auto-update IP programs for the service installed, because the DNS needs to be updated with a new IP every time your IP changes ( which is more than likely with a normal ISP ).

Many routers can do that. My netgear, for example, has a section where I can enter my DynDNS account info and it will update my IP every time the router detects it has been changed.

[doorknob60]

I use it because my parents won't l;et me have a computer in my room if it doesn't have parental controls, and OPenDNS provides parental controls and you can "install" (can't think of a better word than that) it to your router and it's free. Also websites do seem to load a little faster, but it might eb just me.

[smartboyathome]

I use OpenDNS at my house because Comcast's DNS isn't very good. This at least gives me some features, versus the bare minimum from Comcast.

[Kernel Sanders]

Just tried this. Epic win. OpenDNS FTW! Internet speed FTW!

[bobbocanfly]

I used to use openDNS but didn't like how it took over the DNS error pages. By default (at least for me) if i type in something like "ubuntu forums" it will do a google "I'm Feeling Lucky" and most of the time land me on the correct page. With OpenDNS it would just direct me to a dodgy OpenDNS search page with not very good results. If there was a way round that, I'd definately start using OpenDNS again.