A triple hurray for Mr. List. Let us raise our virtual glasses to Mr. List
Tim Mostly harmless (just plain Norwegian) Never underestimate the power of stupidity in large crowds (Very freely after Arthur C. Clarke, or some other clever guy) > -----Original Message----- > From: Doug Brewer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: 28. april 2006 15:22 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: no messages... > > The PDML server has landed back on the SpamCop blacklist, and I'm sure > others (haven't checked yet). This has been somewhat of a puzzlement to > me, because with SpamCop it has to be reported. Since it's a closed > list, and the only recipients have to =ask= to get the email, who would > report it as spam? hmmm... > > So yesterday I'm staring at the screen, and it comes to me. The server > =is= sending out spam. The script I have to reject HTML/enriched > text/etc sends back a bounce message. Many of you have seen these > messages-- "please send your message in Plain Text.."-- so you'll know > what happened to your message. > > The problem here is that an incredible amount of real spam bombards the > list address daily. Most of it is enriched in some way. And here is the > key: spammers generally use spoofed (fake) return addresses to make > themselves harder to track. The addresses used are generally legit > addresses with spam blocking enabled. > > So... > > When the PDML server bounces the spam, it doesn't go back to the > spammer, it goes, in all its enriched glory, to the address listed in > the headers, thus ticking off spam filters worldwide and being reported > to the various blacklists. > > My task today is to adjust the bounce procedure to not include the > original message, or, failing that, to just eat the offending message > and not responding at all. The downside to that, of course, will mean > that you must remember to set your PDML messages to Plain Text, or they > will just disappear. > > I hate to have to do that, but in the interest of better, more > consistent, delivery of the PDML traffic, I will. > > It is my fervent hope that my mucking about in the code will not > adversely affect the continued operation of the PDML server, but in the > event of an outage, I do have everything backed up as a Plan B list, and > can switch to that while I continue working. > > And speaking of work, I have to do all this while also attempting to > accomplish real work-related work while I am here at work. (!) > > Thanks for your patience and continued support, > > Doug > List Guy > now, what happens is I push =this= button...? > > > mike wilson wrote: > > .... since about middle of the evening yesterday - about 12 hours ago. > > > > Archive seems to be working, so I know the list is functioning in some > way. > > > > Is it something I said? > > > > mike >
