[Spambayes] I'm running into a resource conflict; SpamBayes freezes my system

[Richard B Barger ABC APR]

Thank you, Tim.  Comments below.

Rich Barger

---

Tim Peters wrote:

> The proxy version of SpamBayes is written in utterly vanilla, portable
> code.  It uses no HW resources directly, and doesn't even do anything
> specific to Windows.  You can download all the SB source code for free, if
> you want to.

RBB:  Ah, but I wouldn't know what I had or what to do with it even if I
downloaded the source code.  While I'm an experienced computer >user<, I'm
certainly not a programmer.

> But it appears you've already determined that it's really ZoneAlarm freezing
> your system.

RBB:  Not exactly; that's why I msg'd the SpamBayes group, Tim.  I had no idea
whether it was ZoneAlarm causing the problem, or SpamBayes.  I just knew they
didn't play nice together.

> That's not surprising.  ZoneAlarm is written in assembly language, and plays
> oodles of Windows-specific tricks, grossly interfering with all socket
> operations (write an ordinary socket-based program and time it, with and
> without ZA enabled -- you may be amazed at how much slower it runs with ZA
> on, even if it's just using localhost ports;

RBB:  I'll trust you on this one; I certainly don't know how to write a
"socket-based program."  Isn't it fun, dealing with users with the gamut of
experience from none to guru?  <g>

> and that can be a real problem when you're running socket-intensive
> programs, indeed like downloading a massive amount of email at DSL speed).

RBB:  Good example.

> I had so many problems with ZoneAlarm freezing my system (with or without
> SpamBayes) that I eventually broke down and spent 30 bucks for a real
> hardware firewall, and tossed ZA.  My Windows boxes got much stabler then.

RBB:  Good advice; thank you.  I hadn't had obvious problems with ZoneAlarm,
but it may be affecting my computer in ways I hadn't noticed.

> In any case, I don't believe anyone has reported your problem before, and I
> strongly suspect ZA is the true cause.

RBB:  Thanks again, Tim, for the thoughtful, cogent explanation.  This group
is enormously interesting and helpful.

Cheers!

Rich Barger
Kansas City