Re: [Asrg] Adding a spam button to MUAs

Alessandro Vesely <vesely@tana.it> Thu, 28 January 2010 05:42 UTC

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Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:42:31 +0100
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Subject: Re: [Asrg] Adding a spam button to MUAs
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On 28/Jan/10 03:46, Douglas Otis wrote:
> 2) Not all unwanted email falls into a definition of spam.
> Unfortunately, when provided a limited set of options, pressing a "This
> is Spam" button likely communicates a message as unwanted or is
> considered junk, even when from a mailing-list previously opted in, or
> perhaps an auto-response in language the end-user is unable to read.
> After all, not all recipients share a common native language.

Even worse, users will learn what the button means by the effect (they 
think) they obtain by hitting it, which may vary.

I'd consider bringing up a confirmation dialog when disambiguation is 
needed.

> End-users can be a poor judge as to what is spam. Abuse desks receiving
> complaints of unwanted email need to ascertain whether there is evidence
> of spam, such as content clearly in the commercial interest of the
> sender, and not the recipient, etc.

One key point is to establish which complaints require human 
inspection and why. This can be done better deploying collaborative 
interchange with trusted senders.