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W3WN
10-28-2010, 09:37 AM
I am not in a good mood right now, and I need to vent...

I think I just lost an old friend today, and all because of junque mail.

Let me explain...

We all get them. Bulk emails have taken the place of chain letters. Political messages, pro and anti military messages, love your fellow man, pray for this dying child, humorous stories to lift your spirits... all of you know what I mean.

Individually, they may be informative, uplifiting, or outright worthless. The first one, that is. When you get the same one forwarded to you 5, 6, a dozen times, the duplicates are annoying and junque mail.

So: Yesterday afternoon, within the span of about 20 minutes, I get two of these messages. Both from an email address that I'd never seen or heard of before. The address -- "Big Church @ a certain national telephone provider dot net" -- is vague. Is this someone's name, business, a religious person, a spammer, who?

More importantly, I'd already seen both of these messages. From my father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, my wife (forwarded from the f-i-l), two fellow ex-Home Depot inmates, and three or four hams. Now a new source?

So I sent a short, polite note saying "Whoever you are, stop sending me this stuff. I already get it from 4 other people!"

I get a nastygram back... from a different email address. It's a ham I've known for over 25 years, dating back to when I moved to Pittsburgh to work in a ham store, he ran the computer store in the same strip mall.

That is Ok Ron…don’t say anything to me at the next hamfest…OK ???

I respond:
Suit yourself. But I didn’t ask you to send me this stuff, and I’m already getting it from (call redacted) and 3 relatives, all of whom refuse to stop.

Once is enough. Five times is too much. That’s all.

In hindsight, I could have phrased that better, I do tend to be somewhat terse. But I don't think I'm out of line in asking someone to not add me to the email list for bulk chain email.

This was the reponse from him this morning:

Suite myself ??? I receive these as many as 5 times or more…I don’t run off at the mouth…Instead I simply delete them and let it be. This is the first time I sent anything to you…it won’t happen again. True colors can be seen for miles…;

Now I'm a patient man, most of the time, but this one got my dander up. I don't believe that I am at all out of line in asking an unknown new source of refried forwarded chain mail to stop sending it to me, nor do I believe that in doing so I deserve to be insulted. Needless to say, this set me off...

"True colors?:" Really? That was totally uncalled for and totally out of line.

What have I done to deserve to be insulted?

I get two emails of unwanted and unsolicited spam chain email from an address that I HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF BEFORE with no identifying indications of any kind. Both are messages that I have received to date from my father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, wife (courtesy of my father-in-law), two ex-co-workers from Home Depot, and three hams.

I simply ask that this unknown person stop sending these to me. This is not an editorial comment on the content. This is trying to keep my mailbox from being overflowed with multiple copies of the exact same (large) emails -- and by "multiple" I mean 5 to 10 copies.

And as a result, YOU get your nose out of joint, tell me to stop talking to you at hamfests, and now make insults about my character regarding my "true colors?" A simple request, and you accuse me of "running off at the mouth"???

And how the hell was I supposed to know that this email address was from you, anyway?

I am not making aspersions on you, your character, or your political beliefs, I am simply asking you to NOT forward mass emails to me, especially from an unknown email address -- different that the one you are using for these replies, I might add.

A simple request -- and for good cause -- does not justify insults. I have done nothing to insult you... but I resent your insulting me because I am tired of getting my mailbox filled with crap. And why the hell should I have to be inconvenienced in clearing my mailbox of unwanted stuff because you suddenly and without warning decide to start sending it to me from a semi-anonymous email address, anyway?

"True colors?" Not only was that totally uncalled for, but you'd better take a hard look in the mirror pal.

I don't know why you are spoiling for a fight. Go find someone else to feud with.

I don't know if I'm going to hear from him again. Betcha anything that if I do, it will escalate the nastiness, but I may just delete it without reading.

Suffice to say, someone I've known for 25 years won't be talking to me at the next hamfest, and probably not again for awhile. And all because I don't want 20 copies of the same old stuff that keeps circulating the 'net.

W3WN
10-28-2010, 10:42 AM
Well, this was to be expected:

You are amazing…and I thought…for years…that you were a really rational person. I even bought a radio off you.

