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OSS Report: bol-van/zapret


Development Stagnation in zapret Project Amidst Ongoing Bug Fixes and Documentation Improvements

The zapret project, a tool designed to bypass Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) mechanisms, has seen minimal development progress over the last 30 days, with the focus primarily on bug fixes and documentation enhancements rather than new feature development.

The zapret project aims to help users circumvent internet censorship by employing various DPI evasion techniques. It is particularly targeted at regions with strict censorship laws, such as Russia.

Recent Activity

Recent pull requests and issues indicate a focus on resolving technical debt and improving user documentation. PR #205 addresses compiler warnings and code cleanup, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain code quality. Meanwhile, PR #217 and PR #142 highlight attempts to standardize documentation formats and expand setup guides for different platforms. However, compatibility issues persist, as seen in PR #257's discussion on FreeBSD support.

Development Team Activity

Of Note

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Recent GitHub Issues Activity

Timespan Opened Closed Comments Labeled Milestones
7 Days 14 10 119 13 1
30 Days 79 47 481 77 1
90 Days 85 51 529 83 1
1 Year 115 83 824 113 1
All Time 243 209 - - -

Like all software activity quantification, these numbers are imperfect but sometimes useful. Comments, Labels, and Milestones refer to those issues opened in the timespan in question.

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Quantified Commit Activity Over 30 Days

Developer Avatar Branches PRs Commits Files Changes
bol-van 1 0/0/0 64 107 2685
[anp/hsw] 1 1/0/0 10 16 122
Vladimir Goncharov 1 1/1/0 1 3 59
Ivan 1 1/1/0 1 1 24
mdashlw 1 1/1/0 1 1 2
Ivan Grishaev 1 1/1/0 1 1 2
None (Lui22) 0 0/1/0 0 0 0
s-s-s (s-s-s) 0 2/0/2 0 0 0
None (UnkwUsr) 0 1/0/0 0 0 0
Max Makarov (maxpain) 0 0/0/1 0 0 0
Nik (nikrays) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
None (rexa302) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
Andrey Kiryanov (kiryanov) 0 1/0/0 0 0 0
Ignat Loskutov (loskutov) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
Ilya Bogdanov (zeerayne) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
Livia Medeiros (LiviaMedeiros) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
Artem Klevtsov (artemklevtsov) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0

PRs: created by that dev and opened/merged/closed-unmerged during the period

Detailed Reports

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Recent Activity Analysis

The GitHub repository for the zapret project has seen a significant amount of activity, with a total of 34 open issues. Recent discussions reveal ongoing challenges users face with various configurations, particularly concerning the effectiveness of the tool against different ISPs and protocols. Notably, issues related to YouTube access, DNS configurations, and the interaction between zapret and other network services have been prevalent.

Several issues exhibit common themes, such as difficulties in bypassing specific censorship measures imposed by ISPs like Ростелеком and МГТС. Users frequently report that while some websites are accessible, others remain blocked or experience significant latency. There is also a recurring mention of problems with QUIC protocol handling and the need for tailored configurations to achieve optimal performance.

Issue Details

Here are some of the most recently created and updated issues:

  1. Issue #333: zapret.service autostart is not working

    • Priority: High
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 2 days ago
    • Updated: 1 day ago
    • Details: Users report that the zapret.service does not start automatically after a system reboot, requiring manual intervention.
  2. Issue #332: Add z alias for zapret service

    • Priority: Medium
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 2 days ago
    • Updated: 1 day ago
    • Details: A request to add a simple alias for easier service management.
  3. Issue #330: Socks5 на Windows

    • Priority: Medium
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 2 days ago
    • Updated: 2 days ago
    • Details: Inquiry about implementing Socks5 support on Windows.
  4. Issue #328: PFSense 2.7.2 HighLoad

    • Priority: High
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 3 days ago
    • Updated: 2 days ago
    • Details: Users report high load issues when using zapret on PFSense with multiple clients.
  5. Issue #325: Приложение YouTube для Android TV

    • Priority: Medium
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 3 days ago
    • Updated: 2 days ago
    • Details: Users are experiencing issues with the YouTube app on Android TV not functioning properly despite successful access through browsers.
  6. Issue #323: Build nfq for Openwrt 14.07

    • Priority: Medium
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 4 days ago
    • Updated: 0 days ago
    • Details: Users are encountering build errors while trying to compile nfqws for an older version of OpenWrt.

