What is spam?
The term spam refers to unsolicited, unwanted, inappropriate bulk email, usenet postings and MUD/IRC monologs. For the purposes of this guide we will use the term spam primarily in reference to email, which is what is generally understood to mean when used in connection with the internet. Spam is often referred to as unsolicited Bulk Mail (UBM), Excessive Multi-Posting (EMP), Unsolicited Commercial email (UCE), SPAM mail, bulk email or just junk email.
SPAM is unwanted junk e-mail sent to your electronic mailbox. SPAM can be an annoyance to members but is a serious problem for Internet service providers because of the sheer volume of it traversing the various networks, clogging up the “pipelines” coming into the servers and routers. TheVillages.net Rules for User Conduct Policy specifically prohibits SPAM from being sent from anywhere on it’s network.
• Spam is an unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE). • Spam causes lost productivity. • Some spam is offensive (e.g. pornographic or vulgar). • About 35% of the email coming to Ames is spam (as of October 2005). Not all users consider all unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE) as SPAM. Automated methods for handling spam are not foolproof.