What was I thinking ?? I never once insulted you…never. You took this as an insult.


If your email issues are stressing you out, I suggest you never click on another email again. Or, like I do, allow my email server to delete these things before they reach me. The issue you are talking about is American History…I did not send you porn. Let me see…How many people did you respond to (5 or 10) regarding this email that was originated by another Amateur Operator sent to many other amateur operators who were also war veterans ?? True colors are RED-WHITE-BLUE.

I have created a rule for your address…you are history.


Now take a minute, look at the call sign and look it up on QRZ.

Have a nice day.

The irony? I actually agree with the content of the mass email he is referring to. I did when I read it a week ago the first time I got it. I just don't want to keep getting it, over and over again.

But he questioned my patriotism and then blocked my email. I guess he sure told me!

KG4CGC
10-28-2010, 11:23 AM
You're both wrong.
But seriously, how is anyone supposed to know what's already in your inbox?

W4RLR
10-28-2010, 11:35 AM
Mail filters are a wonderful thing.

I gave my e-mail address to our club activities director, so I could be informed of club news. I get that AND all of the other stuff he feels is pertinent, most of which has nothing to do with amateur radio, and a lot to deal with right wing politics.

Thus, the mail from him goes into a separate box. Most gets put in the virtual circular file.

KG4CGC
10-28-2010, 11:38 AM
Mail filters are a wonderful thing.

I gave my e-mail address to our club activities director, so I could be informed of club news. I get that AND all of the other stuff he feels is pertinent, most of which has nothing to do with amateur radio, and a lot to deal with right wing politics.

Thus, the mail from him goes into a separate box. Most gets put in the virtual circular file.\Oh man, he's not forwarding right wing horse pics, ala Paladino?

W3WN
10-28-2010, 11:46 AM
You're both wrong.
But seriously, how is anyone supposed to know what's already in your inbox?

Fair enough. But if I ask him to stop sending the stuff me, am I being unreasonable?

KG4CGC
10-28-2010, 12:06 PM
Fair enough. But if I ask him to stop sending the stuff me, am I being unreasonable?
Perhaps, in his mind, you came off, poorly.

W5RB
10-28-2010, 12:17 PM
Fair enough. But if I ask him to stop sending the stuff me, am I being unreasonable?

Sounds like you went out of your way to be reasonable , and then he went out of his way to be insulting . I've pissed off people in the past by replying that I would NEVER read anything with the subject line "This is sooooo cute " or "dangerous email virus " . Gimme a break .

w3bny
10-28-2010, 12:18 PM
Mail filters are a wonderful thing.

the DELETE key is an even better thing.

Serious. My ex-wife sends me all sorts of crap. As well as others I know but hey. I dont have to read it.

<delete> <delete> <delete> <delete> OOOH free Pr0n..<delete> and another why I should join the tea party movement letter from the ex...<delete>.

In closing...the delete key is your friend

KG4CGC
10-28-2010, 12:22 PM
Perhaps a misunderstanding that could be cleared up via further communications. Often people here come off in a manner that they did not intend, myself included. The written word leaves open areas for further interpretation thus, that is why we have, lawyer speak in many written documents.
So in other words, yes, Ron. Sometimes I wonder who was the first to pee in your Cream of Wheat some mornings. Other times I just wake up guns ... a blazin'!

W3WN
10-28-2010, 01:42 PM
Sometimes I wonder who was the first to pee in your Cream of Wheat some mornings. Other times I just wake up guns ... a blazin'!
I never said I was an angel nor that I was perfect. I know better.

But you see, that's the first problem. I despise Cream of Wheat, but it's getting pretty damned tough to find Wheatena around here anymore! :-D

NA4BH
10-28-2010, 02:28 PM
Go kick him in the nads and be done with it.

KG4CGC
10-28-2010, 02:35 PM
Go kick him in the nads and be done with it.
OH! Roshambo anyone?

W3MIV
10-28-2010, 04:55 PM
The problem is the blind copy system that far too many people use to send this shit around. I have the problem here, in spades, for a bunch of my friends and associates are gun nuts. You can just imagine some of the stuff they send around. Also, it is known widely that I am both a Dumbocrat and that I voted for Obama -- add another layer of bullshit, some of it offensively racist -- to the mix.

