SpamTestBuddy 0.92
Copyright (C) 2007 Jem E. Berkes
http://www.sysdesign.ca/

This software may be used for personal, non-commercial use only. It may not
be re-distributed, re-sold, or modified without the author's permission.

		http://www.pc-tools.net/unix/spamtestbuddy/


DESCRIPTION
-----------

SpamTestBuddy is a simple, light-weight, multiple-input spam scoring tool.
It is standalone and can be used with simple procmail rules without root
access or daemons. Features built-in support for simple DNS checks
including DNSBL (DNS-based blocklist) queries, and can scan headers from
filters such as SpamProbe, QSF, DSPAM that you already use.

The configuration is flexible and easy to edit in a human readable file.
Different tests can add or remove from the total score.

(I am not trying to re-invent SpamAssassin. That is a very powerful piece
of software with all the features you need. It is also somewhat large and
is a greater challenge to install. SpamTestBuddy will just help you bring
together existing scores from filters you already use, with a few useful
extra tests thrown in. For an all-in-one solution, try SpamAssassin).


COMMON USES
-----------

1) Combining more than one external filter:

	If you have a number of filters that output a numeric probability
	or score, you can combine them together using +TestHeaderFloat and
	make a decision on the total (floating point) score. Examples of
	filters which integrate seamlessly are SpamProbe, QSF, DSPAM, CRM114.
	
2) Querying DNSBL (DNS based blocklists) or real time lists:

	Typically this is done by mail servers at the time of mail receipt.
	However, there are advantages to doing these "RBL" lookups later.
	SpamTestBuddy will let you query multiple real-time lists for fresh
	data on known spam sources, abusive networks, etc. You can combine
	the results with your other statistical body-reading filters.

3) Reducing false positives from other filters:

	You can use SpamTestBuddy as a secondary filter to interpret
	existing scores differently. Alternatively, you can make a more
	conservative configuration by combining scores. This may be helpful
	for revisiting classification errors



CONFIGURING
-----------

See the INSTALL and sample-spamtestbuddy files. These describe all features.
