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Spam and E-Mail. Spam. Spam is unwanted e-mail usually meant to sell something to the recipient. If a business or organization with which you are affiliated (bank, museum, etc.) sends you information, it is not technically spam, although you may not wish to receive it.
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Spam • Spam is unwanted e-mail usually meant to sell something to the recipient. • If a business or organization with which you are affiliated (bank, museum, etc.) sends you information, it is not technically spam, although you may not wish to receive it. • Name is possibly inspired by the old Monty Python sketch.
Spam Lies • It might state that you asked to be on the mailing list. • It might state that it will remove you from its mailing list if you ask. • It might make claims about an amazing product or deal. • LIES LIES LIES!!!
Avoiding Spam • Set up a separate e-mail account (like on yahoo) to receive any e-mail that could lead to spam and more spam. • Provide this account for subscriptions, warranty cards, or other commercial requests. • You should be able to give your real e-mail address out to friends, schools, government. • Uncheck boxes that ask if you are willing to be sent e-mail that reflects “your interests”, etc..
Filters (if you’re getting spam) • Most e-mail programs have a filtering system. Very general: varying degree of sensitivity. • Can sometimes tell e-mail to block certain domains. • Many third party programs exist. Computer magazines review them.
Dealing With Spam E-Mails • Never use the link that states to “click here to be removed from mailing list.” It’s a scam to confirm your e-mail. • If an established company (your bank) sends you a message, can use the “click here to be removed” option. • Don’t click on the link to learn more (although sometimes it’s hard to resist.)
Your Web Pages and Spam • Never put a web address on a web page. • Use a graphic to hide the text that appears. • Rework the HTML: “@” is the “@” (at-sign), and that “.” is the ".” So, jsarachan@sjfc.edu would be jsarachan@sjfc.edu
Discussion Groups and Spam • When posting on Usenet: • Give a fake e-mail • Give your spam e-mail (yahoo) • Add an obvious phrase: jsarachan@ihatespam.sjfc.edu
Is E-Mail Always Appropriate? • Ask if e-mail the best way to communicate? (sensitive material, slower to write) • Don’t e-mail to avoid contact. • Don’t e-mail when you’re angry. • Resist humor and tongue-in-cheek comments if they can be misunderstood. • There will be a record. • Don’t send spam.
Writing E-Mail Carefully • Be concise • Proofread the e-mail (spell check) • Save the e-mail frequently (draft) • Check e-mail address • Create a clear subject (add “Action”, “FYI”, or “Urgent”) • Avoid capital letters • Announce attachments
Replying to E-Mail • Scan all message to see if situation has changed • Don’t return all of sender’s message (cut and paste) • Revise subject line if subject changes
Formatting E-Mail • Use design in longer messages (bullets, headings) • Date and address provided by program • Include salutation (“Dear Jane:” or “Jane”) • Double space between paragraphs • Make any important questions into a paragraph. • Don’t hit return after each line • Avoid all capitals or all lowercase • Include your name and/or signature at end. Closing optional (“Sincerely”, “All the best”.)
Writing E-Mails • Introduction, Body, Conclusion • Active voice • Make listed items parallel • List steps: • “To find a web site, turn on the computer, open Internet Explorer, and then type the URL of the website.”
E-Mails that Inform • What the e-mail is about • Why a policy or event is occurring • What are the procedures for the policy or event
E-Mails that Request • Requests should be respectful and courteous • Directions should be written clearly • Precise deadlines should be provided
E-Mails that Respond • Concisely summarize the response and date of request • Provide information • Summarize information
E-Mails that Sell • Send targeted e-mails • Offer something special for recipient • Make it easy to receive offer • Keep message short and conversational • Focus on “you” • Develop only one or two points • Allow for removal from mailing list • Make it easy to respond
Net Acronyms • BFN: Bye for now • BTW: By the way • GR8: Great • IMO: In my humble opinion • LOL: Laughing out loud • POV: Point of view • ROTFL: Rolling on the floor laughing • TIA: Thanks in advance • Page 223-224
Emoticons • :-) or :) Smiling • :-( or :( Frowning • :-o Shock • ;-) or ;) Winking • Page 226
Email Etiquette • http://www.emailreplies.com