I think this is a trite and flawed answer but it does illustrate the none "opt out" nature of these medium. At least spam email sometimes give the opt out and is easier to apply your method of avoidance to - "don't open it". Isn't privacy concerned with private space? Just because privacy has been infringed completely by these medium it doesn't mean we shouldn't recognise the fact. You didn't give your advice as to how to avoid DMNs. The nature of these is background and subliminal - good for reinforcing messages and brand awareness but how do opt out of them? Don't tell me - stay in. As with your other advice, this is not an option for me (thannkfully).
What about a non-profit making project sponsored by a commercial concern? What about the same organised by a commercial concern? (Also, what is a BB?)
Spam definitions and regulations seem to vary. UK seems far more layed back than US. Someone above mentioned prison for spam and I took this to be a US reference. Was I wrong? What does a spammer have to do to be sent to jail?
I dont see what the big deal is. Anyone at any time could totally sue google and that is what you arent getting. They go on your website and "Store" Copyright material of your website without your permission. It is not up to you to tell google dont come here it is trespassing. You cant just go into a borders book store scan books and turn around and give them out for free. So basically who is wrong or right here? Google helps us out and we help google out. its a scratch your back you scratch my back. I get to trick your algorism and you get to index my site without being sued.
I'm not pretent to give any 'perfect' answer. This should be taken on comprehensive level, not literal. So what whether it gives me an option? It not gives me any option to download it from my server or not. I have to download, and then decide to open. It consumes my resources and time. There is no problem with single message (cost me almost nothing to check it) the problem is massive spamming. This is obvious.
Yes, I am refering to the US when I speak since I really am not that familiar with Spam Laws in other countries. To get imprisoned, one would need to be a big-time bulk spammer or repeat offender who has been fined previously...but I can't say what the "line" is that has to be crossed to be imprisoned. Jim
Once again, the keys here are "commercial" and "unsolicited", but you would have to be a real prick to turn in a non-profit or charity. Jim
You always have the option to tell the "bots" NOT to crawl your site. BTW...what you are talking about is not Spam anyway. Jim
Im saying you have to go out of your way to get google not to crawl your website. What im saying is that you shouldnt have to. Copyright material is copyrighted material. You cannot copy any part of it. So, what im saying is search engine spam should be permitted if google is allowed to copy content from your website. and host it in there database
What does Google crawling your website and listing you in their search pages have to do with spam? And, the logic that since they do this, search engine spam should be permitted is....well, no logic at all to be honest. Jim
My logic is if google has the right to break federal copyright laws. I have the right to spam the crap out of them
Why you say that? What im doing isnt illegal, what they are doing is So i let them slide by spamming them
I think opt outs give a certain class to any emails sent out. If I send speculative emails (as I prefer to call them) I provide telephone contact details and my office address. I thought this took my emails above what people consider spam. I'm in the UK though. What if I did this in the US or Canada or Australia?
I don't think anyone would report you for spamming for doing this. While Jim seems to be very technically knowledgeable in this field, he is certainly representing the technical side of it, which is rarely the practicality of it. As he said, you could be reported for it, but no one would. You are clearly identifying yourself, not repeatedly emailing them, going to the time and effort of actually writing the emaill (non automated) etc. I don't consider that spam at all (even if it technically is) I think this is the best description of what is commonly accepted of spam so far: (my emphasis) So while Jim is specifically talking about the legal aspects of Email Spam (the original and still the *best* version of spam), the word has entered popular culture to pretty much refer to any bulk annoyance. Which is why I consider mass produced automated websites designed for adsense to be considered Spam.
Forbes had an article, the gist of which is that there is no legal definition of SPAM Everyone hates spam. But like the canned meat product it's named after, it's hard to say exactly what it is. Pharmaceutical come-ons? Sure. Nigerian bank gambits? Of course. But what about junk mail from well-intentioned nonprofits? Or mass mail you may have actually asked for at some point? Or marketing mail that lets users opt-out of future messages? "There's no legal definition," says Danny O'Brien, a spam law analyst for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "Spam is in the eye of the beholder." You can read the rest of the article here http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/21/spam-lawsuit-marketing-tech-cx_ag_0222spam.html Dee
I detect complex weirdness going on with some internet peoples' perceptions of spam. Spam in these circles is considered vulgar but it doesn't stop there. Not only are automated websites made for adsense and mass unsolicited emails crass but selling anything, in any way other than standing behind a counter all day, is too. I'm reminded of elite Spartans, frowning upon trade and playing no part in it. They don't want anybody selling anything by the side of this highway. Sellers annoy them and should stay in their shops not sully them with their presence. This is great if you can live like that but many, some despite their proclaimed spam hating self-righteousness, depend on selling products and services or promoting them for their income and they need an income. Therefore I'm inclined to forgive mild spamming myself and accept it. Still, I avoid most spam, like I do adverts in any form, but I enjoy the exceptions that capture my imagination and interest and disprove my rule. What do you find acceptable as a way for people to approach you to sell? What attracts you to buy? Has any kind of Spam ever worked with you?
Myself I never open emails with attachments that I do not recognise - so I'm fortunate not to waste any of my time in the way you describe. I'd never send this type of email to anyone either. I stand by my summary of your original reply as "trite" but could add it was too obvious, not even near perfect and definitely not comprehesive. I'd be interested to know why you download material from people you have never heard of though. That might enlighten me. Regards
I have an aol email account and when I receive emails for body-part enlargements or viagra I press the report spam button. What do aol do when they receive one of these? Do websmasters have their own spam buttons? I can't find mine!