In comp.software.testing we're discussing the possibility setting up a
robot to send a FAQ pointer via email to all first-time posters.
We've just about given up on the idea, and decided to post the FAQ
pointer to the newsgroup twice a week instead.
One of the big reasons why we think sending email won't be effective is
because so many Usenet return addresses are intentionally bogus. The
same mechanisms that thwart the spammers would also render the FAQ
robot useless. I don't want to debate the issue of munging the
addresses in the first place, but I would like ask if there are other
newsgroups that have a robot mechanism like this, and how they're
dealing with the bogus addresses.
-Danny