Use BCC field when addressing mass mail
PLEASE READ and become a better E-mail user. This information is intended not only to make you a neater
"E-mailer" but one that is more considerate and more thoughtful...
Your friends will be thankful.
Would you write your
friends' phone numbers on the walls of public places? If you answer no, then
why would you share their private E-mail addresses with a group of strangers, many of
whom will CARELESSLY forward the same addresses to even more strangers?
Don't do it! Instead, use the BCC feature of your E-mail program.
BCC means
Blind
Carbon Copy.
It is a way of addressing mail to more than one person so that everyone's address
is not displayed for all to see. Every E-mail program (including the free, web-based
E-mail services) allow you to address messages using BCC, in other words, to
"BCC" one or more recipients. Some require that you provide at least
ONE address in the TO: field. If this is the case, place YOUR OWN address in
the TO: field and all your recipients' addresses in the BCC field.
WHY:
- Using BCC protects
your recipients' E-mail addresses from being spread to strangers.
- Using BCC helps
prevent SPAM (Unsolicited Commercial E-mail)
- When using BCC,
messages will be easier on your readers because they will be smaller, with
fewer addresses on each message.
- They will download faster and will use less bandwidth.
- Using BCC shows
your consideration of others by not publishing hundreds of your friends' addresses
to strangers and potentially, SPAMMERS or maybe even stalkers.
How to BCC:
- AOL does
not have a dedicated BCC field. To send mail via BCC, place addresses and
screen names in the CC field surrounded by parentheses. For example: (billyg@msn.com,
SteveCase, lunchmeat@spam.net)
- Outlook
Express: To turn on the BCC
field:
Create a New message and choose View, All Headers.
- MS-Outlook:
To turn on the BCC field
Create a New message and choose View, BCC.
- Netscape
Messenger: To send via BCC, type the first address, click the To:
button on the left of the name and choose
BCC from the drop-down list. After
pressing ENTER, each subsequent address you type will be Blind Carbon Copied.
- Lotus Notes
- the BCC field is right there. Nothing to "turn on", no hoops
to jump through, just use it!
- Juno Mail
- Juno versions earlier than 3.0 do not allow BCC. However with Juno 3.0,
the BCC feature exists and works just like AOL. There is no dedicated BCC
field. Instead, place alias/nickname, mailing list name, or e-mail address
in CC field and surround entire collection in parentheses.
- WebTV - IF
it can be done, they don't mention it here.
- In Gmail
and Yahoo! Mail: click Add BCC
while in a new message. The BCC field in Hotmail
is staring you right in the face.
Related Links
Don't
be Lazy, Stupid or Inconsiderate - learn email etiquette and pass the word
And while you're at it, resize those huge photos
before emailing them! Please!!!
Spam
Virgin - A Spam Test was conducted by Salon.com
ScamBusters
Actual Stories (yeah, right!):
How Gullible are we? (a very short story)
Gullibility Virus (a must read for many)
Chain Letters (hilarious if you can handle the language)
Don't Believe It!(a REAL story)
Resources/The Truth - (there's help out there; SEEK IT.)
Thirteen Things Every Net User Should Know (must read)
SNOPES - Urban Legends Reference Pages (always my first resource to learn whether it's a hoax)
Computer Virus Myths home page (a great source for more info)
MAKE.MONEY.FAST (a good warning)
USPS - "Bill 602P" COMPLETELY UNTRUE
Symantec Virus HOAX Database
Don't be Duped

as of 3/13/2003
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