[Clover] [QSL-Net] More AOL Woes (Everyone Please Read)

[Doug Reed]

>Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2004 12:23:39 -0400
>From: Tim <listowner at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: [QSL-Net] More AOL Woes (Everyone Please Read)
>
>Over the last year or so our system has been periodically blocked from
sending mail into the AOL system.  A month ago, I finally made arrangements
with them to be white listed and put an end to this once and for all.  To
be white listed by them I had to agree to receive any and all complaints
logged by their users about mail being sent from our system (we don't send
spam, no problem).
>
>While this seemed easy, I found that AOL provides their users a button on
their interface that says something to the effect that "this message is
spam", and when they highlight a message and push it, we get a "complaint"
logged against us and mailed to us.  No one at AOL reads this stuff, but
they keep track of them and after we reach a certain percentage of the mail
we send vs how many complaints we get, they block our entire system.  I've
also found that the spam button is next to the delete button, and a
clueless user MIGHT use it to delete messages.  Here in lies the problem.
>
>I am getting plenty of these "complaints" and since AOL does not tell me
who is complaining (apparently a privacy issue), it's near impossible to
find out who they are and remove them from the system.
>
>So, I'm asking all list owners to post a message to all of your lists
reminding AOL people not to use the "spam" button as a delete button and if
they are subscribed to your list and don't want to be, help them get off
the list so we don't get blacklisted by AOL.
>
>Thanks for your help.  If you have any questions about this, let me know.
>
>Tim
>
---------------------------------------------------
>Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 18:50:10 -0400
>From: Tim <listowner at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [QSL-Net] More AOL Woes
>
>I'd have to laugh if this wasn't such a pain in the rear but, there have
been at least 4 lists that posted the message about the AOL spam button
that the @#$!&*% AOL users have reported as spam.
>
>I am flabbergasted that people who have to pass a test to operate a ham
radio rig (who apparently have some level of intelligence), cannot or will
not follow instructions.
>
>Amazing!
>
>Tim
>
>Thanks to all the admins for helping resolve this.
>
>_______________________________________________

Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 15:40:51 -0400
To: qsl-net at mailman.qth.net
From: Ken Akasofu KL7JCQ <KL7JCQ at optonline.net>
Subject: [QSL-Net] FYI on the AOL Spam Button Interface

FYI... I have made the announcement per your request and here is
a reply from an AOL user.

73,  Ken Akasofu KL7JCQ
ARRL Eastern New York
Section Emergency Coordinator
List Moderator for ENY-ECOM

>Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 09:35:39 -0400 (EDT)
>Subject: Re: [ENY-ECOM] To AOL users who use the "this is spam" button
>To: eny-ecom at mailman.qth.net
>
>Hi Ken,
>
>The current "full" version, America Online 9.0 Optimized SE Rev.  4156.5000,
>has the Report Spam icon moved away to a different location,  probably for
>this reason.
>
>   73,
>   Joe
>_________