Conflict of interest on plugins and rule sets pages

[da...@chaosreigns.com]

Short version, since this got long:  Should I clean up the rule sets page 
( http://wiki.apache.org/spamassassin/CustomRulesets )?


In October, dnswl.org started requiring payment from sites hitting it more
than 100,000 times per day.  I've been involved in dnswl.org since 2006,
I've been an admin since there was an admin interface, and I've provided
one of the dnswl.org DNS servers since 2007.

I have never received a cent from anything related to dnswl.org, or anything
else related to spam, and I don't expect I ever will.


I added my (dnswl) plugin to the custom plugins page, and then deleted 39
of the 48 plugins listed above it.  And then I moved 3 of the remaining
(commercial) plugins below it.

I believe what I did was entirely in the best interests of the spamassassin
project, but it sounds kind of terrible.  If I had to choose between
keeping the changes I've made to that page and removing the dnswl plugin,
vs. reverting the cleanup I did and keeping the dnswl plugin, I'd be
much happier with removing the dnswl plugin, to eliminate conflict
of interest.  Admittedly, this is partially due to my own frustration with
dnswl.org.


Now I just added the rules for my new IP reputation thing to the custom
rule sets page.  Which reminded me I want to clean up that page too.
But I'd rather have my stuff listed on the rule sets page than clean
it up, if I have to choose.

So how do you guys feel about me cleaning up the custom rule sets page?
I have complete confidence in my ability to do it purely in the best
interests of the spamassassin project, but recognize the conflict of
interest.

Due to lessons learned from the plugins page cleanup, I'd ask the contacts
to either email me to let me know their rule set listing should be updated,
or update it themselves, with instructions on how to request wiki access.

The rule sets page has about quarter as many entries as the plugins page
did.

-- 
"Wash daily from nose-tip to tail-tip; drink deeply, but never too deep;
And remember the night is for hunting, and forget not the day is for sleep."
- The Law of the Jungle, Rudyard Kipling
http://www.ChaosReigns.com

Re: Conflict of interest on plugins and rule sets pages

["Kevin A. McGrail" <KM...@PCCC.com>]

On 4/3/2011 2:05 PM, darxus@chaosreigns.com wrote:
> Short version, since this got long:  Should I clean up the rule sets page
> ( http://wiki.apache.org/spamassassin/CustomRulesets )?
Personally, I think the fact that you have disclosed the potential 
conflict of interest is the first step.

However, I wonder if there aren't better uses of your time than cleaning 
up Wiki's?  The plugins and rules are something that are always 
considered a buyer beware otherwise we run the risk of vetting 
everything forever.

>
> In October, dnswl.org started requiring payment from sites hitting it more
> than 100,000 times per day.  I've been involved in dnswl.org since 2006,
> I've been an admin since there was an admin interface, and I've provided
> one of the dnswl.org DNS servers since 2007.
>
> I have never received a cent from anything related to dnswl.org, or anything
> else related to spam, and I don't expect I ever will.
>
>
> I added my (dnswl) plugin to the custom plugins page, and then deleted 39
> of the 48 plugins listed above it.  And then I moved 3 of the remaining
> (commercial) plugins below it.
>
> I believe what I did was entirely in the best interests of the spamassassin
> project, but it sounds kind of terrible.  If I had to choose between
> keeping the changes I've made to that page and removing the dnswl plugin,
> vs. reverting the cleanup I did and keeping the dnswl plugin, I'd be
> much happier with removing the dnswl plugin, to eliminate conflict
> of interest.  Admittedly, this is partially due to my own frustration with
> dnswl.org.
>
>
> Now I just added the rules for my new IP reputation thing to the custom
> rule sets page.  Which reminded me I want to clean up that page too.
> But I'd rather have my stuff listed on the rule sets page than clean
> it up, if I have to choose.
>
> So how do you guys feel about me cleaning up the custom rule sets page?
> I have complete confidence in my ability to do it purely in the best
> interests of the spamassassin project, but recognize the conflict of
> interest.
>
> Due to lessons learned from the plugins page cleanup, I'd ask the contacts
> to either email me to let me know their rule set listing should be updated,
> or update it themselves, with instructions on how to request wiki access.
>
> The rule sets page has about quarter as many entries as the plugins page
> did.
>
Regards,
KAM