Spam filters work pretty well - at least some of them - but any filter that usefully catches spam will also, eventually, throw out an important email. Wired notes that people now have to exercise much greater care in what they include in their emails in order to prevent their memos from being hoovered by middleware.

Do not use profanity. Be very careful when discussing financial or business affairs. Avoid any mention of your private parts. Do not offer any guarantees, or refer to checks that may or may not be in the mail. Refrain from describing anything or anybody as "free." Abstain from the exuberant use of punctuation marks. Shun simple salutations like "Hello," and opt instead to craft a detailed, personalized subject line. Oh, and don't ever use the word opt, particularly in conjunction with the words "in" or "out."

Which brings up the prospect that email may become less of a formal business medium. When employees absolutely must get something communicated, email is fast losing luster.
Wired: Spam Filters Grab Good With Bad Posted by: DTB at 10:32 PM  |  Permalink