fwd:mail

[bassman]

I recently sent an E-mail to everyone on my address book. It was a simple letter explaining that I would no longer accept forworded mail (jokes, sad stories, insperational...) I told these people that if they had something important to please either write it fresh or copy and paste the "Original" message into a new mail and send it with their own subject message.
I explained the value of this relateing to virus spreading and systems overloading.
I was very surprised at the responses I got from almost everyone. Most had no idea that viruses were spread in this manner and that there was a problem with overloading.
I'm curious if anyone else has done this and what kind of response you have gotten.
I think this is one more way we can help to make this a better industry.
See ya

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They say to eat before you go to the grocery store so you don't buy so much. That doesn't work at the liquor store does it!

[bassvax]

It's your system at risk...I have the same prevention system in place. I was able to personally confer with my comrades about the subject, but have considered the e-mail route. I believe there is always the possibility of alienating people by bringing it up, people use the net for diff reasons and some are not as concerned with infections as would be you & I, thus to have to limit their favorite activities to avoid a virus is a personal risk-assessment. So far, my pals are thoughtful...sure I miss out on a lot of funny stuff, but I'd prefer to not have to clean up the mess. So...more power to the idea http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Warning: The info vacuum is ON

[Paleo Pete]

I've done basically the same thing with individuals, but nevr the entire mailing list, but to try and cut down on the spam a bit. People don't realize when they forward jokes etc with 30 addresses listed, several of those people forward it again, and several of those, ad nauseum. In 3 or 4 days, 200 or more strangers now have your email address, and someone is giving them out to spammers. So I've asked several people to stop forwarding emails to me, copy and paste them as you described instead, and usually never heard from them again.

Similar results when dealing with "urban legends" emails. You know the ones..."Forward this to everyone on your list and Microsoft or Intel or [place name here] will track your email and send you $30,000 next week." Those are all garbage, and I usually send a link to Hoaxkill (http://www.hoaxkill.com) and/or Urban Legends (http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/science/urbanlegends/) along with an explanation that the chain letter involved is bunk. Same results, usually never hear from them again...

Strange how people react when you burst their bubbles...

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[sea69]

lmao..I keep telling and telling them not to forward those things to me!!!!!

but do they listen ??

OF COURSE NOT!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

same thing with ICQ, sending this "ICQ will turn off your account if........." all BS... explaining WHY these things are sent out by people seems to do no good.


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*another 'toaster' bites the dust*

[Paleo Pete]

Several years ago ICQ sent out an email about those messages, I saved it for a long time and sent people a copy of it when they forwarded me that garbage. Lost it somewhere along the way though...I stopped most of them by telling people if I got any more they'd be removed from my list...it worked! LOL

People start things like that to see just how gullible others are. It's been happening for a long time, and not just on the internet. Some of the ones still going around the internet were started before PC's ever existed. Thing is, many people do believe them. That can be seen by how many you get from supposedly intelligent, clear thinking people. For some reason, it seems people tend to believe it more readily just because it came from the internet-the information superhighway...

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[jpm]

Interesting point and well raised as I was not aware of the problem. I'm not quite sure how these spread viruses. I get a few emails and the size and the amount of >>> forwards is annoying but didn't realise they could spread this way (thought you had to activate a program).

[BigBlue66]

Hey All,

I have had the same problem in my mailbox. Have a friend who in the past constantly sent forwarded emails of jokes, etc.. We had just gotten back in touch after several years, so of course, there was daily correspondence. Only after awhile, did I realize that she really didn't understand the implications of forwarding any kind of mail, whatever it is.

I finally had to tell her that I never ever open forwarded messages. They go immediately to email message heaven. She said, "But, why????" hehehe

Have a great Easter everybody. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Big Blue 66


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The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability that you'll get it wrong.

[Paleo Pete]

jpm: In most cases you do have to activate a program or open an attachment. Macro types might be different, I'm not that familiar with them, and one I saw an article about a few months ago self activates. All you have to do is open the email. As far as I know, it's the only one that activates itself, and I'll have to do some major digging to find out the name of it, lost the link when I formatted my drive a few months ago.

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[bassman]

I was talking to someone on the IRC yesterday, when he said "I can't get viruses in my mail. I use AOL and their mail does not support 'html or code."

I have not heard of this before and am curious abouth the validity of his statement. If thats true, what a marketing tool that would be.
Has anyone here heard this?

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They say to eat before you go to the grocery store so you don't buy so much. That doesn't work at the liquor store does it!

[buck52]

Hi
With OE 5.5 when I recieve a strange email with or without an attachment I right click then left click on properties then details then message source it seems I can read as much as I want to know about it with no ill affects. Can this be true or have I perhaps just gotten lucky in the past.
Can't seem to get Daaaaaaaaad to not forward stuff. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

thanks
buck

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just hav'n fun

[sea69]

bassman

I dont know the in's or out's of it but I do know- that whenever I send mail to an AOL recipient I need to do it in PLAIN TEXT.

they can't view any nice graphics or holiday gifs .........

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*another 'toaster' bites the dust*

[bassman]

Interesting. I can't say as I remember getting any "gifs" on a mail, but I know I can see different fonts and color. 6.0 acctualy has the different faces like here.
On second thought, I know I have gotten pics directly on the mail. Wouldent that be the same thing?

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They say to eat before you go to the grocery store so you don't buy so much. That doesn't work at the liquor store does it!