Hotmail Blocked Message Problem

[Ron Gagnon <gagnon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Microsoft's Hotmail is intentionally blocking e-mail messages sent by our 
Innovative server.  We have exchanged messages with Hotmail, and they have 
verified that this is being done:

> 
> Thank you for contacting MSN Hotmail.  With the help of the detailed
> troubleshooting information you have provided, we have determined that
> the message in question has been blocked by an MSN Hotmail filter
> deployed to stop unsolicited e-mail.  Like many other e-mail service
> providers, MSN Hotmail uses filtering methods to stop unsolicited
> e-mail.  Consumers have told us that stopping unsolicited e-mail is a
> top priority and because our #1 goal is pleasing our customers, we are
> employing technology that helps protect them from unsolicited e-mail
> 
> While we understand that it is important to you that you be able to send
> e-mail to users of the Hotmail service, Microsoft does not have an
> obligation to deliver any particular e-mail message.
> 

This answer was received after we sent test messages to addresses 
designated by Hotmail in an earlier e-mail.  This includes both free and 
paid Hotmail accounts.

If you have insight as to what in our Innovative mail server is causing 
this, please let us know.  Hotmail would not tell us what in particular 
flags our messages as spam.  

The messages that started this investigation were hold pickup notices that
the patron stopped receiving without warning.  No bounce messages are
sent, the mail is just deleted without either party being aware of the
situation.

We have contacted the Hotmail user successfully to verify information 
using our staff e-mail server.

If you are sending system messages to Hotmail accounts, be aware that your
mail may not be getting through, and that neither you nor the library user
will ever know.

And if you are a Hotmail subscriber, Big Brother is deciding what you
should be reading -- be warned.


Ronald A. Gagnon, Executive Director
North of Boston Library Exchange
Danvers, Massachusetts
gagnon@xxxxxxxxxx
Ph: 978-777-8844   Fax: 978-750-8472