vBouncer: reduce server load by unsubscribing bouncing members from threads

vBouncer is a handy tool for busy forums (or those that do not require email verification) to control the amounts of bogus emails sent from and to your server.

What vBouncer does: vBouncer monitors your mail spool file, and identifies members responsible for large amounts of bounced emails. It then issues a PM warning, and when the unsubscribe threshold is met, it will will unsubscribe them for all threads, and sets them to the "no email" subscription level.

After a couple of runs, this should significantly reduce your server load.

Features:
o Manual or auto processing option
o Collect logs via IMAP/POP or mail spool file
o Custom filters to match patterns in bounced emails
o Uses vB's cron files (Scheduled tasks)
o Uses encrypted header for authentication (suggested by Paul M).
o Stats on members with bouncing emails, and error codes
o Tuning options
o Verbose cron logs for diagnostics
o Option to send PM warning prior to reaching the limit
o Option to send PM notifications after reaching the limit
o Option to change the member's subscription default
o Option to all thread subscriptions to "no email"
o Option to all forum subscriptions to "no email"
o Option to move offenders to a different primary usergroup
o Option to process 5.0.0/550 errors (email unknown) upon a single email, isntead of observing the bounce limit

Installation:
1. Extract the files into the corresponding directories (admincp => admincp, includes => includes)
2. Run the installation script in the admincp
3. Fill out the settings menu in the vBouncer section of the admin panel (see the how-to post below)
4. Import and activate the plugin file through the plugin manager.
5. Once ready, add the cron scripts to your scheduled tasks: vbouncer-collect.php (should be run daily, or more frequently) and vbouncer-clean.php (weekly, equal to Bounce limit period)
6. If you are using vB's SMTP email option, make sure to also enable the "-f" option.

Change log:

- August 12, 2005 v1.3 Update to the cron files to match new changes in vB's cron/tasks. To upgrade, just re-upload the contents of includes/cron.

- July 11, 2005 v1.2 Bug fix for some server/PHP setups; resolve aliases for return keys, otherwise some aliases would be considered forged.

- July 5, 2005 v1.1 Bug fix in standard report pattern matching

- July 4, 2005 v1.0 Added encrypted header for authentication (suggested by Paul M).

- July 3, 2005 v0.9.1 fixed a bug preventing IMAP/POP log collection.

- July 2, 2005 v0.9 added IMAP/POP option and custom filters file vbouncer.ini

- June 27, 2005 v0.5 Added custom header setting option, for re-written headers.

- June 26, 2005 v0.4 Found a way to make it work as a plugin, without code edits (thanks to Paul M)

- June 26, 2005 v0.3 No changes, just removed the plugin

- June 25, 2005 v0.2 Added NDR/Reply code errors to stats, and option to act upon 5.0.0/550 (user unknown)

- June 21, 2005: v 0.1 Initial release. Marked beta, but it's working fine on PostFix and SendMail. Need to hear from those who tried on QMail and Exim

[ImportPassion]

ya, i just figured it out.

Seems to be ok. only one issue, the path to the image for the bars is off

http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums//forums/images/polls/bar3.gif

I'll chk it out.

[ImportPassion]

ok, i fixed it. i changed this

PHP Code:

$imgpath = '../' . $stylevars['imgdir_poll']; 


to this

PHP Code:

$imgpath = $stylevars['imgdir_poll']; 


I have the full path to my images in that var anyway.

[lucky64]

Installed fine, seems to be ok, however I'm having issues setting up the email....I don't see any spooling options. I'm using Plesk, is anyone familiar with it?

[TraumTeam]

A short help from me for users with the problems of imap/pop access:

I the access does not work and all settings are correct try:
{127.0.0.1:110/pop3/notls}INBOX

There could be a certificate failure with the internal IMAP Access on the server.

Perhaps its interesting for the FAQ ...

Rob

[TraumTeam]

the pop/imap access is working now, but he do not found any mails in it, although there are mails on the account

What could be the problem with the collect ?

running postfix

Rob

[pete_brady]

Originally Posted by TraumTeam

A short help from me for users with the problems of imap/pop access:

I the access does not work and all settings are correct try:
{127.0.0.1:110/pop3/notls}INBOX

There could be a certificate failure with the internal IMAP Access on the server.

Perhaps its interesting for the FAQ ...

Rob

Thanks!

[TraumTeam]

my problem ist solved ...

best regards
rob

[TraumTeam]

next Problem:
the auto mode does not work ...
The script is not sending "pm" messages although the bounce limit is reached
I just test it with manual cron start. The script scans the mails, found bounce mails, but does not send the pm when the limit is reached ....

How to check the problem ?

rob

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by TraumTeam

next Problem:
the auto mode does not work ...
The script is not sending "pm" messages although the bounce limit is reached
I just test it with manual cron start. The script scans the mails, found bounce mails, but does not send the pm when the limit is reached ....

How to check the problem ?

Verify the paameters you entered, the count, tolerance, period, usergroups, excluded user groups etc.

[TraumTeam]

i checked them ...
Is there an entry when "private messages" are sent in the log ?
I have a member with 40 bounces but nothing changed until now for him, although i activate automatic mode , Bounce limit 30, 7 days, pm activated ...