On 24/05/2008, MurrayH at aol.com wrote:
Tweeters--Since I and all the Tweets above use AOL , it suggests that there might be something to do with that ISP that is causing the problem. Could you please help?? It might be just a nuisance, but because I, for instance, only schedule a SPAM report once a week, and if there is a wonderful bird alert reported on Tweeters--or a great dissertation on our PNW gull and/or sandpiper identification-- diverted to SPAM --and I automatically delete the whole enchillada. . . . !!!!! Please help, Murray


I run a small list server so I see lots of this sort of complaint. It isn't only AOL; many ISPs err on the side of tossing out good mail, especially mailing list mail. There are really only two things you can do. (*) Learn in detail what kind of control you have over what's called spam then complain your ISPs tech support if that isn't enough control. (*) If that doesn't work, vote with your dollars. YOU are paying for your ISP, and they need to be responsive to what YOU want. It's impossible for list owners to contact every brain-dead ISP to get whitelisted. And ISPs don't listen to senders of incoming mail anyway, because incoming servers aren't paying them directly.

Move to a good ISP, you'll be glad you did. There are scads of them, but none are big name national brands with an enormous advertising budget. Zipcon.com has been outstanding for the last 6 years or so I've been with them. They do dial up and DSL, and have pretty good coverage around the Sound. Eskimo.com is also great, and they cover much of the country now. [drizzle.com used to be on the excellent list, but they were bought out not long ago and I don't know how that's turned out. They might still be fine.] Most parts of the country have their own small local ISPs, and most of them care about what their customers want and do a good job of providing that. Using a big national ISP is kind of like only shopping at Barnes & Noble when you live down the street from Flora & Fauna or Powells.

To make your email address independent of which ISP you're currently using, get your own domain name. Most good domain name registrars will forward mail to your domain to your ISP address, amongst other features. I'm still using domaindiscover.com out of inertia. A lot of my friends like gandi.net.

Too hard to move? Then get an account on one of the free mail providers such as gmail, and zubscribe to your lists at that address. But that doubly rewards your ISP for their stupid behavior--they keep getting your money, and at the same time, you reduce their expenses...
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Allyn Weaks allyn at tardigrade.net Seattle, WA Sunset zone 5
Pacific NW Native Wildlife Gardening: http://www.tardigrade.org/natives/
"A proud member of the Reality-Based Community"