Re: [TCLUG:15996] FAQ - Posting, helping newbies?

[Blayne Puklich <blayne@puklich.com>]

Folks, this is usually easier than you think.  Just have the users set 
their reply-to address in their MUA to something that this ISP accepts 
mail for, such as ``newbie@a.com.''  I've done this for years and, if 
I'm subscribed correctly, it works fine.

The most you should have to do is fix the screwed up addresses, or have 
them unsubscribe and resubscribe with the right reply-to.

On Tue, 11 Apr 2000 18:23:18 CDT Adam Maloney wrote:
> If their ISP is too stubborn to fix this problem, they are basically
> denying full service to their clients.  The TCLUGer should get another
> ISP.  It's like when an ISP gets elected into the RBL and customers
> can't exchange mail with anyone.  It's the ISP's responsibility to fix
> the problem, otherwise they're just hurting themselves.
> 
> I can't think of any security reasons not to rewrite the from header. 
> They probably just don't know how to do it.  The only thing close to an
> excuse would be more difficulty in tracking down where an e-mail was
> sent from, but even that isn't enough to justify this.

It's still in the headers for the most part unless they get fancy and 
rewrite all that as well.

> You should have the TCLUG member encourage the ISP to fix the problem. 
> If the ISP doesn't agree to fulfill the needs of the user, then the user
> should decide whether the extra hassle is worth staying with them, or if
> they should find another ISP.
> 
> Bob Tanner wrote:
> > 
> > Anyone have any wonderful ideas on how to help newbies when it comes to
> > posting to the list?
> > 
> > I can do the FAQ posting thing, but most of the people who fall into this
> > category have an ISP that is not properly(?) re-writting the from address.
> > 
> > For example, an unnamed ISP has several shell machines that TCLUG members p
> ost
> > from, let's call them shell.a.com, shell2.a.com, and shell3.a.com.
> > 
> > Newbie member subscribes to the list from shell.a.com, the ISP does not
> > re-write the from so what get subscribed to the list is 'newbie@shell.a.com
> '.
> > 
> > Of course what happens is newbie logs into shell2.a.com, posts to the list
> > and get rejects because the from address is 'newbie@shell2.a.com'
> > 
> > I have called and talked to the ISP and they say will not change the behavi
> or
> > of the machines because of security(?) reasons.
> > 
> > Any ideas?
> > 
> > I really do not want to go around and subscribe every combo of newbie and
> > shell machines at the ISP. I also do not want open posting, as in allowing
> > anyone to post to the list and not be subscribed.
> > 
> > Ideas?
> > 
> > Any qmail/ezmlm gurus out there that could write some ezmlm rules for a new
> > address like 'tclug-test@mn-linux.org' that would simply return to the send
> er
> > their header?
> > 
> > I think it would help newbies understand that when they subscribe
> > 'newbie@shell.a.com' that it's different then 'newbie@shell1.a.com'.
> > 
> > --
> > Bob Tanner <tanner@real-time.com>       | Phone : (612)943-8700
> > http://www.real-time.com                | Fax   : (612)943-8500
> > Key fingerprint =  6C E9 51 4F D5 3E 4C 66 62 A9 10 E5 35 85 39 D9
> > 
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To unsubscribe, e-mail: tclug-list-unsubscribe@mn-linux.org
> > For additional commands, e-mail: tclug-list-help@mn-linux.org
> 
> -- 
> Adam Maloney
> Systems Administrator
> Internet Exposure, Inc.
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: tclug-list-unsubscribe@mn-linux.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: tclug-list-help@mn-linux.org
> 

-- 
Blayne Puklich          Collective Technologies         Minneapolis, MN
* mailto:blayne@colltech.com                  * http://www.colltech.com
* mailto:blayne@puklich.com                       * Pager: 888/437-8109
  The five most important words in business: Pay attention to detail.