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 Category :: Spam |
Author :: Sara Hardy  |
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| Article Title :: Good Spam or Bad Spam - What's the Difference? |
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"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, & 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".
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