Re: Spam ... that discussion has been way to long. Hasn't it?

mark@unicorn.com
Fri, 5 Feb 1999 10:42:36 -0800 (PST)

hal@rain.org wrote:
>Maybe it is time to see about creating an Internet Standard for ways
>of expressing "postage" or other distinguishing features of non-spam
>email.

My main concern with Adam Back's scheme (the only one I've seen mentioned) is that it's purely a cost to the sender, there's no benefit to the recipient. Ideally it should be a transfer of value, but I can't think of too many calculations that the average person would care much about.

But I think the idea of some kind of IETF standard is a good one, as it's a lever for getting such systems incorporated into email software.

Mark