IP: NSI "Spam"

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Fri, 4 Jul 1997 17:53:51 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ron Fitzherbert <ron () penguin net>
To: David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
Subject: NSI "Spam"


It is bad enough that the Internic sends out a 20K message for each domain
at renewal time, but now they are using that message as a medium for what
IMHO is a spam.


(excerpted from renewal notice):


####################################################################


                              SPECIAL
                 Network Solutions, Inc. Announcement


        ACTIVATE YOUR WEB SERVER'S SECURITY FEATURE
                WITH A DIGITAL ID FROM VERISIGN


        A Digital ID (SM) from VeriSign will enable your site to provide
        secure (SSL) commerce solutions for customer communications.


        Enroll before July 31, 1997 and you will also recieve a personal
        $30 gift certificate to be used at the popular Virtual Vineyards
        web site!  You will be able to use the certificate to purchase
        a variety of items ranging from special coffees, cheeses and
        beverages!


        INTERESTED?  Visit https://srs.internic.net for more information.


        WANT A TEST DRIVE?  Try the VeriSign Free Evaluation
        Digital ID at the same web site.


###################################################################


Now, I wonder how advertising fits into a government contract?


Ron