[Mailman-Developers] Interesting study -- spam on postedaddresses...

[Chuq Von Rospach]

On 2/20/02 2:13 PM, "John W Baxter" <jwblist@olympus.net> wrote:

> At least in Chuq's context, in which Apple claims in their privacy policy
> to protect the addresses of us innocent subscribers to their lists.
> 
> That context may not match the context of other list operators, who may
> feel that the subscribers are out in the main stacks somewhere.  Or in a
> drawer in the librarian's desk for "suitable" review.

Both true, but I have two points to carry this further.

1) I think a tool like Mailman has to implement to the highest-reasonable
security, so if people want to be looser, fine. It's easier to loosen the
reins than expect JrandomeUser to implement extra features on an ad hoc
basis. I also think a tool like Mailman ought to try to set a "best
practices" model for how it operates. Mailman should set the standard for
how we think mail lists ought to be run, not be the least common denominator
that everyone has to hack extras into to make it fit their needs.

2) admins can set whatever policies they want -- but I think it's important
they disclose them, so users can make informed choices. That includes,
frankly, letting users know their addresses are potentially exposed to
spammers, so if a user is sensitive to this, they can choose to not
subscribe, or to leave the list.

I'm not telling admins what their policies need to be, but I do think
Mailman needs to understand it's role as a "best practices" tool -- and I do
feel strongly that whatever an admin does, they do so in a mode that
involves informed consent with their users.


-- 
Chuq Von Rospach, Architech
chuqui@plaidworks.com -- http://www.chuqui.com/

Someday, we'll look back on this, laugh
nervously and change the subject.