Since these bozos send this stuff to each other using blind copy addressing, none of them has the good sense to realize that they are sending multimple copies of the same shit to everyone.

Ren is correct. No sense in getting pissed. Swallow hard, and use the delete button. It is frustrating to see eight or nine emails with exactly the same attachments pop into T'bird like chorus girls coming out of the wings, but busting a gut will only be counterproductive.

KG4CGC
10-28-2010, 04:59 PM
I used to get the same issue with fwd fwd fwd etc text messages. I simply stopped answering them and people stopped sending me all the boocrap.

KE7DKN
10-28-2010, 05:21 PM
I even bought a radio off you.

Hah! Best comment in the exchange.

W3WN
10-28-2010, 05:34 PM
Hah! Best comment in the exchange.

Yeah, he did. A few months after I won the TS-480, I sold him my TS-140 that was sitting and collecting dust.

He sold it at a loss within 6 months, or so he told me. Turned out that it wasn't the radio he thought it was.

Pity. It was a good rig. Well, for it's class and age.

I was so irritated this morning that if he still had it, I would have bought it back from him just to shut him up. Of course, now that he's blocked me, I can't tell him that. Tough noogies.

W3MIV
10-28-2010, 05:40 PM
I used to get the same issue with fwd fwd fwd etc text messages. I simply stopped answering them and people stopped sending me all the boocrap.

The ones I hate are from AOL assholes. Each of the bazillion emails is embedded as a link that has to be opened separately. Like the GD Pet Milk can illustration -- an infinite regression of emails! Arrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!

Automatic delete.

KE7DKN
10-28-2010, 05:45 PM
Yeah, he did. A few months after I won the TS-480, I sold him my TS-140 that was sitting and collecting dust.

Oh. I was going under the assumption that he bought the radio from you at the store you worked at. I am now much less amused.

W3WN
10-28-2010, 07:43 PM
Oh. I was going under the assumption that he bought the radio from you at the store you worked at. I am now much less amused.
At the time, if I had sold him a rig, it would have been a TS-130 or 430.

And I know I've been more than a little irritable of late... it's not much fun finding out that you're not nearly as healthy as you thought you were... but I am tired of people sending me stuff I don't want and then telling me I have to jump through hoops to prevent it.

PA5COR
10-29-2010, 05:59 AM
Mailwasher Pro.
Nuff said.

W3WN
10-29-2010, 09:13 AM
Mailwasher Pro.
Nuff said.

Which once again belabors the question as to why I (or any of us) should have to jump through hoops because some a$$wipe decides to start sending us this stuff.

Regardless, I don't think a simple request to someone to stop should be out of line. The more I think about it, if they get their nose out of joint because they think they're forwards are too important (and I'm talking about the usual junque) then their arrogance is not my problem either.

n0eq
10-29-2010, 09:34 AM
Which once again belabors the question as to why I (or any of us) should have to jump through hoops because some a$$wipe decides to start sending us this stuff...

You shouldn't. And you also shouldn't feel the need to apologize for the other guy being a phuk head.
Given the ultimatum "Allow me to pee in your email inbox or I won't be your friend", I would choose
the loss of a "friend" everytime.

It would be different if he made a mistake. But he didn't. He feels it's ok to do that.

Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke
www.n0eq.com (http://www.n0eq.com)

KC2UGV
10-29-2010, 10:20 AM
OH! Roshambo anyone?

I go first?

KG4CGC
10-29-2010, 08:12 PM
I go first?
LOL! no

W3WN
10-29-2010, 10:54 PM
OH! Roshambo anyone?
With or without the Lizard Spock variant?

suddenseer
10-30-2010, 12:43 PM
Write a rule if "FWD" is in the subject line then spam. I only use my work email for work (they watch everyone). 99% of it is gone. I will not send anyone on my list a fwd email. My very private email I use outlook/pop3 so the rule works. All else I use Yahoo.

