Re: Bystander shot by a spam filter.

[Harry Tabak]

Subject: Re: Bystander shot by a spam filter.
Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2002 09:19:32 -0600 (CST)
From: Chuck Rock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Harry Tabak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]

There's not much you can do but what you already are doing. Complain.

You complain to the people using the software, and if they can't
configure it, they will probably stop using it if they care.

I know only one user, that is how I discovered the problem. I have no way of identifying other users. That frightens me.

You complain to the people that actually wrote the software. Usually found
in the source code and such.

Unfortunately, the author hasn't replied to my complaints yet. Possibly she has taken a holiday.

You can try to complain to FreeBSD Ports, but removing this goes against
the very nature of "Open Source" Good or bad, there's not much to convince
people not to distribute a piece of software that's free and
open.

There is a significant difference between this port and the others. My other ports at worst only harm the intended user when things go wrong. This port harms random and anonymous individuals. I don't believe that FreeBSD redistributes spamming software or list managers that don't provide the proper opt-in safeguards by default.

I can't really stop the Spambouncer people from shouting "fire" from their own website -- freedom of speech and all that. But should FreeBSD act as an amplifier.

Everyone knows when they install these softwares that you do so at
your own risk. If your ISP is spending money to support problems caused by
it's use and they have control over it, they will probably stop using
it. Most ISP's care about expenses, so you can bet if it's not worth
using, they will eventually stop.

If you have any capacity, you can attempt to fix the program, and submit
it to the author for distribution. This is how Open Source works.

I will be happy to fix it, the author may not like my philosophy. I believe in Free Speech and a working internet mail system. I would attempt to minimize "false positives", and require testing. But as I said earlier, the author doesn't respond. Even if the software is adjusted, it will be impossible to recall all the older versions.

If people would stop sending spam or harden their computers connected to
the Internet to keep from sending spam accidentally, there would be no
need for this software either. Might as well wish for world peace though.

amen. Unfortuately, good people are making a bad situation even worse by "hip-shooting".

Chuck

<snip>


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