You KNOW it's SPAM if. . .

From: Fred Showker <DTGNews_at_aol.com>
Date: Sun 12 Mar 2000 13:00:11 EST

Back and forth... back and forth... back and forth.

KIM BROOKS WROTE:
> Is it unsolicited email? Yes.
> Is it wrong? I don't think so.
> Is it unsolicited email? NO.

How do we know?

Can you guys help define "SPAM"? I'd like to get your
opinions, and criteria.

I believe there is BAD "UCE" and then there is good
"UCE" Sometimes because it's unsolicited, doesn't mean
it's bad.

At the User Group Network we have several listservs for
user group members and officers.

One of the lists is an "ANNOUNCE" list that actually
invites vendors and other industry "marketers" to post
their releases. People can subscribe at their own risk,
and are forewarned that the list is prone to spammers.
We try to block all those who post with obvious spam
(LD phone service, miracle skin care products,
submitting your web site to millions of search engines
for $35, and others), but sometimes it's difficult to
know.

Readers are also encouraged to post to the list if they
find something, (new product, web site, service, etc.)
they feel is exciting, and therefore potentially
beneficial to the readers of the ANNOUNCE list. (The
User Group Network welcomes 50 to 78,000 readers
monthly, and has just over 22,000 subscribers.)

Recently a number of readers have posted raw spam,
merely copied over from their own mail boxes. Not
wanting to block these people, nor slow the flow of
good stuff hitting the list, we were forced to come up
with some kind of criteria for actually telling if the
post would be considered spam.

The readers of the list sent in their own ideas on what
constitutes spam, and we (the list moms) digested it
into the following Quiz. I'd like to add your input,
and of course invite you to utilize the list yourself.

(Remember this is primarily intended for people who are
considering posting a potential spam item to the list)

EXCERPT................................................
..

Before copying or forwarding any post to any of the
User Group Network or Graphic Design Network lists,
please use this simple check-list to pre-qualify your
post. . .

YOU KNOW IT'S SPAM IF...
=====================

YES NO
[__] [__] it asks readers to "BUY" or "Order" something
[__] [__] the value of the offer is vague or unclear
          ("exciting offer will save you thousands!")
[__] [__] its only purpose is to get you to visit a web site
[__] [__] it contains the phrase "visit our sponsor"
[__] [__] it contains the phrase "reply with"
[__] [__] it contains any instruction to "get off the list"
[__] [__] it contains the phrases "ultimate", "leader"
          "definitive" or other bragging hype statements
          that you YOURSELF do NOT endorse
[__] [__] it contains links with ".shtml", ".asp", "dhtml"
[__] [__] it contains IP Links (numbers only: 202.234.101.02)
[__] [__] there more than one "Received From: " line in the header
[__] [__] it contains the phrase "Opt-In" or "Opt-Out"
[__] [__] it came from AOL and contains 'blind' copies
[__] [__] it contains porno, hate or antisocial content

If you answered =YES= to any of the above it IS spam (Read on)
                 ^^^
YES NO
[__] [__] Are you familiar with the sender?
[__] [__] Does it explain why it was sent to you specifically
[__] [__] Does it relate directly to the reader's interests?
[__] [__] Does it relate to the mission of this list?
[__] [__] Will it benefit the readers of the list?
[__] [__] Does it contain a VALID contact person's email?
[__] [__] Is there a VALID contact at the arrival page?

If you answered =NO= to any of these it may be spam
                 ^^
------ end ----------

is there anything we've missed?
Are any of these blatantly wrong or misleading?

I'm looking forward to your replies to this.

Fred




Received on Sun Mar 12 2000 - 12:00:11 CST