[Python-Dev] Mailing list metadata via RFC 2369 (was: Terminal console)

[Ben Finney]

"Franklin? Lee" <leewangzhong+python at gmail.com> writes:

> FWIW, Gmail's policies require:
> """
>     A user must be able to unsubscribe from your mailing list through
> one of the following means:
>
>     * A prominent link in the body of an email leading users to a page
> confirming his or her unsubscription (no input from the user, other
> than confirmation, should be required).
>     * By replying to your email with an unsubscribe request.
> """
> (https://support.google.com/mail/answer/81126)

GMail already has all the information needed to offer mailing list
functionality to every user.

The header of every message delivered via the mailing list has full RFC
2369 fields <URL:https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2369> which is ample
information, correctly structured for any application to provide the
functions GMail is referring to.

GMail support staff have known this for many years because RFC 2369
support has been requested for their interface over and over again.

There are reports they even make some use of that standard information
<URL:http://www.itworld.com/article/2693280/unified-communications/gmail-s--unsubscribe--tool-comes-out-of-the-weeds.html>
though as I never use GMail I can't verify that.

If not, then their refusal to follow a mature, well-implemented internet
standard is no reason for anyone else to change behaviour. It is up to
GMail to use the standard information.

-- 
 \           “Anything that we scientists can do to weaken the hold of |
  `\        religion should be done and may in the end be our greatest |
_o__)                  contribution to civilization.” —Steven Weinberg |
Ben Finney