Subj : Add a network script
To   : Dumas Walker
From : Digital Man
Date : Mon Nov 04 2024 12:00:36

  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)

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