Important Observations

  • Many users express frustration regarding the effectiveness of zapret against specific ISPs, particularly in relation to YouTube and other heavily monitored services.
  • There is a noticeable demand for clearer documentation regarding configuration settings, especially when dealing with complex setups involving multiple protocols (e.g., QUIC).
  • The community appears engaged in troubleshooting efforts, often sharing their findings and configurations in response to similar issues faced by others.
  • The need for better integration with existing network services (like VPNs) is a recurring theme, indicating that users are looking for seamless solutions that do not require extensive manual configuration.

This analysis highlights both the active engagement of users within the zapret community and the ongoing challenges they face in navigating internet censorship effectively.

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Report on Pull Requests

Overview

The repository zapret has a total of 4 open pull requests and 39 closed pull requests, with recent activity focused on bug fixes, documentation improvements, and enhancements to functionality. The project continues to evolve with contributions addressing both technical issues and user experience.

Summary of Pull Requests

Open Pull Requests

  • PR #257: Do not setgroups() on FreeBSD
    Created 18 days ago, this PR addresses a compatibility issue with FreeBSD where the setgroups() call fails, rendering certain options ineffective. The discussion highlights differences in behavior between FreeBSD and Linux, indicating the need for further testing.

  • PR #217: doc: change Russian readme extension to .md
    Opened 24 days ago, this PR aims to standardize the documentation format by changing the Russian README file from .txt to .md. Review comments suggest that this change should have been part of a previous commit due to broken markdown formatting.

  • PR #205: fixing compiler warnings and code cleanup
    This PR was created 26 days ago to address various compiler warnings and clean up the codebase. It discusses specific warnings related to type comparisons and suggests that some issues may be bugs that need fixing.

  • PR #142: Added docs for OPNsense
    Created 472 days ago, this PR provides documentation for setting up zapret on OPNsense routers. Comments indicate that users have successfully implemented the changes but suggest further refinements are necessary.

Closed Pull Requests

  • PR #326: Fix get_antizapret_domains.sh URL
    Closed 2 days ago without merging, this PR proposed a fix for a URL used in a script. The change was already made in the main branch before this PR was submitted.

  • PR #319: fix typo
    Merged 6 days ago, this minor PR corrected a typo in the documentation.

  • PR #315: option to bind to specified address for outbound connection
    Merged 6 days ago, this significant enhancement allows users to specify source addresses for outbound connections, improving flexibility for users with multiple IP addresses.

  • PR #303: Add .gitignore
    Closed without merging after discussions clarified that the files intended for exclusion were already managed appropriately in the repository.

Analysis of Pull Requests

The current state of pull requests in the zapret repository reveals several themes and areas of focus among contributors.

Technical Improvements

A notable trend among recent pull requests is the emphasis on technical improvements and bug fixes. For instance, PR #205 focuses explicitly on addressing compiler warnings, which is critical for maintaining code quality and ensuring compatibility across different systems. The detailed discussions within this PR highlight a collaborative effort to understand and resolve complex issues related to type handling and compiler behavior. This indicates an active engagement from contributors who are not only interested in adding features but also in refining existing code.

Documentation Enhancements

Another significant theme is the ongoing effort to enhance documentation. PRs like #217 and #142 illustrate a commitment to improving user experience by ensuring that documentation is clear, accessible, and up-to-date. The transition from .txt to .md formats is particularly noteworthy as it aligns with modern practices in software documentation, making it easier for users to navigate and utilize the information provided. However, there are indications of some confusion regarding markdown formatting that need addressing, as noted in comments from reviewers.

