[ILUG] Spam and more spam

[Paul Askins]

Sure wasn't it "Dermot Daly" <dermot.daly at itsmobile.com> 
sometime around Tue, 2 Mar 2004 17:28:59 -0000 said:

> I disagree with the MUA/MTA argument, because it assumes that everyone
> on the list is handy with their MUA - This may not be the case;
> Especially if one of the things we are trying to do is to encourage
> new people.  A "new person" may not have any idea of the capabilities
> of their MUA, they may not want to know anything more about their MUA.
> 
I don't exactly agree with it myself, I'm just saying that that has
always been the standpoint of the list manager.  I don't believe that
has changed, nor do I think it should.  What's the alternative, increase
the sensitivity of the filters which would require more moderation of
posts submitted to avoid false positive posts being deleted?

> Too often, as engineers we look at problem like an engineer - Spam is
> coming from the list to my MUA, therefore I (and everyone on the list)
> should fix their MUAs.  This is not how non engineers think.  They
> think more like "Spam is coming from the list, therefore I should get
> off this list as it is annoying".
> 
> If we don't tackle the spam problem, people will unsubscribe, some of
> which will be people who contribute ;this is a net loss to the list.
> 
I agree, spam is a problem and unless you know how or have the ability
to block it, it is annoying.  However, I don't think there's anything
that can be done to reduce the level of spam making it onto the list. 
I'm sure if you could see how many mails are actually blocked by the
filters in place you wouldn't complain as it's probably a tiny
percentage of the spam that hits the list that gets through.  In the
meantime, we just have to delete the mails that do make it through.


-- 
Paul Askins
Email:  Paul Askins <paul.askins at adbvdesign.analog.com>

I have more humility in my little finger than you have in your whole
____BODY!
		-- from "Cerebus" #82