On Thu, 15 Apr 1999 11:38:41 -0700 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> From the day I started Liszt in 1995, Liszt has been an 'opt-out' robot.
> We always trumpeted this fact: for the first three years, Liszt's main
> About/Help/FAQ page, linked to from every page of Liszt, began with the
> words, "Liszt is basically a mailing list spider. It queries servers
> from around the globe and compiles the results into one directory..."
Ah, so it doesn't actually query *people*, just other robots. I don't
personally have a problem with this.
> Nor does that surprise me. The right of Internet directories' spiders to
>collect and dispense information from servers has been long-established.
>From *servers*, not people. And they don't dispense copyrighted content.
> more in-your-face than what Liszt does. Liszt just reports the existence
> of various mailing lists, and how to subscribe, as reported by various
> list servers around the world.
Again, by querying automatic *servers*, not people.
> Anyways. I do not and cannot speak for Topica, Liszt or anybody but
> myself at this point. But I didn't feel like sitting on my hands,
> either.
The recent complaints about Topica have not been about them sending
unsolicited email to automated servers, but rather to people.
> Again: if you like Liszt, I think you're going to love Topica.
Why, do they also restrict their information gathering to only servers
(i.e. web sites, automatic mail software, or posters on public
billboards) and not bother individual people with unsolicited
requests?
--
Michelle Dick [EMAIL PROTECTED] East Palo Alto, CA
Owner, FATFREE Vegetarian Mailing List
