AOL mail is an anomaly. Non-AOL users get access to a sophisticated set of mail-filtering tools. AOLers are stuck using AOL's mail software -- which means they're stuck with AOL's mail filters.

As an experiment, I returned to a mailbox that I hadn't used for months. (AOL's mail filters were turned off.) As a historical document, here's a list of the subject lines for e-mail messages that gathered in just four weeks. (9/11-10/8)

My personal favorite: "Tired of unsolicited e-mail yet?"


$355 Before Lunch Everyday!
I will listen to you
Own a home, Get extra cash!
Controversial Report Reveals....
Never Forget Any Occasion Ever Again.......
GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!
Hi!
YOU CAN SEE IT
******EXOTIC DANCERS******
EASY MONEY!!! MAKE OVER $800,000 IN JUST 30 to 90 D
Free Membership for You!
First American Scientific
Remember Forever.....
Dateline: 9/12/1997
FREE!!
Unique Novelty Apron That Will Catch Your Eye
Bored?
This Offer Will End On 9/30/97
FREE!!
Make Money With Your PC
>>FREE LOW RATE PHONE CARD GIVEAWAY...
Factory Direct Cellular Accessories (com/msg)
Credit Card for you!!!!!
CD Roms=
Are You Serious About Weightloss?
Federally Regulated E-Mail!
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!!!
"SPORTS CASINO"
free
25,000,000 Fresh Non-Duplicate Addresses
Make Money With Your PC
Gold Is On The move!
Live Tonite !!
WARNING - Major Investigation May Involve you
Insurance Update
WANTED!!
Just Collected - Fresh AOL Addresses
Re:Latest
IT'S YOUR TURN TO WIN !!!
Create Your Own Hometown Shoper, How To...
First American Scientific Corp.
Federal Regulated Email Message
Debt Consolidations regardless of past credit problems.
take a look
6.9 Cents Long Distance
Attention Homeowner
Take a look...
MOST POWERFUL MATCHMAKING SYSTEM ON THE WEB!!
Pack Your Bags!
PSORIASIS - Clear It Up NOW!!
WANTED!!!
Homebased Golf Busienss
This Offer Will End on 9/30/97
INSTANTLY INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS !!!
YOUR INVITATION TO A LIVE AMATEUR SEX SHOW DIANA & FRIEND
NEW, UNIQUE BUSINESS VEHICLE
(E17) TONER
Over $1,000 in FREE Bonuses!!!
Are You Considering Digital Satellite TV ?
We Have $59,000 Waiting For You
For Adults Only!
I NEED HELP!! OVERWHELMED WITH LEADS!!
WARNING- Are You Being Investigated ??
new P200 w/monitor - $999
How To Tell The World About Your Business....
& nbsp;& nbsp;& nbsp;<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4><B>Wag
HOT ADULT MATERIAL...
Better Get The Hardlock!
Online Alert!
For Adults Only!
New Adult Site - More Hot New Links
FREE!"Black-Box" Cable TV DEcoder Plans - FREE! Parts
**microsoft and adobte stuff, cheap**
Advertisement- CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS
better chances than the lottery
A Most Amazing Story.....
Warning - Are You Being Investigated ?
For Adults Only!
REQUESTING PERMISSION TO SEND "POWER PAGE"
Credit Card for you!!!!!
Turn $35 into $1680
Get Smart On The Web!
What's up?
Did You Dream Lat Night?
Here's the info you requested
*FREE!*
I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE...
Read this twice, then do the math
Keep More Money And Avoid IRS Problems-Easily!!!
Hello!
Dental Plan
Homeowners Options
Hot Chat on AOL
Best litle $20 Christmas Club on the web!
--WORK FROM HOME Now!-- (Over 700 Companies Hiring)
The BEST just got better... and it's FREE! - Contact-P
HOW TO GET OFF THE BULK EMAIL LISTS
WARNING - Are You Being Investigated ?
ADULTS 18 YRS AND OLDER..... XXXTREME.....
Absolute FREE phone services...why not check it out?
ADVERTISE Yourself With A Personalized T-Shirt
You can now see...
ERASE YOUR DEBT ...
Adults Over 18 Only......XXXTREME
Hello
FREE 5 MINUTE PREVIEW
Attention All MLMers: BEAT THIS !!!
We will Pay You to use Your Computer at Home to Set-up
What's happening??
Here you go!
TIRED OF UNSOLICITED EMAIL YET?
FREE 800 SERVICE for your business....with Voice Mail r
Fantasy Hockey Game
Fantasy Sports Zone
Business Information Resource
$100 made When Co. 'Closes Sale For YOU'! Guarantee!
For your eyes only.
GRAND OPENING!!
ATTENTION NEW AOL SOFTWARE FREE!
How About A Financial Change?
Testing...
READ ME NOW !!!
Hello
Buying all GOLD & SILVER coins. Highest prices paid!
Guaranteed $4050.00 in Unsecured Visa and Mastercard
printer REFILL KITS & bulk INK ... save to 80%
Great new GAY Party Line...can be absolutely FREE !
If youre a golfer call asap!
FREE Credit Application!
34 MILLION EMAIL ADDRESSES...PLUS 13 BONUSES!
$5,000! #1
FREE INFO: "WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN'T TELL YOU..."
ADULTS OVER 18 ONLY.........XTREME PLEASURE....
WARNING - Are You Being Investigated ? Illegally ?
Golf Anyone?
XXX Adult Pics!!! Free... Very Free!
adobe and microsoft stuff---cheap
34 MILLION EMAIL ADDRESSES...PLUS 13 BONUSES!
The Quickest Access To Savings
Small Business Owner- This Is For You!!! (Com/Msg)
Your Privacy on the Internet
600,000+ Fresh AOL Addresses
Got A House? Get Cash!
PGA TOURNAMENT LOGOED GOLF SHIRTS
HIRISK INVESTMENTS
Free AIDS Test
THE ANSWERS ARE WITHIN
Adults Over 18 Only.......XXXTREME HARCORE..>>>>>>>>>>
Talk to S.Florida WOMENcall 954-349-1001
We will Pay You to use Your Computer at Home to Set-up
Overcome Your Debts--You Really Can
"Better Safe than Sorry!"
This Offer will end on 10/15/97
ADULTS ONLY
Golf is now a HomeBase Business
WWW.MeetHerLive.com
~~|> Advertise in Bulk - softwares N More
Downsize in Days - The Zone Diet made Easy!
You can now see...
THE ANSWERS ARE WITHIN
Adults Over 18 Only...XXXTREME HARDCORE....>>>>>>>>>
For adults only
First Class Stamps!!
We Will Loan You $59,000 And You NEVER Have to Repay Us
Make Big $$$ Being a Travel Agent
FIRM UP WITHOUT GIVING UP ... the food you love!
Would you like to ...
FOOD Goes MLM - Free Details!!!
Bottom Line Best Value Long Distance Service
SAVE 75% ON CLASSIFIED ADS...NATIONWIDE!!!
" Break the Casino"
YOUR TIME HAS FINALLY COME!!!
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Private Members Club Adults Only