KG4CGC
10-30-2010, 03:26 PM
Remember when everyone was getting viri via email? Then getting nasty-grams accusing you of sending the viri?
Seen a couple of business deals gone wrong in the mid 90's over this happening. Even lost a couple of customers over it when I worked at $*@(^%!@.

W3WN
10-30-2010, 03:33 PM
Write a rule if "FWD" is in the subject line then spam. I only use my work email for work (they watch everyone). 99% of it is gone. I will not send anyone on my list a fwd email. My very private email I use outlook/pop3 so the rule works. All else I use Yahoo.
For various reasons that are to boring to mention, that won't work. Not that I haven't considered it.

Regardless, the point still remains that the induhvidual got his nose out of joint because I asked an email address that I didn't know was his to stop sending unwanted email to me. He is so convinced that he is right, and that the subject matter justifies his being right, that he can not or will not grasp that I don't want any more junque mail from unknown sources in the first place.

It wasn't personal (how could it be, I didn't know who it was!) but he's taking it that way.

There is no justification, IMHO, for sending anyone junque mail when they have specifically asked you not to.

suddenseer
10-30-2010, 05:08 PM
Well, so far it has worked for me, no FWD messages.

I have sort of been on you ex ham friend's place before. About 12 years ago, I sent select people on my list a message, and link to a British newspaper's science section. It was a fascinating article of directly picking up optic signals from a cat's brain. They could see on a monitor what the cat was seeing. I got a nastigram from my ARC president telling me to never send him spam again. It was not forwarded, or looked like spam. He did not even read the article. He told me it was animal torture (it wasn't) they used glued electrodes on the head. I sent him a reply apologizing to him, and told him I removed him from my mailing list. I thought he would be interested because of the science angle. I saw him a few weeks later at a VE testing session. He said he did not know it was from me, and apologized. We have hardly spoke since.

W3WN
10-31-2010, 06:17 PM
Today I got a mass email from someone I never heard of before informing me of a "live ham broadcast" starting Wednesday morning.

I'm not actually sure, as the author of the email never quite says, but it seems like they're taking a field trip to MFJ and subsidiaries. (Is Mirage now an MFJ company? I missed that one) And there are going to be extensive interviews with Mr. Jue himself!

Unsolcited commercial advertising thinly (and poorly) disguised as "news".

So much for CAN SPAM.

I've told them to take me off their list. Let's see what happens.

n6hcm
11-01-2010, 03:49 AM
I only use my work email for work (they watch everyone).

i wonder why people just don't get why this is a good idea. it's not like free email possibilities aren't abundant ...

n2ize
11-02-2010, 04:16 AM
I have very severe rules for email. Unless you are on my list of valid and known people your email gets sent to /dev/null. I pick up the mail, it's filtered via procmail, and only adresess on the whitelist get to appear in my final inbox. To get on my whitelist you have to 1) know me. 2) have a good reason for needing to reach me. 3) provide me with your email address either verbally or in writing. All other emails are not accepted.

N7YA
11-02-2010, 08:37 AM
...only then may you step foot through the Emerald gates of the Kingdom of John....:giggity:

NQ6U
11-02-2010, 11:18 AM
...only then may you step foot through the Emerald gates of the Kingdom of John....:giggity:

"Pay no attention to the man behind the keyboard!"

N7YA
11-02-2010, 08:32 PM
I was talking about John, not Rudi. :lol:

W3WN
11-02-2010, 08:56 PM
Who pays any attention to Rudy?

N7YA
11-03-2010, 01:47 AM
Exactly!


....oh, well apparently we just did....

W3WN
11-07-2010, 07:03 PM
Just FYI, I spotted the ham who sent me the junque mail at the WACOM hamfest today.

I'll give Terry this much, he kept his word. Never even looked at me, let alone said anything.

Oh well. His loss.

W2NAP
11-07-2010, 08:31 PM
I had one idiot some years back. kept sending me the FWD shit, 10 sometimes 20 a day. always the same stupid shit "forward this to 20 people in 5 minutes or some dead girl is going to kill you"

told the fuker to quit sending me this shit.

next one i got.

loaded up a nice e-mail bomber and let it run for 30 minutes.

never got another junk mail from him again