[epub] Re: Using 3rd Party Program vs hosting your own Enewsletter

["Diana Ward" <dianaward@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Re. the zero tolerance, our TOS does say that, but it is for the purpose of 
discouraging real spammers and allowing enforcement of the TOS. As I said in 
my previous email, we don't shut people down for a complaint, and I doubt 
most other hosts do either, no matter what their TOS says.

Diana Ward



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Myers" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Epub Discussion Group" <epub@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2005 2:18 PM
Subject: [epub] Re: Using 3rd Party Program vs hosting your own Enewsletter


> > The person who is stepping down as their web person has
> > said that it is not a good idea for the org to host its own
> > because all it takes is for one person to complain about
> > spam (even though they will have an opt in subscriber list),
> > for the whole site to potentially be shut down.
>
> Depends on how stable your web host is, and how smart their
> abuse department is. It can happen.
>
> For an organization of any size that doesn't have the internal
> tech savvy and a sane web host (and you never know about that
> last one), it's probably smart to use a third party host for
> mailings.
>
> The challenge is that, if your web host isn't sane, you can
> get shut down for spam complaints no matter who's sending the
> email. If it's about your site and someone complains, you can
> still get axed.
>
> My recommendations:
>
> 1. If you don't have the internal tech to handle a confirmed
>   email list, outsource it.
>
> 2. Know your web host. Read the Terms of Service and
>   Acceptable Use Policy. If you see the words "zero
>   tolerance," or you see anything that makes it look like
>   they have an itchy trigger finger, move. You should also
>   move if they don't forbid spamming and allow for shutting
>   a site down for spam. Both are bad signs.
>
> 3. Keep very regular backups of your site, including scripts,
>   databases, and lists of email addresses (yours). Know what
>   technology is needed to run the site, and have three backup
>   providers to go to in case of problems. Just a list of
>   places, not actual accounts.
>
> 4. Have a complete operational backup on an inexpensive host
>   somewhere, so you can get at least basic functionality
>   restored fast, while you get set up on a more complete
>   basis somewhere else in case of problems.
>
> Yes, this sounds like the way spammers work. It isn't. With
> the damage being done to legitimate companies over these
> issues, it's just good sense.
>
> If your web presence isn't that crucial, you may not need to
> do all of these. Or even any of them, depending. But they're
> options to keep in mind.
>
>
> Paul