The HTML 'Mailto' command allows Spammers to harvest email addresses easily, it is therefore discouraged. A replacement is explained on this page.

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Feedback System Replaces 'Mailto'

The HTML 'Mailto' link is commonly used on web pages to allow browsers to send email back to the author of the page for feedback purposes.

Problem With Spam

Unfortunately the 'Mailto' command allows Spammers to harvest the email address off the web page. The 'Feedback System' provides an alternative to using 'mailto' URLs on web pages.

Solution

Instead of using a 'mailto' link like the following:

<a href="mailto:j.bloggs@lancaster.ac.uk">Jo Bloggs</a>

You would use something like:

<a href="http://www.lancs.ac.uk/mailto/jobloggs">Jo Bloggs</a>

the 'Feedback' system is a little more complicated than 'mailto', but the 'Feedback System' has several advantages.

Advantages

This Feedback System has the following advantages:

• your email address is not displayed - this prevents your email address from being harvested by Spammers.
• the destination mailbox can be changed without editing any content on the web page.
• the browser that accesses the 'feedback link' does not need to be mail-enabled.

Registering For The Feedback System

In order to use the Feedback System you need to register. Registration is easy you asked for:

• an 'ID name', it is handy to keep it similiar to your email address e.g. jbloggs.
• your 'real' name e.g. Jo Bloggs
• your email address e.g. j.bloggs@lancaster.ac.uk

Register Here

Check Existing Registrations

To view existing (local) registrations:

List Currently Assigned IDs

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