Notes on Sending Mail

In order to reduce the impact of so-called "spam" (unsolicited bulk mail), I have implemented several measures on the achurch.org mail server to block unwanted mail, which would otherwise reach from hundreds to thousands of messages per day. Unfortunately, these measures can potentially block regular mail as well, if the server decides that the message "looks like" spam. In order to prevent your mail from being rejected, please keep the following notes in mind:

• Don't use HTML mail. "HTML mail" refers to mail written using the HTML formatting language (the language used to write web pages), and allows things like different-colored text or underlines to be included in mail. However, experience has shown that misuse of HTML mail in spam far outweighs its practical benefits, and I have therefore decided to filter all HTML mail. When you send mail, please use plain text (no formatting) only.
• Don't use blank or meaningless "Subject" lines. The achurch.org mail server will automatically reject any mail with a "Subject" line containing phrases commonly seen in spam (such as phrases relating to drugs, loans, or stocks). Even if such mail is accepted by the server, I often delete mail with a nonsensical or empty subject without reading it. Make sure your Subject line accurately reflects the contents of your message.
• Addresses and URLs seen in spam are blocked. The server will reject any messages containing a mail address or URL which has been seen in a previous spam message; in particular, domains which have been repeatedly used to send spam are blocked entirely. Make sure your "From" address is correct, and do not include any suspicious URLs in your message.
• Incorrectly configured servers may cause problems. While users of major providers should have no trouble, I have in the past seen mail rejected from people running personal mail servers or small companies with their own mail servers, due to configuration errors on those servers. If you experience such a problem, check in particular that your server gives a valid name in the SMTP HELO command.
• Beware of blocks by other providers. Some providers have chosen to blacklist the achurch.org mail server due either to its location (Asia/Japan) or the nature of its connection (a private server with a single static IP address). If you are using such a provider, you will still be able to send mail to me, but I will not be able to respond, and it will appear as though I either ignored or did not receive your message. If you believe you should have received a reply and have not, try sending mail from a different address. If you do find a provider which has this problem, please inform the provider of this link (http://achurch.org/dnsbl.html), which contains technical details for the provider's mail server administrators.
  
  Additionally, I am now refusing mail from providers which are using such blacklists. If you try to send me mail and get an error message saying "Your host is rejecting mail from achurch.org" or something similar, that is the reason. The following providers (domains) are currently being rejected:
  • cc.hut.fi
  • earthlink.net
  • hotmail.com
  • hotmail.co.* (all country domains)
  • live.com
  • live.jp
  • netcom.com
  • netscape.net

I apologize for any inconvenience caused by these measures.

Send mail to achurch@achurch.org

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