Email harvesting?

[JustMe]

I friend gave A1Javascripts my private email address for that tell-a-friend thing and I've just had an email from them but with his email address placed in the reply-to line.

Can't say I like the practice very much but I'd also like to know if they have retained my email address in any way.

If so, I'd like it removed please.

[Jason]

No emails were harvested in the telling of this friend. The script does exactly what it says, nothing more, nothing less.

[JustMe]

Thanks for the assurance Jason but as the entire content of that email was generated by A1Javascripts I'd have prefered that they had put their own address as the reply-to rather than risk creating a false impression.

If they wanted to put his, the recommender's, name or address in the subject line that would be fine but anything else looks to me like a - perhaps fairly harmless - deception. I hope they might consider this view.

Again thank you for the assurance that email addresses are not retained.

[Jason]

Hi JustMe

I think that you will find that using the sender's own email address as the reply-to address is a fairly common practice for this type of script. Even though some or all of the message may be pre-written, your friend is still the person that sent it, and not an administrator, or webmaster of A1JavaScripts. I have a strong feeling that if it was the other way around, people would tend to think that they were on a list, and we would get many complaints to remove them from our spam list (when in fact of course, there is no list).

[Ian]

Hi JustMe,
The recommend it script on A1 requires the user to fill THIER email address in so they do not think it is spam mail from the site.
Quote:
"Simply fill in the e-mail address of the person(s) you wish to tell about A1 JavaScripts - Your Website Enhancement Center, your name and e-mail address (so they do not think it is spam or reply to us with gracious thanks), and click the SEND button. If you want to, you can also enter a message that will be included on the e-mail."

What I suggest it that you see the script for yourself and see how it operates. It cannot have been sent to you without your friend recommending it to you, he/she also has to enter yours and their email address for it to be sent, they have the option of sending a personal message also.

Although the email was generated and sent from A1 your friend had to do it, there is no deception or false impressions, he/she was simply being thoughtful in recommending a site you might like to visit and A1 has supplied the option for visitors to do so. ( which I might add gets used very often ).

Another point I would like to say is that there IS actually a list generated which contains user information on who has used it. It details information on the date and time it was used including the url of the page recommended and the email addresses of the referrer and recipient (yes, that is you). However this file IS only known by me and is viewed from time to time to gain information on the popularity of A1 and what categories users find useful so I can supply more of what visitors are looking for and try and make A1 a better place to visit. The email addresses are not even viewed or used as they contain no information on making A1 a better place they are simply a number and part of the script.

I hope this solves your query on the process of this type of script, but if you still have questions, I'll be happy to respond to them here for you.

Ian - Webmaster A1 JavaScripts

[jbayliff]

Novice (That's me) seeks verification of software called Desktop server 2000 email harvesting program. It pops up everywhere when I search on that topic. Sounds too good to be true for $299.
I am interested in such a tool to market my home business and product legally.
Can anyone comment ?send me an email to jbayliff@cub.kcnet.org with a reply. I will only be here for a few m0ore minutes so reply to the email if possible.
Thanks,
Jeff