Hi Ben, We're experiencing this problem now also (even after I sent a polite email message to all our AOL subscribers). I'd like to try your solution, however, were using LISTSERV Lite and the Mail-Merge= feature is not available. Is there another work around? Thanks, Mike Clark =-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=- On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 23:11:20 -0700, Ben Parker <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 23:33:40 -0600, Michelle Wilbers <[log in to unmask]> >wrote: > >>"Script all messages to AOL list members with a unique identifier to be able >>to identify who >>is reporting the spam. This identifier needs to be inserted into the header >>in such a way as it is not stripped by their TOS Client reporting stuff." > >I use the capabilities of LISTSERV and LSMTP's mail-merge to do this, and I >don't put the information into the message headers because this is only >possible for one-way, announce-only lists where you control all messages. >This is not possible with discussion lists. Note that use of LSMTP is >REQUIRED to accomplish this with LISTSERV. > >Add this line to the list header of all affected lists > > Mail-merge= Yes > >Then I use this as the bottom_banner on all list messages: > >--- cut here --- >.ce ======================================== >.fo off >Attn: &*TO; >If you have changed your mind and you no longer want to receive this email, >please follow these UNSUBSCRIBE instructions: > >To unsubscribe: send email to > &LISTNAME-SIGNOFF-REQUEST@&MYHOST >or click here: > &WA_URL?SUBED1=&LISTNAME&&A=1&&s=&*TO; >--- cut here --- > >This produces a personalized banner at the bottom of each email message like >this: > > ======================================== >Attn: [log in to unmask] >If you have changed your mind and you no longer want to receive this email, >please follow these UNSUBSCRIBE instructions: > >To unsubscribe: send email to > [log in to unmask] >or click here: > >http://listserv.besteffort.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=DPRV- L&A=1&[log in to unmask] > >This bottom banner, being part of the message, is not affected by AOL and >comes through intact in the feedback complaints. Upon receiving such a >complaint response from AOL I immediately delete the user from all lists on my >server and issue a SERVE OFF DROP command for their address so they can never >attempt to resubscribe. (The SERVE OFF command requires Site Admin >privileges.) > >I also use > > Subscription= by_owner,confirm > >for all lists. The following language appears in the 'Questionnaire' sent to >all prospective subscribers (which they are required to "sign" and send back >in order to subscribe). > >------- >You have voluntarily asked to subscribe to this list. That implies you >understand the kind of email messages posted on this list, and that you >positively confirm that you desire and want to receive such messages. > >In the future, you may change your mind and no longer want to receive such >messages. However, because you REQUESTED to receive messages from this list >originally, you MUST acknowledge and agree that you have an OBLIGATION TO >UNSUBSCRIBE from this list rather than report the list emails as 'spam' >(mail you don't want to receive). If you do not accept this OBLIGATION, >then please do not confirm this message and please do not complete the >subscription process. > >When you falsely report this list's email as 'spam' it causes business >disruption to the server site hosting this list as a _free_ service to >your community. Further disruptions from such false 'spam' reports may >result in termination of this list for ALL participants. > >Please learn the difference between the 'delete' button and the >'report-as-spam' button in your email client program. Remember the >OBLIGATION you accepted by subscribing here in the first place. If >you share your email account with others, be certain they clearly >understand not to 'report-as-spam' the list email by mistake! > >-------------- >This has raised a number of eyebrows and some people think it is unecessarily >draconian. I have no patience for such people and wish them well subscribing >to lists on some other service. I have discovered painfully that as few as 2 >complaints by AOL users in 1 month may cause AOL to block mail from my server. >This is unacceptable to me. Other sites may/should adopt practices suitable >to their situation which may well be different. > >The second time this blocking by AOL happened, I wrote to all 3,000 or so >subscribers on all of my lists (in a personalized mail-merge message) and >explained that if it happened a 3rd time, I would simply close the server and >remove all lists. Admittedly, I run lists for free to members of local >volunteer organizations, so I don't have paying customers to contend with. > >Nevertheless, I believe that List Subscribers who truly have opted-in, also >have an obligation to opt-out (unsubscribe) when they change their mind about >wanting that list's mail. I make sure they understand and agree to that >obligation before they are allowed to subscribe to any of the lists I host. > >Your 'mileage' may vary... :-)