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Sat, 15 Apr 1995 14:28:33 GMT |
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Universidad de Las Palmas de G.C. |
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]Trish Forrest <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
][...] I don't like the idea either and I have prepared a 'standard
]msg' to send out. This worked out well until I received a request
]from a list owner to filter out an entire commercial network due to
]abuse on one list. I'm still uncomfortable with the 'concept' of
]filtering out everyone on a network because of one person. Since I
]received no reply from the postmaster (except a "Got your mail, get
]back to.") I guess they didn't care one way or the other.
There are perhaps two aspects worth discussing here:
(1) Punishment of whole groups is illegal in most "civilized"
countries. If the owner required you to filter a whole group
(already subscribed to the conference) based upon a few individual's
behaviour, it may be considered as a group punishment. We need a
code for listowners based on International law. Also, an
International board of Senior listowners with who would discuss
conflicts and ethical issues and give recommendations;
(2) I have run several times into the AOL and COMPUSERVE problems:
In FISH-ECOLOGY, frequency of bad e-discipline is significantly
higher among XX.COM subscribers than in any other group: Bounces [
mailbox full, user unknown (cause they pay no fee)], don't unsub,
don't read aims & rules, etc. Furthermore, spamming and the like
comes to networks more often from enterprises with a .COM access.
However, there are very serious subscribers too (retired academics,
journalists, freelance writers, teachers, etc.) behind XX.COM. They
are highly motivated and they _pay_ for the relatively high volume
of traffic.
I have contacted .COM Postmasters several times: The problems will
only grow if they do not actively educate their users. Perhaps,
letting them know in advance that "if statistics get worse" they may
not be allowed into the academic networks may set some pressure on
them.
Anyhow, it looks unethical to me to deny/delete access to whole
groups. It is group punishment.
Aldo-P. Solari/FISH-ECOLOGY.
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