Another group sends complaints to ISP of offender. If spammer used a forged address however, they quickly learn that this is a waste of time. They receive back a very nice note from ISP, telling them that address they are complaining about doesn't exist on their server. They stop doing this very quickly, but still hate spam.

They then buy software that will parse a note and send a complaint to every URL or email address contained in spam. Or worse yet, they complain to some self-appointed guardian of web who does it for them. This is OK if it is a legitimate piece of spam, but I have seen this done by someone who subscribed to a Newsletter, had a very senior moment, forgot they had subscribed, and did it to publisher.

This means that ISP of every single URL or email address contained in newsletter gets sent a complaint. This includes everyone who is identifiable in Newsletter such as authors of articles, advertisers in Newsletter and anyone else who happens to have their web site listed there. Hey folks this just isn't fair.

There are too many other ways to solve problem of spam arriving in your mailbox. First of all, much spam is generated if you use your email address on web or in a chat room. Your best bet is get free "throw away" addresses, and when need for address doesn't exist any longer, simply cancel it.

If you own your own domain, use an address that you tie in with your advertising. When that starts to get overloaded, and it will, change it in your ads and filter messages to old address to your trash bin.

Is it a bane or is it a boon. If you let it control you, it falls into first category. But if you use it intelligently, it can be a most valuable asset to you and your business.

I publish my newsletter three times a week and send several solo ads, and I offer free ads to my subscribers through an adcode. I include a classified editon of subscriber ads, but I also provide a article ezine to balance it out.I am generous and care about my list.I do my best to remove anyone that wishes to unsubscribe, even though each email has an unsubscribe link enclosed. My list is 100% optin.and double opt-in for most. The latter may be a hassle, but it sorts out serious subscriber from greedy one.I do not care to have someone come along and try to get more then what is offered. Take it or leave it alone.

I receive hundreds of emails a day, probably 2/3 of them are junk, I did not ask for them, but I look all my email over. That means 1/3 is either subscribers or ezines I subscribed to,or business.

I spend alot of time reading and sorting email. I find many good ideas and resources, and many emails that go nowhere, but in trash...Why? Because of a bounce and possibly a sale if they had only provided a reachable email address. Nuf Said!