Re. these sad little spammers.

[musicalbodger]

How about we all send multiple emails to them — preferably highly abusive (copy & paste the email address into the BCC field about 100 times should do it)
If one does it it won't be noticed but if all forum members do it, it might just make a point.

If you don't want them to have your regular email address, set up a special Hotmail (or similar) account.

Anyone up for it?

[billkath]

No-you're not understanding the problem, Bodge.
People don't do the spam-it's all automatic. The only human involved is at the very beginning, writing out the Captchas for registration. Usually, these are non-english speakers, who just copy what they see. After they manage to register, the rest is automatic. The e-mail address will be a once-off, and will never be read by the spammer. don't waste your time replying.
Best advice-ignore it.
Dirk is working on a number of ways to reduce the spam.

[musicalbodger]

I understand what you're saying, Billkath, but my take on these phone sales ads, that are coming through so frequently, is that someone must be picking up the emails at the other end. I don't believe they're doing this just to annoy. They're presumably doing it to get a contact to either sell duff phones or phish for card/bank details. Are you saying that a computer reads and identifies any contact emails that are sent?

[billkath]

I'm saying that 99 times out of 100, the e-mail address is not a real address, but a masked address and the people at the other end will use the headers on the e-mail you send, and then add that new e-mail address to their list of people to send spam to. The company named is usually not aware of what is happening in most cases-they pay a company to raise their web profile for sales. They have no idea about the methods used.
You're in the UK-aren't you? How about tracing Linco and making a phone call to them-to see why they are doing it? You'd feel much better screaming at a person than through an e-mail. It'd be an interesting thing to do, and not difficult.
Linco Communications
CityLab,
4-6 Dalton Square,
LANCASTER,
LA1 1PPTel : 01524590530

WARNING : Using the above information for marketing purposes of any description is strictly prohibited.

[musicalbodger]

Thanks for that info, Billkath.
I hadn't noticed the company was in the UK. I will definitely phone them. Don't have time to do it before Friday, but I will do on Friday and let you know their response. As you say, much more satisfying to rip into a real person when you're feeling righteous.

[billkath]

yep. See-i really beleive that this product placement stuff is really counter-productive-it just annoys people. you can't tell web people that, though!

[Bill C]

Am I right in thinking the spam posts are for search engine optimisation? ie the more pages that link to your site, the higher up a list of search results your site is listed...?

[billkath]

Yes-in most cases that's correct.