Facilitating installation and update of anti-spam filter

[Julien ÉLIE]

Hi Grant,

>> It would compare installed files with files from their upstream Github 
>> repository, show the differences to the news admin, and update them if 
>> asked to.
> 
> I don't know about the updating aspect.  I know that I've made changes 
> to my local cleanfeed so I would want something to deal with those changes.
> 
> I guess my changes could be created as a patch against a given version, 
> and then see if the same patch could be applied against the next version.

Local patches should indeed be retained, I agree.

Note that you would have the same problem if distributions provided 
inn2-cleanfeed packages... Any update would erase local changes (unless 
done in cleanfeed.local).


>> This program could be run out of cron, and send a mail if a new 
>> version should be deployed.
> 
> I can see some value in checking to see if there is a new version.
> 
> But I think similar could be done with push notifications from a mailing 
> list on the source end vs a constant pull / poll from each and every 
> installed instance.

Unfortunately I am not aware of such a mailing-list...
I agree that "constant" polling from installed instances should be 
avoided (I had in mind once a week or even a month).  They do not change 
often.


>> ... and this program could also do the same for control.ctl and maybe 
>> other configuration files.
> 
> This gives me indigestion.

Nonetheless, we have configuration files for which news admins should 
give better care.  How could they notably know there are moderating 
rules to change? (the fido7.* line in moderators should for instance 
point to @fido7.org and no longer @fido7.ru - I bet most news admins did 
not do the change)
Same thing for control.ctl when a rule (and sometimes its associated 
key) change...

Which in fact raises the question of how to ease the administration of a 
news server and inform admins of changes they should have a look at?

-- 
Julien ÉLIE

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