Re: zmailer filter function

[Trevor Paquette <TrevorPaquette@aec.ca>]

On Nov 25, 16:04, Matti Aarnio wrote:
> Subject: Re: zmailer filter function
> > Just wondering if you saw my note in the zmailer mailing list. Would such
> > a thing be possible? You could filter the entire contents of the
> > message to an external process. The process would expect the message to
 .. deleted ..
> 	Yes, I saw it, and have been thinking about it.
> 	... though I only envisioned getting filtered headers
> 	and some addressing information back.
>
> 	The thing I am "a bit" shy about, is the usage of separate
> 	(external) process to do the filtering.

     Would you want an external process to do all the filtering? or and
     additional process to do filtering (which I think is the right way).

> 	On the other hand...  If such module does basic header rewriting,
> 	(scrubs away some, edits others), and returns the new set to the
> 	router along with addresses, it could be used to implemend a
> 	moderated lists -- and as ubiquitously insertable censor function..
>
> 	I must say, I am somewhat uncertain if it would be Good Idea
> 	at all...
>

 Tha main function of this filter (for my purposes anyway) is to implement a
virus checking filter. This new filter I still think could greatly enhance
the functionality of zmailer.

 EX: - check for attachments.. decode them, check for viruses.. issue warning
       with the message stating that a possible virus exists with the message.

     - Your MUA doesn't understand MIME? (Like MS-Mail!), check for a MIME
       attachment, decode it, change it to a UUENCODED attachement,ship the
       message back to the user..

     - Internal hostname hiding becomes a snap
     - Username translation also becomes much easier

     - basically anything that zmailer currently cannot do, or was not
       meant to do, can be done by this external process.

     - The filter can now be written in the language of your choice. sh, csh,
       tcah, Perl, C, C++.. etc..

  The format of the message being sent to the filter can be kept very simple.

  HEADER1
  HEADER2
  HEADER3
  HEADER4
  <BLANK LINE>
  MESSAGE BODY
  EOF

   Can this type of message be accepted by the router? or what other format
   could be used?




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