[Dxspider-support] Selfspotter (SPAM)

[Robert Chalmas]

> Yes, I would also very much like to have a switch to shut off
> selfannouncers. There is no way to educate these guys.
> 
> 73, Klaus (>db0spc-7)

On my node HB9IAC-8, I modified 2 files to reject both local and distant
self-spots (among other unwanted things). As the node has been running
without problems for many monthes now, here is the trick:

1) Reject local self-spots:

- Put a copy of dx.pl in local_cmd.
- Edit this copy of the file.
- Look for the line:
   return (1, @out) unless $valid;
- Just AFTER this line, copy/paste the 4 lines below
   ( don't forget the final {-sign  ) :

if (($spotter =~ $spotted) || ($spotted =~ $spotter)) {
	push (@out,"Please no self-spotting (use ANN instead)!");
	return (1, @out);
}


2) "Ground" incoming remote self-spots:

- Backup the file /spider/perl/DXProt.pm
- Edit this file
- Look for the line:
   # bash down the list of bands until a valid one is reached
- Just BEFORE this line, copy/paste the 4 lines below:

	if (($_[2] =~ $_[6]) || ($_[6] =~ $_[2])) {
		dbg("PC11: self: $_[6] attempted to spot $_[2]");
		return;
	}
- This will log the attemps in the debug file and not propagate it
   to users or other nodes.

3) Of course you will have to restart the server so that the filter
   becomes active.
   To disable the filter, just remove the copy of dx.pl in local_cmd
   and restore the backup of DXProt.pm, then restart again the node.

I use those trick with DXSpider version 1.51 (build 57.245) on Linux.

Limitations:

- It would be cleaner to make this function dependant of a variable
   which would make it possible to enable or disable the filter without
   having to edit the code. But as it's working fine for me and I'm not
   a perl specialist, I didn't spent more time on this, maybe somebody
   could develop this further...
- If you upgrade the DXSpider software you will have to modifiy again
   the DXProt.pm file.
- Modifying DXProt.pm may interfere with the update process if you use CVS
   (not tested, I don't use this).

I hope this helps to keep the cluster clean !
I guess we offer enough communication opportunities (ANN, CHAT) so that
this kind of filtering don't make the cluster usuless for anybody.


73's de                                      Robert - HB9BZA

-- 
Robert CHALMAS, PO Box 1225, CH-1227 Carouge/GE, SWITZERLAND
    email:        rchalmas at users.ch    AX-25: HB9BZA @ HB9IAP
homepage: http://rchalmas.users.ch