Cactus — Thu, 16 Aug 2001 20:15:22 +0000

Well...I told my client I didn't know how to do it nor would I do it if I knew how to do it. I don't want to be known as the web designer who does unethical sites. I also convinced them that they wouldn't want to be known in their industry as doing an unethical practice and that it would hurt their business in the long run.

I can understand how this client feels. They see a bunch of visitors looking at their site on the server reports and wonder who they all are with no way of ever finding out.

What still puzzles me is how I can go into a site I've never been in before on a particular topic, and then all of a sudden I receive several e-mails relating to the same topic. I never filled out a form or gave my e-mail. Any ideas?

mairving — Mon, 13 Aug 2001 23:39:03 +0000

It can't really be done. The only way possible for them to do it is a guess. I suppose that if you named your computer bob and your ip resolved to domain.com (this would be in the referrer logs), then they could send out an email to bob@domain.com and maybe email you. Of course, if you are smart your computer name is something like Xs7l15CckYAC or something meaningless like that. Beyond that there is no possible way to obtain an email address.

Even if you could figure out a way to do it, it would be unsolicited email (ie spam) and you would turn off more people than you would attract. Plus some ISP's might even block your email, if it was reported that you were spamming people.

Cactus — Mon, 13 Aug 2001 22:41:08 +0000

Yeah, I know...I wouldn't like that done to me either...but I have to see if it is possible. I've gone into sites who e-mailed me and I never filled out anything. So has my client, unfortunately, so they know it can be done.

mjames — Mon, 13 Aug 2001 21:52:53 +0000

You mean a script that steals your visitor's e-mail addresses so you can get in contact with them? That would be a breach of privacy and is dishonest. Tell your client that's not a feasible request.