1. [OT] ISPs are evil
For about a week now, I haven't been receiving posts via e-mail,
as I have been for the past several years. When I attempted to
post to Topica via e-mail, I got a reply saying my account had
been disabled due to bounced message. I e-mailed Rob and he confirmed
my dilema. He said he wouldn't be suprised if my account was
quickly re-disabled after he fixed it.
After poking around the website for Wide Open West (my cable
and high-speed internet provider) I discovered their new 'feature'
called SpamManager.
<snip>
SpamManager for all WOW! Internet accounts - Effective July 21, 2004
- Available to all WOW! Internet customers free of charge as part of
WOW! Internet service.
- Blocks and removes all e-mail with known viruses from server -
these e-mails will never run the risk of being opened accidentally .
- A message center is created for users, this message center holds
all e-mail blocked as questionable spam - users can log into their
message center from the WOW! portal page to deliver blocked e-mail to
their in box or delete the blocked e-mail.
- All blocked spam e-mail for sub accounts will be found in the
primary account's message center.
- Customers that want a higher level of spam filter can subscribe to
SpamManager Plus for $0.99/month (and then link them to the ordering area)
</snip>
And this is now in my 'Account Setup' page:
<snip>
SpamManager Plus - Manage Your Junk Email
For only $.99 a month you can manage your own Junk e-mail settings
and minimize the amount of spam you receive. You can even set up
approved and blocked sender lists to ensure all of your e-mail is from
the sources you trust.
Also by subscribing to SpamManager Plus, each of your WOW! Email
accounts will receive a Spam Message Center so you can create unique
settings and lists for each member of your family.
[Order Now]
</snip>
So I ask you, is this or is this not evil big-business marketing?
They've created a 'feature' I don't want. And the only way to remove
this 'feature' is to upgrade and pay for it? To me, SpamManagers are
an answer to a question that nobody asked (at least not me).
I guess I'll be posting from the web from now on.
~Greg
www.finalphasesoftware.com
2. Re: [OT] ISPs are evil
Greg Haberek wrote:
<snip>
- Available to all WOW! Internet customers free of charge as part of
WOW! Internet service.
</snip>
Okay, normal thing here, most ISP's are trying to install software to
prevent spam-mail, and virii-mail from getting to their customers,
therefore offering better service, and improving customer support.
(AKA, they want more money, and want you to get your friends to sign up
for their service)
<snip>
- A message center is created for users, this message center holds all
e-mail blocked as questionable spam - users can log into their message
center from the WOW! portal page to deliver blocked e-mail to their in
box or delete the blocked e-mail.
</snip>
Okay, from what I understand of this..... This is a _STANDARD_ Feature.
Meaning, that you should be able to access the Spam-mail control center
from your Web Portal account on your ISP's website, to allow you to
control what email is going to your (or your sub-accounts), completely
free of charge.
<snip>
- Customers that want a higher level of spam filter can subscribe to
SpamManager Plus for $0.99/month (and then link them to the ordering area)
</snip>
Now this is the intresting part. This is an advertisement for a
extended service, to give the user more control over their spamware
system, besides the previously advertised free service. (In otherwords,
if you want more then just the free service, they are more then willing
to accept your money for it!) Now we get to the intresting part. If
they are forcing you to buy the extended service before they will even
let you get control of your spam. Then let it be known, that this is a
classic False Advertisement lawsuit, in which can result in millions of
dollars in retrobution.
First, I'd email your ISP, asking them where the Access Web Front for
the Spamware system is on their Web Portal, for the default system. If
they say that you have to purchase the plus edition, return in reply,
and quote their page, saying that this is grounds for False
Advertisement class act, and that they either be giving you access to
the page, or they better be re-wording their information on thier system.
Just a bit of advice. 
Mario
