I can't say I like the potted meat, and I definately don't like the spam that fills my inbox every day. I use my hotmail address on the genealogy message boards that I post to - that way, when someone replies (sometimes even years later) they will reach me for sure. However, if I could go back, I would not use my name in the address. I get mail that is generated by random name combinations. Like Shantrisler, shannatrisler, shanontrisler, and they eventually get to my name. So there I am, with the opportunity to consolidate my debt, (possibly with an online casino), increase my masculinity(which is sadly lacking), lose weight (hey, mind your own business!), or possibly help some Nigerian banker out of a jam and make myself a cool 5 million. I probably get 10-15 unsolicited emails a day, and some are NASTY. It makes me ill and it is highly offensive. I have my junk filter on, so at least it goes there, but I still have to check that because I am afraid an email will slip through that I'm supposed to get.
Spam is RUDE RUDE RUDE. Did you know that there are email extractors, called spiders, that peruse websites and glean email addresses for spamming? How low is that? Not to mention that there is a black market for email lists and I'm sure I'm on a few of them. Here's a little trick though, that might help - at least it makes a little trouble for the spammers...
In addition to spam, pop-ups are on my bad list, too. If I have one more message from someone named "Michelle", "Jen", or "Amber" (no offense to the peeps I know with this name) who just want to talk, and get to know someone special like me, I'm going to scream! But most of the pop-up isn't from them, it's from the Stop Pop Up People! It's spam blackmail! They are basically saying, if you buy this service, then we'll stop pop-upping you!
~sigh~ I am capable of handling the spam - I try to ignore it and just discard it immedietely, but what really bothers me is that anyone with an email is a target, even kids. I will be watching very closely when my children are online.
Okay, that's my thought for the day. I hadn't intended to blog about this today, but I opened my mail today and found myself needing to vent! If you want to get it out of your system too, go right ahead! The forum is open!
I get an average of 50 "bulk" messages a day...not to mention the other 10 that are sent to my actual inbox. I can't stand it..and all the pop-ups make my computer freeze! very annoying when your trying to talk to somebody.
Posted by: Kat B at July 16, 2003 01:17 PMHere's how I managed that problem. I have one address (aaronbooth@yahoo.com) that I use whenever I order or register for products or services online. That inbox is always full of crap. My other address (chefchuddy@yahoo.com) I use only for personal correspondence. I never ever use it for any other reason. I've had the chefchuddy account for over a year, and I have nevr once gotten spam.
Posted by: the booth at July 16, 2003 01:28 PMMy problem is that I have already established that email address on hundreds of genealogy posts... I really need to keep it - plus it's what I use for ordering, etc. I hate to get rid of it - since I've had it for years... I do use trislerfamily@aol. for more personal stuff though- I don't get spam there, thank goodness.
Posted by: Shannon at July 16, 2003 01:38 PMAnd WOW, Kat, 50 messages a day? That's pretty bad...
Posted by: Shannon at July 16, 2003 01:40 PMAt least when I go to check my email I'm not disappointed by an empty box. The spam is their to comfort me. Click. Delete. Its all gone.
Posted by: svenska at July 16, 2003 02:27 PMyea...50..its pathetic..and depressing. i feel so unloved *Sniff*...hehe
Posted by: Kat B at July 16, 2003 06:19 PMSpam isn't something I get much of, but Lisa gets a host of messages of all varieties--like those you mentioned (some of which are, of course, unmentionable). We've tried clicking the links to "unsubscribe", but it hasn't stopped them from coming. The Booth's solution is a pretty good one, except that I like having one email address for everything. That's a personal thing, though, and I imagine that if I had the spam problems that some of you seem to, I would probably get another address pretty fast.
Posted by: Courtney Huntington at July 17, 2003 12:59 PM