[pmmail-list] Spam -- your definition

[Ann Knight]

On Thu, 30 May 2002 12:06:34 -0300, PMMail OS/2 Support wrote:

>On Thu, 30 May 2002 08:43:55 -0600 (MDT), Ann Knight wrote:
>
>> UCE/UBE (my definition of "spam") is theft. Telemarketers don't call me collect, and junk mail 
>>doesn't come to my door postage due. The cost of spam (estimated at US$8 billion per year) is 
>>paid by me and every other end user on the Internet, whether we like it or not. I think you should 
>>read the Net Abuse FAQs pertaining to email, you can start at http://www.spamfaq.net/
>
>You have an argument, but the senders of the email in question may be
>paying for their Internet connectivity (i.e. their server space,
>bandwidth, etc. -- in other words, their share of the network
>infrastructure costs).

 Perhaps. But when spammers open an account with an ISP, agreeing to abide by the ISP's TOS or 
AUP, knowing they are going to violate that agreement, I don't really believe they intend to pay 
fully for their abuse.

>The key is, as you say, "EVERY [emphasis is mine] other end user on
>the Internet." This, by definition, includes the spammer himself.
>While some will steal others' server time, some may attempt to
>legitimately pay for the delivery of their "spam", just like any bulk
>user of the postal system.

 Spammers are abusers, not users. 



-- 
 Thanks,
Ann

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