news.admin.net-abuse.blocklisting is a newsgroup devoted to discussion
of subjects related to the use, administration, and effects of
blocklists in ameliorating the problem of unsolicited bulk email and
other unwanted or abusive network traffic. Any topic which is especially
of interest to those maintaining, using, or affected by blocklists
is welcome in this group.
The nature of the topic is such that expressions of anger and frustration
are expected, but vulgarity, ad hominem attacks, unwarranted generalisations
and non-productive displays of pique (however elegantly worded,) will be
rejected at the discretion of the moderators. Rejected articles will be
returned to the author. Where practicable, the moderator may include advice
on how to revise the article to better meet the criteria for acceptance.
In general, the moderators will not reject articles based on content, but
only on tone and language. However, some content may be deemed unsuitable.
Examples of content-related criteria for rejection may include ad hominem
attacks, repetitive expositions of largely identical arguments, and non-
informative expressions of opinion on the viability of one or another
list, method, provider, or listed entity. The focus will be on
information.
Although discussions in the group may focus on one or another listing in a
specific blocklist, the advice and opinions expressed in the group should
not be taken as authoritative for any listing or list. Maintainers of
various lists use their own various criteria, and may or may not be
influenced by postings in the group, however well-informed or accurate.
All messages removed by unauthorized cancels will be automatically reposted
by Dave the Resurrector or a similar program, or at the discretion of a group
moderator. Spams, gateway spews, and other attacks on the system itself will
be removed as appropriate, following standard Usenet guidelines.
Binary files will not be approved for posting in
news.admin.net-abuse.blocklisting.
The following are sample topics which will be addressed in
news.admin.net-abuse.blocklisting:
Blocklist creation and maintenance
Nomination and delisting procedures
Criteria used in listings
Pros and cons of DNSBL usage
Reduction of "false positives"
Discussions of blocklist listings
Effects of blocklist use on spam volume
Other technologies for propagation and querying of a list
New uses for blocklists
Cross-posting articles to news.admin.net-abuse.blocklisting is not
allowed; exceptions may be made at the discretion of the moderators,
as for example in the case of FAQ's.
Moderation will be performed using the Secure Team-based Usenet Moderation
Program (STUMP) or similar technology, which will be supplied by Scott
Hazen Mueller. Where practicable, the following procedures will be
followed by the moderation team:
- The moderators will maintain the tone of discourse so as to minimize the
heated discussions to which the subject often leads.
- Although moderators themselves may have strong opinions on the efficacy,
application, or side-effects of one or another blocklist or other method
of reducing spam, they are expected to refrain from allowing such
opinions to influence their approval or rejection of articles.
- The moderators may use the tools provided (now or in the future) to aid
in moderation of the group. These may include "white lists," "black
lists," keywording of headers, and word-filtering.
- Moderators will be added to or removed from the team by a 2/3 majority
vote. In the case of a vote for removal, the moderator under review will
not be permitted to vote.
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