Jeff after Wirt, Gavin, etc...

> Gavin Scott wrote:
> >
> > Wirt writ:
> > > Although I was the one that initially brought up the subject
> > > concerning having the HP3000-L list and comp.sys.hp.mpe newsgroup
> > > more tightly connected than it was a couple of months ago, I have
> > > gotten to the point that I would like to change my vote and
> > > disconnect the two if these constant re-feeds of old posts keep
> > > occurring.
>
<snip>

Jeff and I have been aware of the problem.  Jeff and I just spoke on the
phone regarding this problem, and what we are going to do about it.

The reason for the duplicate, triplicate, etc. posts is actually due to
American University not doing what Jeff has asked, pleaded and begged them
to do, and that is to disconnect their "SMTP Send" of new posts.

What we are getting in essence, is a "round robin" effect.  When someone
posts to HP3000-L, that post is sent here to CSILLC, to our Newsfeed.  These
posts are sent, via DIGEX, and out to other Newsfeeds around the internet.
When American gets them, via their Newsfeed, it automatically routes them to
HP3000-L.

Well, guess what happens next?  That same message is then sent back to our
newsfeed here, and the whole process is repeated.

The question then, is why is it only certain messages?  Well, Jeff has a
"duplicate zap" queue (my phrase for it).  If American is timely, Raven will
bounce the duplicate message.  If not (most of the time), the message gets
in after the queue has been flushed (I believe Jeff's queue is 48 or 72
hours), it will be posted to Listserv.

Now - what to do about it.

Jeff will block all SMTP from American University at UTC, at his router (he
referred to it as "Brute Force" in his message.  This will kill all traffic
from American University (at least, from their NNTP server).  This will kill
all duplicates and triplicates and quadruplicates, etc.

Until bidirectionality is up (and we are now working with Microsoft directly
on this), those of you that post your messages to Usenet will need to make a
slight change on how you post.

Most NNTP Newsreaders have a "Reply via Mail" option.  If replying to an
existing post, please use the "Reply via Mail", and address it to
"[log in to unmask]".  If creating a new item, send it via e-mail to
"[log in to unmask]".  This will cause the message to hit the listserv,
and will proliferate to Usenet.  HP3000-L is now open for anyone to send to
it, so you need not be "subscribed" to post a message in this fashion (ie:
you folks from HP, where your SMTP servers rewrite your address - this will
work for you now).

What this means is that if you POST TO USENET INSTEAD OF POSTING VIA E-MAIL,
YOUR POST WILL NOT APPEAR ON THE LISTSERV!  Please follow the instructions
above.  If your NNTP Reader does not support a reply by e-mail (95% of them
do), please e-mail me directly, and I'll direct you to a list of
freeware/shareware where one can be downloaded.

Once bi-directionality is up and running, you will be able to start posting
and replying via your NNTP reader to Usenet.

As Jeff said in his message - thank you for your patience.  We're trying to
get things out faster to people.  We've been able to do it.  Once American
is cut off (Jeff had a little bicycle accident over the weekend and is not
in his office right now, but he will get it done as soon as possible - it
ain't an easy task), all of the duplicate issues will go away.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.  I can't
guarantee total civility as I am now down to 15 cigarettes a day from a high
of 40+ a week ago (<plug> that Zyban really works! </plug>) - and there's a
tad bit of irritibility here - just a tad bit though :)

Best Regards,
Joe

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Joe Geiser, Senior Partner, CSI Business Solutions, LLC
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