Some Tips on Email Subject lines

Because of the spam problem, I usually delete a mail message without opening it if I don't recognize the sender address (spammers often spoof addresses from hotmail, gmail etc; now they are even using .edu* addresses, including mine - damn them) and the Subject line looks like it might be spam. So do not use lines (examples from some legitimate emails that I almost deleted) like `Hi', `Could I have 5 mins of your time?' and `Urgent!', as they often appear in spam.

Instead, put relevant keywords early in the Subject line. For example if you an undergraduate wanting help with COMP2300 assignment 1, use `COMP2300 ass 1: help needed'. If you are an MIT student seeking course advice, use something like `MIT: course advice request'. If you are a prospective overseas student interested in a PhD in cluster computing, use `PhD in cluster computing: enquiry'.

ANU students, this is still just as important if you have contacted me before. The from address for ANU email accounts appears as something like u1136711@anu.edu.au, and I simply can't remember which person the number belongs to! Hence I have to rely the Subject line to get some idea of the context of the message.