With the current state of software a determined and knowledgeable
abuser can continue to harass an open list in one way or another such as
in the ways you suggest. By becoming a private list that requires
a human to make or approve subscriptions the possibilities are reduced
but large private lists greatly increase list manager related duties...
But the type of ongoing abuse you describe that the abuse has escalated
out of control. Efforts to prevent such escalation should be taken when
the abuse starts. The abuser should be offered absolution and welcomed
back to the list IF THEY MEND THEIR WAYS. "Public opinion" and
"peer pressure" should be invoked tactfully to persuade the abuser
to discontinue their abuse.
In recent months there has been a situation on the list Quaker-L that might
offer some lessons on dealing with abusers. The Quaker traditions of
group processes leads me to be curious about the recent situation on
Quaker-L. (I -Fred- am an "index mode" subscriber to Quaker-L but
I did not follow the abuse situation tho I was aware of it.) Can anyone
post observations about this incident?
Another recent abuse situation is OLUMIDE@ADSZNET.COM sending UNSOLICITED
ads for a $10 reference card to mailing lists. It's been mentioned here
by kjetilho@ifi.uio.no who was hit by it earlier.
It hit the list I manage this morning! Below is a copy of my
response which tries to implement my suggestions above.
Fred H. Olson (.sig at end)
----- Forwarded message begins here -----
From: Fred H Olson WB0YQM <fholson@maroon.tc.umn.edu>
To: OLUMIDE@ADSZNET.COM
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 05:52:09 CST
Subject: Re: Error Condition Re: $$$ Internet Card
Thank you for your recent message quoted below;
BUT NOT FOR YOUR REASON FOR SENDING IT!!!
You have helped me decide to retain our list's policy of requiring
messages to the list to come from subscribers. This policy
makes it more difficult for INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES LIKE YOURS
from being posted. NOte that we do have a policy regarding what type of
advertising is appropriate on our list and YOURS IS DEFINITELY NOT
APPROPRIATE.
To discourage inappropriate ads, our policy notes that inappropriate
ads can be counter productive. THat is many of us would decide
not to purchase the item that we might otherwise buy BECAUSE OF
INAPROPRIATE ads placed for that product. THe backfire phenomenon!
Before your message came today, I had already heard of it --
discussed in very disapproving terms on a list for list owners.
You've definitely triggered the backfire phenomenon.
I suggest that unless you distribute a very convincing apology
and pledge never to engage in this sort of thing again and urge others
not to; you might as well for get marketing your product on the net.
(Tho I admit the perverse nature of advertising might make it
sell for a while. But I suspect it would be forever be equated
with MUD in the minds of many net activist.)
Fred H. Olson (.sig at end)
************ Fred's response to OLUMIDE@ADSZNET.COM *************
On Mon, 17 Oct 94 02:20 CDT,
cohousing-l@uci.com <cohousing-l@uci.com> wrote:
>
>Rejected message: sent to cohousing-l@uci.com by OLUMIDE@ADSZNET.COM follows.
>Reason for rejection: sender not subscribed.
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>$$$$WWW - This is an unsolicited mail. Please you do not have tomread
>it. Thanks.
>
>
>We market a quick reference Internet Card. If you are interested please
>send your name and mailing address PLUS your Internet Address and a $10
>fee to:
>
>Internet Card
>P.O.Box 1825
>Woodbridge, VA 22193
>
>
>Thanks.
>
>Oolumide Ola
>
>
--
Fred H. Olson fholson@uci.com (612)588-9532 Amateur radio: WB0YQM
1221 Russell Av N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 | Twin Cities Freenet |
Sysop of COHOUSING-L listserv & gopherspace: | (under development) |
gopher.uci.com or via EDIN gopher in Calif | info on request |47L
|
|