Compatibility Issues

The discussions surrounding PR #257 reveal ongoing challenges related to platform compatibility—specifically between FreeBSD and Linux. These types of issues are critical as they can significantly impact user experience depending on their operating environment. Contributors are actively engaging in discussions about these discrepancies, suggesting a healthy level of collaboration aimed at ensuring cross-platform functionality.

Community Engagement

The number of closed pull requests (39) compared to open ones indicates a responsive community that actively reviews and integrates contributions. However, there are also instances where contributions were closed without merging due to redundancy or lack of necessity (e.g., PR #326). This reflects an efficient workflow but also highlights potential areas for improvement in communication about ongoing changes within the project.

Anomalies and Concerns

While many contributions are constructive, there are anomalies such as PR #220 which was deemed "meaningless" by the repository maintainer. Such instances could indicate either miscommunication or a lack of clarity regarding contribution guidelines. Additionally, some pull requests appear focused on trivial changes (like typos), which while important for polish may not reflect substantial progress towards project goals.

In summary, the current landscape of pull requests in the zapret repository showcases an engaged community focused on enhancing functionality, improving documentation, and addressing compatibility issues while also navigating challenges related to contribution relevance and clarity. The project appears well-positioned for continued growth and refinement as it evolves in response to both user needs and technical requirements.

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Repo Commits Analysis

Development Team and Recent Activity

Team Members and Recent Contributions

bol-van

  • Commits: 64
  • Changes: 2685 across 107 files
  • Recent Activities:
    • Implemented multiple fixes in nfq/darkmagic.c, including a toolchain fix, handling of uninitialized fields, and header management.
    • Reverted and re-applied changes related to Linux-specific headers.
    • Worked on tpws module enhancements, including emergency connection closures, TCP user timeout options, and connection closing rewrites.
    • Updated documentation, particularly for FreeBSD repositories and readme files.
    • Addressed various bugs and made improvements across binaries for multiple architectures (e.g., aarch64, arm, x86).
    • Collaborated with other contributors on PRs related to typos and documentation updates.

mdashlw

  • Commits: 1
  • Changes: 2 across 1 file
  • Recent Activity:
    • Merged a PR that fixed a typo in the readme.

cleverfox

  • Commits: 1
  • Changes: 59 across 3 files
  • Recent Activity:
    • Contributed a feature to bind to a specified address for outbound connections.

anphsw

  • Commits: 10
  • Changes: 122 across 16 files
  • Recent Activity:
    • Focused on fixing compiler warnings and optimizing code.

igrishaev

  • Commits: 1
  • Changes: 2 across 1 file
  • Recent Activity:
    • Fixed a typo in the quick start documentation.

Tula-gingerbread

  • Commits: 1
  • Changes: 24 across 1 file
  • Recent Activity:
    • Merged a PR that removed unnecessary spaces in the readme.

Patterns and Themes

  • The majority of recent activity is driven by bol-van, who is actively addressing both feature enhancements and bug fixes. This indicates a strong leadership role within the project.
  • There is a collaborative environment with multiple contributors focusing on documentation improvements and minor fixes, suggesting an emphasis on maintaining clarity and usability for users.
  • The focus on compiler warnings by anphsw highlights an ongoing effort to improve code quality and maintainability.
  • The diverse contributions across different modules (e.g., tpws, nfqws) indicate that the project is evolving with enhancements aimed at improving functionality and user experience.

Conclusions

The development team is actively engaged in maintaining and enhancing the zapret project. The contributions are primarily led by bol-van, with support from other team members focusing on specific areas such as documentation and code quality. The collaborative nature of recent activities suggests a healthy development process, with ongoing efforts to address both user-facing features and underlying code stability.