[rbldnsd] [RFD] [long[ish]] to be or not to be...

[Marc Perkel]

I'm new to this and I have a comment. As I learned the system I was 
confused as to what was a "dataset" and what is a "file". As it is now 
it took me a long time to understand that and follow the logic.

Might I suggest that when you reference a file that you use an extension 
like "proxies.file", "proxies.txt", or "proxies.list". This would 
indicate to me that you are talking about a file that is being read. 
Having said that, what is a file in the unix world? 
"http://www.ex.com.proxies.txt" could also be a file. But let's not go 
there yet.

As a new user I didn't know what a "dataset" is. It might be useful to 
define these terms in the documentation. In my mind I had thought a 
dataset and a file was the same thing.

The requirement as it is now that real files have to be reference on the 
command line is cumbersome. I has the expectation that a "container" 
would be able to reference files but I was either wrong or not very smart.

Before I go on I do want to commend you for your excellent software. 
Once I got onto it I found it very well designed and it just worked. The 
weakest part is the learning curve could be better and I think you are 
addressing it. Might I make a suggestion. Find a friend who is competent 
but not a wizard who doesn't know your software and watch them learn it. 
That will give you a clue about features and or documentation 
improvement need to happen.

In my mind the "container" where you can put $DATASET commands should 
include the ability to read in new files. Or there should be some other 
command to do that. That way the command line need only reference one 
file and perhaps a default name sould be /etc/rbldnsd.conf. Withing that 
file should be the commands to read all other files.

I'm also an advocate of natural language and readabity on config files. 
So far it's pretty good. But any time you think of a way to make it even 
easier then go for it.

I'm going to cut it off here so it doesn't get too long. But I wanted to 
post this because I just learned the program and wanted to convey my 
experiences as a new user.

Here's how I'm using it:

http://wiki.junkemailfilter.com/index.php/Spam_DNS_Lists