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AOL Internet Security Advisory Notice
We want you to be aware that AOL has been stepping up their Internet security, to the point where any unauthorized email to individuals on their site could have the consequence of cutting all Critical Path Project users off from anyone using AOL. Here's why: Each time you or your mailing list sends an unsolicited or unwanted e-mail to an AOL subscriber that the subscriber has the option to click on a button, "This message is spam", and when they do that, it tells AOL that Critical Path Project is violating AOL's e-mail policy. AOL monitors this vigorously, and when they get enough of these messages, they take action. They have taken action against Critical Path Project more than once in recent months. We have worked with them each time, but we really need everybody's cooperation. There is a real risk that we could be cut off from AOL and none of us wants that to happen.
We are making some tools available to everyone who is using Critical Path Project Internet Services. There are two technical features in Listserv that are helpful. Go to http://listserv.critpath.org/cgi-bin/wa
At the bottom of the screen there is a link: "Information on the LISTSERV e-mail list management software General information about L-Soft's LISTSERV software, including the official LISTSERV documentation."
That will take you to LSOFT's site where you can find Listserv documentation. The commands and procedures are in the Listowners manual.
- The first feature is TOP_BANNER, BOTTOM_BANNER. When these template forms are present, their contents are automatically inserted at the top (respectively bottom) of each and every message posted to the list. Typically, the top banner would be used for a copyright or short legal warning which absolutely has to be seen by each and every reader.
The bottom banner could contain instructions for signing off the list, a disclaimer, an acknowledgement of a sponsor's contribution, a "tip of the week", etc. The top banner could provide instructions for how to unsubscribe from the list.
- The second feature is subscription renewal. This feature sends a message to all list subscribers and requests that they confirm their subscription. The confirmation request mailing asks the subscriber to send the command CONFIRM listname back to LISTSERV. If the subscriber does not do so within a certain length of time, LISTSERV automatically deletes the subscription. The default delay time is 7 days; it can be set to 30, e.g.
We urge you to take advantage of these tools so that we can avoid complaints to AOL. We also urge you to refrain from sending multiple unsolicited emails out, particularly to AOL addresses.
For further information contact critpath@critpath.org.
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