Hi Ru5ty,
I receive mail from people who want to be my brokers that I consider spam. But that doesn't mean that every broker sends spam to his clients. I don't think that my own brokers' mail is spam. In fact, I value the information they send me. Rather than questioning your integrity I would like to view this as a chance to take influence on a broker's behavior, since you are obviously on the inside of an operation that might, potentially, get out of hand. To me, spam is something that keeps coming and can't be switched off. Some one who trades in mailing lists is as much of a spammer to me as the one who sends the mails. For whatever influence you can take, please make sure that the people who will receive your mails get an opt-out button they can use. Perhaps easier even and at least equally important, make sure that such requests result in the removal of names from the list. Make your voice heard when the sale or purchase or swaps of mailing lists are discussed.
Launcher, spamming will not be stamped out by not helping spammers maintain their databases. We might put a dent in it if people like Ru5ty, who handle mailing lists, large or small, have a clear idea of what spam is and stand up for their beliefs - by which I am describing responsible behavior.
Ru5sty, you are welcome to use the formulae I have worked out. Put them to good use, and let's all get back to Excel.
Have a nice day, every one!