Comments on: Brand New Site by Cranking Widgets

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:02:54 +0000

Thanks for putting it on again!

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:29:37 +0000

Thanks! Used the URL as footer in my emails since 2008. Now it seems to be expired, any suggestions?

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 24 May 2009 12:00:51 +0000

bccplease.com doesn't seem to be working

By: 'Chelle

'Chelle — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:14:12 +0000

Gee, I never thought of that. See, when I set up my address book, I indicated for each name and address that it should display as “Mike”, or “Winky” or “Fishdancer” or “JanE”. That way, when I click on the people I want to send anything to, only those designated “names” show in the “TO:” space, no addresses or other idendifiers. Hey, it works for us. It ought to work for preset distro lists as well.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:02:59 +0000

The main reason I encourage F&F to use BCC is this:

It only takes one well-intentioned FoaF to forward an e-mail with EVERYBODY'S e-mail all exposed, and sooner or later those names end up 4 sale on some Spam network. IOW, you've helped to confirm to Spambot scrapers out there that this is fresh meat – likely to be real/actual/live addresses. This is far preferable to raw dictionary attacks, so just a few bogus or compromised e-mail relays out there will gobble up stuff like this for “fun and profit” (mostly “profit”).

Anyway – my $.02. If your page had some info on the “why” of “why not to do this” other than just netiquette, I'd link to it.

By: Hughe Palmer

Hughe Palmer — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:42:22 +0000

Yes!! Well done indeed.

It's amazing how many people are oblivious to this simple task. I have had to take this issue up with several companies who send out newsletters or promotional materials and expose hundreds of email addresses.

Definitely placing the link in my signature for a while.

By: Joel Falconer

Joel Falconer — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:01:20 +0000

This is the kind of link that should be included in all serious email user's signatures!

By: Giania

Giania — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:11:51 +0000

Well put, thank you.
Though the volume of total crap emails in my life has diminished significantly, there are still emails which come to me with lists of strangers. I can't help but think that some of these people would prefer their info not be broadcast all over hell and creation.

This is a good addition to the slowly growing series of “polite reminder” sites.

By: Chris Guillebeau

Chris Guillebeau — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:42:57 +0000

Looks good, I like it. I will probably send someone to it at some point because I get a lot of useless forwards from the uneducated.

However, I also have some concerns about the use of BCC in general that I always think of whenever someone advocates for its use. BCC can also be used to cover-up names and email addresses that the others on the message *should* be aware of.

In a similar fashion, it is sometimes used to copy someone on a message without letting the recipient(s) know this has been done. IMO this is not usually honest, and even if it is, it is dangerous because then you risk being found out.

But for forwards and random newsletters, yes, BCC is the way to go.