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Michelle Dick wrote:
Every now and then I find myself sending this
> form response to a person more than once and having them finally write
> with another incorrect attempt and addendum to the effect "if this
> doesn't work, I'm giving up, I don't care about your stupid list." My
> feelings are: good riddance. If they can't follow the confirm
> instructions, how likely are they to follow my posting rules? Or to
> be able to successfully unsubscribe themselves when needed? I don't
> want folks that clueless on my list, honestly.
As a subscriber to lists (who is considering starting a list or two), I
have never had any trouble following confirmation instructions, and
agree that they are a good idea for the reasons already stated on this
list.
However, my gripe is with confirmation messages that expire in 24 hours.
Depending on my schedule, I may only be able to check my e-mail once or
twice a week. By the time I see the confirmation notice, it has expired
and I have to start all over or say "to hell with your list."
>From the subscriber's standpoint, non-expiring confirmation messages (or
messages expiring in 30 days) would be easier to deal with. From the
mail bomb victim's standpoint, it shouldn't make any difference, since
s/he wouldn't get any mail until/unless s/he confirmed. Does it make a
difference from the list manager's perspective?
BTW, and forgive my ignorance, given that confirmation commands follow
pretty standard formats (and can be obtained by anyone just be
requesting to be subscribed), couldn't the creep who is subscribing a
victim to unwanted lists just send confirm commands to the list-managers
in the victim's name 24 hours after requesting the subscriptions? If
not (meaning that the confirm command can come only from the new
subscriber's address), why can't a list manager only accept subscription
requests that originate from the same address that the subscription is
to be sent to?
GK
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