60 Second Window 78 Wrong about SPAM???

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#78 Wrong about SPAM?

Could we have been wrong about SPAM???
Is there good spam?

Our recent press releases about the launch of the ìAnti-SPAMî logos page in The Design Center has brought us some rather unexpected response. It would seem that the population of the web either likes SPAM, or is not talking.

Eventhough the spam logos page has had a steady, and steep growth in visitors and downloads, an alarming percentage of response is actually defending SPAM! Many visitors are asking if our stance on the topic is not too severe.

We had no idea that so many people would disagree with our crusade to eliminate spam from better web sites. Why? Is it the money?

You tell me: What do you consider to be SPAM?

One respondent was particularly articulate yet gentle concerning our campaign against SPAM, and the Anti-Spam logos we've posted for Spam-Free websites...

A reader writes:
" I am alternately sympathetic, confused, and concerned.

The sympathy: Yes, sites overloaded with graphics and banners (particular animated gifs) are a real problem, and I am happy to see someone trying to do something about it.

The concern: Unsolicited commercial email and mass posting to newgroups are serious problems that threaten our ability to use the Internet. These are not acceptable forms of advertising. So companies have searched around for ways to promote their sites in other ways. Most people consider banner ads annoying, but acceptable. You can, after all, turn off image loading in most browsers. I am afraid by lumping banners in with spam, you are 1) diluting the message against email and newsgroup spam; 2) forcing companies (which are here to stay on the Internet) into a position where no form of advertising is acceptable, so they will just do whatever they want.

Again, I am sympathetic to your view that some sites REALLY overdo it. Yet, as I am extremely concerned about email and newsgroup spam, your campaign worries me. "

We want to continue this investigation very carefully because we want to hitch our wagon to the philosophy that is correct. This reader has very valid points -- but the ball is in our court. Have we overstepped the boundary? Are ad banners for unrelated products "okay" in your opinion? What does it take to repulse you?
Help me out here.

On March 2nd the Spam-Free website logos were posted for
use by those who develop Spam-Free websites.

Get the whole picture at
http://www.graphic-design.com/PubWarehouse/NoSpam/No-Spam.html

Fred Showker

Fred Showker is director of The Design & Publishing Center on the web at http://www.graphic-design.com, and is a co-founder of both The User Group Forum on America Online, and The User Group Network at http://www.user-groups.net. He has been a user group activist and supporter since 1984.

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