Vince wrote:
> Since the database was compiled from PAML, et al., Topica's position is
> that the owners *intended* to be listed in those directories, and thus
> would intend to be listed at Topica.
Or, rather they trusted the stewardship of the PAML owners.
I have no beefs with topica per se, but watch out for what arguments
you use to defend their actions:
> Topica has .. provied a straightforward mechanism for removing your
> list from the database.
> .... But since it is not possible for Topica to
> know, short of clairvoyance, which list owners want to be listed and
> which ones do not, ...
> Aggressive? Yes, perhaps. But then, Topica believes that the service it
> is providing will be a significant benefit to the list-owner community
> overall.
These are all arguments that spammers use (but I have a remove
mechanism, but I don't know in advance who wants my stuff, but I
believe I am providing a significant benefit to the folks who receive
my messages). Thus, you need to justify Topica actions on *other*
grounds, not these.
Some recommendations:
1. When a person uses the subscribe funtion to join a list, have there
be a box that they check that asks if the list should be invited to be
archived at topica (assuming this is the first request for that list).
This way it can be argued that it is the subscriber who authorized the
request and not topica. If I were to use topica to subscribe to a
list I think I would want to know how my subscription request might
differ from someone who uses normal means. I would not want to cause
any more work for the listowner over traditional means, including
increasing the mail they have to consider and possibly respond to. Of
course you will also then need to inform them that it is up to the
listowner to decide whether to join and not to bug them about it if
they don't join.
2. Consider allowing listowners to add their lists to your listing (I
didn't see an easy way to do so). And also include an entry that
would point to the (outside of topica) list archive (assuming you
don't already, I didn't see one at a few of the lists I checked).
Listowners would be more likely to be happy with the listings if it
increased exposure for any websites. Also, since the PAML includes
such information, the listowners may be listing there because of this
and therefore expect anyone using PAML to also include it.
As it is, having just recently added advertising to my list's archive
site, my whole perspective has changed. Now I want exposure for the
website and mailing list where I didn't before (or at best, it was a
decidely mixed blessing). I, too, now find it easy to want to make
spammer-type arguments on behalf of my list and website just as you
have done for topica. We think what we have is great and people
shouldn't mind a one-shot email about, eh? Be wary, this is an easy
trap to fall into.
--
Michelle Dick [EMAIL PROTECTED] East Palo Alto, CA
Owner, FATFREE Vegetarian Mailing List
http://www.fatfree.com/
