Perspectives: I Didn’t Get that E-mail

Perspectives: I Didn’t Get that E-mail

You’ve heard the expression, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” In the internet world in which we live, there is more and more truth to that statement than ever before. Why, because of SPAM. There are billions of unwanted e-mails sent every month that fall into the definition of SPAM — you know, the stuff that offers amazing medical results and fantastic investment returns. At the same time though, there is some valuable information being sent to you that you may not be receiving. So now you might be thinking, “If it’s being sent to me, why am I not receiving it?”

The two most common ways to control SPAM are to block it before it’s sent to you, or filter it and hold it in an area where it can be reviewed before it gets to your inbox. I probably spend 15 minutes each day combing through the e-mail that has been blocked by our SPAM filter, looking for some legitimate e-mail communication. This could be a note from a reader like you or correspondence from a customer or potential, future customer — important stuff.

The other way the SPAM problem is controlled is by not sending it at all. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs), like AOL, use this tactic all the time. If AOL decides that someone is sending SPAM, then it will stop sending e-mail from that person. This is why I started with “you don’t know what you don’t know.” There are several methods used to identify a spammer, and you may play a role in one of them.

Like almost everyone who uses e-mail, I receive a ton of spam every day. Much of it offers to help me get out of debt or get rich quick. It would be funny if it weren’t so exciting.
– Bill Gates

When you are going through your inbox and come across unwanted e-mail, there are three actions you can take — delete it, open it and “unsubscribe,” or hit the SPAM button. The SPAM button sends a complaint note to the ISP that can lead to this sender being blocked. If it is a legitimate piece of e-mail and you don’t want it, then unsubscribe, allowing the good e-mail to still be delivered to those who want it. Anytime you have a chance to “opt-in” to an e-mail you value, do it to ensure it will continue being sent to you. So, when shopping for a new ISP, closely review its SPAM-blocking policies.

You May Also Like

Road Usage Taxes and Right To Repair

The federal gas tax has been around since 1932, and some state fuel taxes even longer.

While doing research for a recent AAPEX webinar on electric vehicle (EV) chargers, I found out that in some areas of the country, it is forbidden to charge customers for the kWh they consume while charging their vehicle’s battery. Instead, the charger’s owner can only charge by the time connected to the charger. But it also got me thinking about how electric vehicles will be taxed now and in the future.

Coffee, Cars and Casual Conversations

Vendors, suppliers, manufacturers and shop owners got the chance to visit the Babcox Media headquarters.

Aftermarket Artificial Intelligence 

Will aftermarket intelligence ever take over the world and kill all humans? Probably not.

Technician Shortage… Not For Everyone

Consider what you can change in your shop to combat the technician shortage.

Engine Bay Covers: Cosmetic or Comedic?

Each year, engine covers seem to get bigger and more difficult to remove.

Other Posts

Artificially Generated Customer Service

As easy as it is to TALK about customer service, actually offering it is NOT automatic. 

Catalytic Converter Theft Update

Converters are still being stolen at record rates.

Goofy Traffic Laws

Here are some of the wackiest rules you might not have heard about in Driver’s Ed.

As Cars Keep Aging, What Will The Future Look Like?

The big issue for the next 22 years is how sensors and software that make driving safer impact vehicle serviceability.