Anonymous posts

["Steph Teeter" <step@fsr.com>]

For the record,

As administrator of Ridecamp, I don't have a real problem
with anonymous posts in general. I'd prefer that folks are up
front with who they are and what they have to say - and If the 
posts are flames or accusations, then I'd  consider it in poor 
taste to remain anonymous,  but - let's face it, since this is an 
un-moderated list, anybody can basically say whatever 
they want, whenever they want. And they can sign their 
name however they want, and the truly inspired can 
even send email from a bogus address. So getting 
upset at unsigned posts seems rather pointless. 

Here's why there is the 'Guest' form: If I don't make Ridecamp 
a 'closed' list (which means that only subscribed members 
can post) then Ridecamp is vulnerable to spam - bulk email - 
some of which can be pretty raunchy. So, I elected to have a 
closed list. But, there are actually a lot of people who stay 
current with Ridecamp topics through the Archives, and would 
like to occasionally post a message. Or sometimes non-subscribers 
would like to make an announcement to the group. So the 
Guest form allows non subscribers to send a message to
all Ridecamp subscribers. The only downside is that there 
doesn't have to be a return email address on the posts - i.e.
folks can remain anonymous... but that's just not a big 
enough problem to cancel the positive aspects of having 
a Guest form.

Steph 
http://www.endurance.net



>PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO GUEST@ENDURANCE.NET!!!
>You must post replies to the actual sender listed below.
>
>From: guest 
>Email: guest@endurance.net
>
>This message shouldn't be posted (in
>my opinion), so this is a test.
>
>I replied "guest" to "FROM:" and
>I replied "guest@endurance.net" to
>"EMAIL:" (posting a ridecamp message
>as a guest, using the facility at
>http://www.endurance.net/).
>

>If you _are_ reading this message, then
>I suggest that the system be changed
>to disallow EITHER of the above
>responses.
>
>Letting anyone in the world post to
>ridecamp via this mechanism is one
>thing; letting them do so anonymously
>invites abuse.
>
>Ed Paige
>ag502@freenet.carleton.ca
>