A handy trn macro + a perl script

As more and more BBSes or other online services connect to Usenet, I noticed that the number of non-conforming articles increased. So I wrote a simple script to automate flaming the culprits.

If more people take interest in this, the peer pressure will ensure that the offenders take steps to fix their software. So I make my script available to everybody and encourage everybody to use it.

Installation

The perl script

Get the script and put it somewhere in your path. Then please adapt the following:

• The first line. At my site perl is located at /usr/local/bin/perl. This may be different on your computer.
• The location of the database file in which the scripts remembers who already got a notification.
• The minimal time between two notifications to the same user.
• The mailer used. I use elm. Any other mailer who understands -s "Subject" can be used.
• The text of the message. Feel free to change it to fit your own taste, but please don't forget to replace my name and signature.

The trn macro

Add the following line to your $HOME/.rnmac file. (or whatever you use for $RNMACRO)

~C       %(%m=[ap]?| complain.pl -to "%t"\n:)

Now pressing ~C will call the perl script. There is nothing special about ~C, you can use any free key in the first column.

The KILL-file entry

If you're really pissed about some site spewing botched messages into Usenet, place the follwing line into your (global) killfile:

 
/stupid.bbs.com/f:| complain.pl -to "%t"

Two utilities

These two short perl scripts help you maintaining the database on who already got the notice and when the last one was sent to the culprit. off_list.pl lists the database. off_set.pl sets the entry for a specified user to the current time.

Feedback

If you modify it (encouraged), please send me a copy so that I can integrate all patches for the next release.

I appreciate feedback, so please send your suggestion, criticism, or comments to lendl@cosy.sbg.ac.at.

Share and Enjoy !