> Wouldn't a simple, not too restrictive filter be that the word
> vanagon must appear at least once in the body of the text,
> otherwise simply discarded by the list server?

I think that's a FANTASTIC idea!!  So simple that nobody thought of it!  It
would probably eliminate 95% of spam while still keeping the list open. (You
could even shorten the required word to VW, or to either/or if this option
were possible.)

Such a rule could be included with the email a new subscriber receives, and
also placed on the mailing list page of vanagon.com, thus reaching virtually
anyone who had a legitimate post.  On the other hand spammers would be
unlikely to either read vanagon.com or subscribe, so their posts would be
rejected.  The rejection email sent to someone whose post was rejected
(assuming one were sent) would probably have to refer people to
vanagon.com's mailing list page or another similar page for posting rules,
rather than spelling out exactly why the post was rejected, to prevent
spammers from simply resending the spam with one word added.  Most likely if
they had to go to a webpage to learn why their post was rejected, most
spammers simply wouldn't bother, whereas someone with a legitimate interest
in Vanagons would.

Side benefit: it would force new subscribers to actually _read_ the "welcome
to the vanagon list" email, or their posts wouldn't go through.  Maybe then
more newbies would follow the list rules such as no virus warnings, or
even - dare I think it? - try the archives before asking a stupid question.
(If they can't be bothered to follow a simple posting instruction, I'd think
it's rather likely that they haven't bothered to research their question
before asking it either.)

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215) 234-VWVW