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Instead of the usual scary or threatening discussions about Spam,
this article
by Sara Hardy approaches this serious subject in a less menacing yet still
more practical and level headed manner.
Good Spam or Bad Spam - What's the Difference?
by Sara Hardy
"Are you good spam or bad spam?"
This is the question I find echoing in my head sometimes when
I am going through my email, as if it is part of some
electronic Wizard of Oz. Have you ever given any thought to
the fact that there really is a difference in spam? Not that I
am defending anyone, but let me make my point and then you can
decide for yourself.
Spam is such a hot issue and no one knows the "right" view of
spam that fits everyone. You either: - will take all measures
to prevent people from sending it to you - don't mind it at
all and happily delete, delete, delete every day - OR hate it
sometimes and ignore it other times.
I think I fall in the last category, which is what started me
thinking about good and bad spam. My point of view has now
developed into this:
BAD Spam-
-It is bad spam when you reply to it to be removed and it is
returned to you because the address is made up. -It is bad
spam when the removal link does not open a real url. -It is
bad spam when you paste the message source into Spam Cop and
the info you get back before clicking the "Send spam report"
shows tons of dead ends and made up domains, etc.
This means that this "Cowardly Lion" harvested your address,
and went to great lengths to cover their tracks in order not
to get caught sending spam.
GOOD Spam-
-It is good spam when there is an actual person on the other
end, apologizing for inconveniencing you.
What made it good spam? Because here is spam that you most
likely will not get again, because it is more legit then the
bad spam. These people are not out to break any rules, upset
anyone, or ruin your day. 9 times out of 10 they really don't
know any better and will learn, very quickly I might add.
Also, keep in mind that the Scarecrow in us does not ALWAYS
remember every email we sign up for. It is possible to have
signed up for something and a week later be flipping out
because you are getting email from some unknown. If we only
had a brain sometimes (Speaking for myself, of course).
It is also highly possible that someone is having fun
subscribing you to things. Never count that one out, it
happens all of the time.
GOOD vs BAD
Personally, I would much rather get NO spam, however if I had
to choose, I would have to go with good spam. Bad spam
demonstrates that the sender KNOWS what is NOT acceptable and
went to all of this trouble and expense to hide behind this
long trail of fake addresses. These are malicious acts, and
down right dirty. Do they really think that what they are
trying to sell in this manner is actually worth it? These are
the people we should be upset with. These are the people that
we need to be telling, "I'll get you my pretty, and your
little server too!"
So, whether you agree or disagree, just try to keep in mind
that -
1. The whole world is not out to get you. -
2. Not every piece of spam is sent with the same intent. And... -
3. As the world around us continues to change, we will be seeing
more
and more companies resorting to sending their
junk mail through email
rather then the post office. (I think this is
becoming a more desirable
thing to us all, as it would be much safer, take
less effort to get rid of,
and is better for the environment.)
Now is the time to try to adjust our view and approach the
issue with a level head. If we don't we will drive ourselves
mad, and for what purpose? The changes in our world cause the
internet to change. Soon you probably will find yourself
saying, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore".
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sara Hardy
is
Publisher of The OnLine Exchange Ezine which has been in
circulation for over 3 years, with over 28,000 faithful
subscribers. Go here to subscribe:
http://marketingtrendz.com
and start your FREE Membership to our Profit Zone, giving you
unlimited access to FREE marketing tools, ebooks, resources
and more!
------------------------------------------------------------------
This article is courtesy of
http://www.spam-blocking.info.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the authors
bio are included.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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..... Richard
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Editor's Comments |
There are many
efforts by major organizations and businesses, as well as the governments
of United States and other countries to put an end to Spam.
It isn't under control yet, and may never be due to the unsavory character
traits of greedy and even malicious people who attempt to take unfair
advantage of people just trying to enjoy the Internet.
There's no doubt about it in my mind - Spam is now - and will
continue to be a nuisance and threat.
Articles like this help avoid panic and go a long way to learning how to
live with and handle the Spam annoyance.
...Richard
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