Susan:

        Not to add to the sure to be numerous RE's to this orginal posting.
I fully agree with you.

        Explaination:  I believe that the confocal newsgroup is reflected
back to the confocal listserver, and thus items sent to the newsgroup
are automatically posted on the listserver.   The problem comes when
spammers post to the newsgroup - illegally I might add - which is
where this message orginated.  Now if such messages can be filtered
before forwarding to the listserver, might be problematic (I wouldn't
like to ask ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU to have someone manually filter each and
every message passed from the newsgroup - and I do not think it can
be done automatically.)


        The correct response when such trash is received is to search the
headers of the message to find the host (it starts with the @, yours
[log in to unmask])  for the offending party (through which they
posted the message - it is generally NOT what's listed in the From:
box).  and forward a copy of the message to the postmaster, and abuse
@"offending host".  You can include a statement on where this message
came from, and you might wish to include the following:

"By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer meets
the definition of a telephone fax machine.  By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is
unlawful to send any unsolicited advertisement to such equipment.  By
Sec.227(b)(3)(C), a violation of the aforementioned Section is
punishable by action to recover actual monetary loss, or $500,
whichever is greater, for each violation."


        You usually find that the administrators of the host will inform you
that the offender has been dropped from accessing their system.   And
we can hope that with enough repetitions offenders will slowly be
culled from the planet.


        Fight the spamers - its a battle worth winning!


Richard E. Edelmann, Ph.D.
Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor
352 Pearson Hall
Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056
Ph: 513-529-5712        Fax: 513-529-4243
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

"WE ARE MICROSOFT.
   RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.
     YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED."