Re: rc.local config question

** Reply to message from Santiago Vila <[email protected]> on Sat, 08 Jan 2005
13:27:17 +0100 (CET)


> On Sat, 8 Jan 2005, Stan Goodman wrote:
> 
> > Santiago Vila wrote:
> > > It is a way to implement closed-loop confirmation of subscriptions,
> > > (aka double opt-in) using cookies, like any modern mailing list manager
> > > is expected to do these days (so that you can't subscribe an address
> > > to the list if you can't read mail sent to such address).
> > 
> > It's my understanding that Smartlist is not really considered by
> > those who know their way around the subject far better than me to
> > fall in the category of "modern mailing list manager". [...]
> 
> Yes, I agree. I did not mean to say that SmartList was a "modern" MLM.
> I really meant the opposite: As SmartList does not have confirmation
> of subscriptions by default, which is a very important feature these
> days, you should probably not use SmartList without the confirm add-on.
> 
> > > Try using a good DNSBL, if you don't use any yet.
> > > cbl.abuseat.org would be a good start.
> > > 
> > > Also, try using a MTA which has HELO checks and use them.
> > 
> > I confess that the initials flummox me (I think I remember the underground
> > rapid transit system in Singapore being called the Metropolitan Transit
> > Authority).
> 
> MTA: Mail Transport Agent, i.e. postfix, exim, sendmail, etc.
> 
> > Worse yet, there does not seem to be a server at cbl.abuseat.org,
> > so I can't hope to find out there.
> 
> http://cbl.abuseat.org
> 
> works for me.

It worked for me too just now. It didn't before, though I had pasted it into
the browser's URL window, and the browser had suppoied the missing "http://".
Perhpas the DNS was down at the moment.

But I am not sure that solutions of this sort are meaningful for me, if I
understand this one correctly. As I explained before, the list server is not on
a machine that is under my control, because it is on the hosting service. I
can't bring it under my control, because I don't run Linux. I'm considering
approaching the hosting service with a request to replace Smartlist with a
different package, written for an environment more like what we have today
(junk, spam, high-school kids without girlfriends who consequently have more
time on their hands than can be spent constructively). 

In the meantime, I will set a filter to protect my inbox from the bounce
messages that the administrator of this list has caused to be directed to its
subscribers. The list shouldn't be part of the problem, as it is.

-- 
Stan Goodman
Qiryat Tiv'on
Israel

"When your enemy falls, do not rejoice." -- Proverbs 24:17

Horse sense is what a horse has that keeps it from betting on people.