Great Circle Associates List-Managers
(October 1999)
 

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Subject: Re: spammers and list confirmations
From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqui @ plaidworks . com>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 23:42:45 -0700
To: John R Levine <johnl @ iecc . com>, Chuq Von Rospach <chuqui @ plaidworks . com>
Cc: Tom Neff <tneff @ bigfoot . com>, List-Managers @ GreatCircle . COM
In-reply-to: <Pine.BSI.3.91.991014023511.12977A-100000@ivan.iecc.com>
References: <Pine.BSI.3.91.991014023511.12977A-100000@ivan.iecc.com>

At 2:37 AM -0400 10/14/99, John R Levine wrote:
> I put the cookie in the subject line, e.g.
>
>  Subject: (wkjewk) Your subscription to the foob list
>
>  We've received a subscription request ...
>
> That seems to help a lot, then all they have to do is put the "yes" in the
> body.  I don't just accept any response with the cookie in the subject line,
> that's too easily spoofed by autoresponses, bounces, and broken vacation
> programs.

I like that approach. I'd also consider replacing the "yes" with a 
blank message, since that locks out the autoresponses and stuff, and 
requires a minimal conscious response. Even something as simple as 
"send back yes" will confuse some users, and you have to ddeal with 
included reply messages, ">", quotes around the word yes, and all 
that other stuff users do to try to be helpful....

> Well, sure.  If the URLs are compact enough, you can stick them in the
> message footers.

which I've done on my lists (non-customized) for a long time. One of 
the best hacks I've ever found, since users don't read those "twice a 
month help files" anyway. The ones that keep them around don't need 
them re-mailed, the ones that do won't wait for them, and putting the 
basic info in a short footer solves the problems for both -- it's 
there when they need it, but not obtrusive.

Going to a fully customized, verped setup is really high on my priority...

--
Chuq Von Rospach - Plaidworks Consulting (mailto:chuqui@plaidworks.com)
Apple Mail List Gnome (mailto:chuq@apple.com)

What was that?
    French horns...


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