Good morning.

A question came up on another network from a couple of network admins who
don't run synchronet. They are having issues with sysops who add their
network via the automated scripts. They get an email from the sysop that
appears to come from a valid *.synchro.net address but, when they respond
to it, the messages either bounce back or they never get a response because
the *.synchro.net address shown is not valid.

If a sysop is just setting up their BBS, they may not yet have figured out how
to get their *.synchro.net address set up (and may not even be looking to use
that feature).

To make things a little easier on these NCs, would it be possible to have the
script ask the sysop for their valid email address so the NC can respond to
them properly?


* SLMR 2.1a * Just some extemporaneous personal communication
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þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Re: Add a network script
By: Dumas Walker to DIGITAL MAN on Mon Nov 04 2024 09:48 am

> Good morning.
>
> A question came up on another network from a couple of network admins who
> don't run synchronet. They are having issues with sysops who add their
> network via the automated scripts. They get an email from the sysop that
> appears to come from a valid *.synchro.net address but, when they respond
> to it, the messages either bounce back or they never get a response because
> the *.synchro.net address shown is not valid.

Oh, that's a bummer. I appreciate the feedback on the Synchronet "init-fidonet" script.

> If a sysop is just setting up their BBS, they may not yet have figured out
> how to get their *.synchro.net address set up (and may not even be looking
> to use that feature).

The sysop might even have their DynDNS set up (and thus their *.synchro.net hostname *is* working), but they don't have their mail server up/working (accepting incoming SMTP connections no TCP port 25). That could be for a number of reasons (e.g. their ISP blocks inbound traffic on TCP port 25, their firewally/gateway/router is not configured to allow that traffic).

> To make things a little easier on these NCs, would it be possible to have
> the script ask the sysop for their valid email address so the NC can respond
> to them properly?

It already does exactly that. e.g.
Your node address is 11:1/9999 (Y/n)?
Your name is 'Rob Swindell' (Y/n)?
Your Internet e-mail address is rob@synchro.net (Y/n)?
(if the sysop answers "N", then they have a chance to edit the email address and are prompted to confirm).

And then the script uses the provided address in the Reply-To address of the sent email.

I'll put some thought/work into how the script might better validate the email address (is working, or likely to work) and foce the sysop to fix it if it's not.
--
digital man (rob)

Rush quote #1:
Danger plus survival equals fun. - Neil Peart
Norco, CA WX: 73.5øF, 16.0% humidity, 17 mph NW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
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þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

>> To make things a little easier on these NCs, would it be possible to have
>> the script ask the sysop for their valid email address so the NC can respond
>> to them properly?

> It already does exactly that. e.g.
> Your node address is 11:1/9999 (Y/n)?
> Your name is 'Rob Swindell' (Y/n)?
> Your Internet e-mail address is rob@synchro.net (Y/n)?
> (if the sysop answers "N", then they have a chance to edit the email address
> and are prompted to confirm).

> And then the script uses the provided address in the Reply-To address of the
> sent email.

> I'll put some thought/work into how the script might better validate the email
> address (is working, or likely to work) and foce the sysop to fix it if it's
> not.

Saw the post in the Synchronet Programming echo. Thanks for looking into
this!


* SLMR 2.1a * A wok is what you throw at a wabbit.
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þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Re: Add a network script
By: Dumas Walker to DIGITAL MAN on Tue Nov 05 2024 10:39 am

> Saw the post in the Synchronet Programming echo. Thanks for looking into
> this!

Hopefully those changes help, at least a bit.
--
digital man (rob)

Steven Wright quote #23:
My mechanic told me, I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder
Norco, CA WX: 71.9øF, 26.0% humidity, 1 mph SW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
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þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net