The source of the problem in my view is the ability to post to a thread
by sending an e-mail, and making the previous poster's e-mail address
available. This is the opposite of they way every forum I have ever
seen operates. It seems to me this was probably done to minimize the
effect on the way the lists operated, but I don't think you can have
everything. Something needs to be cut out.
Individual mails containing responses to watched threads? Fine.
Digests, too? Great! "Reply-All" e-mail to post to a thread? Not so
good for the forum, the list, or the users' privacy.
I would suggest changing the operation so that adding posts can be
accomplished through the forum only. People will still get their mails
and digests, they just won't be able to blindly hit "reply" to answer
(hey, maybe that will cut down on Joe Rude's "Who Cares?" psuedo-spam
responses to the list!). Also, remove the ability for other users to
see a poster's e-mail address and add in private message capability to
the forum. This will keep people's e-mails safe from spammers, and
ensure the responses get posted to the thread for the good of archiving.
Best Regards,