[olug] Introduction

[Luke -Jr]

On Thursday 10 May 2007 17:45, Matthew Platte wrote:
> On May 10, 2007, at 4:59 PM, roberson at olug.org wrote:
> > On Thu, May 10, 2007 at 12:25:00PM -0500, Luke -Jr wrote:
> >> <olug at olug.org>: host mail.olug.org[198.70.254.115] said: 554
> >> 5.7.1 Service
> >>     unavailable; Client host [24.31.250.242] blocked using
> >>     dul.dnsbl.sorbs.net; Dynamic IP Addresses See:
> >>     http://www.sorbs.net/lookup.shtml?24.31.250.242
> >>     (in reply to RCPT TO command)
> > CPE-24-31-250-242.kc.res.rr.com[24.31.250.242]: blocked by
> > dul.dnsbl.sorbs.net;
>
> Following the link to sorbs.net and reading in the FAQ:
> > ...all outgoing mail from dynamically assigned address space (and
> > in a few cases even from statically assigned space) should be made
> > to flow through the mail server(s) of the Internet service provider
> > in question.
>
> Sounds like sorbs.net would prefer that mail from dashjr.org flow
> through the mail servers at kc...rr.com.  Assuming I'm not too dense/
> ignorant, this raises the question:  Would RoadRunner accept outgoing
> mail from the dashjr.org server? 

Using a common relay makes it *more* difficult to block actual spam since all 
the ISP's users will be relaying through this server, including both 
legitimate emails and spam. RoadRunner's mail relay has been on actual legit 
spam blacklists before because of this. It also prevents one from verifying 
delivery to the destination server.

> If RR won't forward the mail, why not sign up with an ISP that will?

In my view, the job of an ISP is to provide an internet connection, NOT to 
relay mail, provide mailboxes, or host personal webpages. RR would relay my 
mail, but I should not be forced to do this since it only hurts the problem.

> I ask because I've never understood the attraction for the dynamic
> route (dyndns.org, etc.) yet there are quite a few folks who choose
> that. To me it seems like an extra layer of hassle, another thing
> that will break randomly during the Big Presentation, and saves
> little or no money.

As far as my experience with cable internet goes, IPs are not truly dynamic. 
They are assigned and stick for months if not years before changing (usually 
with a technical reason behind it). E-mail is not intended to be real-time 
anyway. Even if my mail server were to be down for a few hours, any sane mail 
relay would wait at least 24 hours before giving up.

As for the "why" behind hosting myself-- because I want to be self-sufficient. 
I prefer not to rely on others for things when it shouldn't be necessary.
In modern society, nobody really truly cares about us, so in the end 
self-sufficiency is required to guarantee anything.