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Solve computer problems fast: use Google.
You'd be suprised how many computer questions
I get asked that I answer by simply typing them
in Google. Try it: it works!
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My personal anti-spam initiative to be
unveiled soon(er than expected).
source: me
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12/09/03
03:43
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I read on The Inquirer that
Yahoo has announced a new anit-spam (unsolicited
bulk email) initiative yesterday.
In short, Yahoo proposes to make senders identify themselves (with digital
signatures) so recipients of email can know with a reasonable amount of
certainty that the person claiming to have sent the message is truly the
sender. This is essentially one-half of my anti-spam project.
My own anti-spam project is not completed yet. I'm making steady progress,
but it's a complex project and I have a long way to go. But with this
announcement, I think I had better unveil my idea and spell out the specifics
before someone else stmbles on the idea. I will create a very basic, informational
site shortly
and then continue working on the prototype.
Stay tuned. You folks will be the first to know!
Related links:
Inquirer article: Yahoo announces plan to identivy source of spam
Original Reuters
article: Yahoo proposes new anti-spam structure
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Unsolicited Mail (aka "spam")
source: me
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First of all:

That's right - I got 704 email messages today
I'm NOT THAT POPULAR!
What were the messages? About 85% of them were automated responses returning
bulk email to me that other people sent claiming to be "from"
my domain. The remainder was spam directed to me. I'm suprised I didn't
get spam "from" myself! It's only a matter of time...
Second of all:
If you received an email claiming to be "from" someone here
(e.g. someone@2e.org), my sincerest apologies, but it was not sent
by me, or anyone else with access to this domain. I am the only person
with access to this domain and I send all my mail "from" stevenshultz.com
or qwest.net.
C.
Unsoliced, bulk email or "spam" is without a doubt a major problem,
which seems to be getting worse every day.
What is the most effective solution, or combination of actions to rid
the world of spam?
Legislation? Spam "filters"? (client-side or server-side)?
Legislation works great! Washington state (where I live) has a tough anti-spam
law that allows me to collect $500 for every unsolicited mail message
I receive. Let's see: 704 * $500 - well, shiver-me-timbers! I made $352,000.00
today! Wow! Oh wait... I won't receive a penny.
4.
Don't you fret my friend...
I'm not the type to sit here and complain about spam and not do a dang
thing about it.
I have been spending quite a few hours on a little project (it's got a
code-name and everything, "amulet"... shhh!) that might remove
a little spam from your inbox.
If I can get this project going, it might just make the world a little
better.
ps - if someone knows how to digitally sign (GPG) out of a php script
(linux/apache or win/IIS) and wouldn't mind helping me with it just a
little, that would be great! I hear it's not that hard...
I'll keep you informed... And needless to say, when it's closer to ready,
Tweak Central visitors will be the first to know!
In the mean-time:
Related links:
(http://spam.abuse.net) Fight Spam
on the internet - site.
On the previous topic of "spyware" or "malware" or
"trojans" or whatever you want to call them:
Ad Aware from LavaSoft
and
Spybot Search & Destroy from
PepiMK Software
Short of switching Browsers and Operating Systems, I don't know what else
you can do about it...
by the way -
I have another idea... I don't have enough time to pursue it, so I'll
put it up here and if anyone wants to pursue it and make it happen, you're
welcome to:
You know those stupid images of text that some web-sites make you read
and type in what it says? Here, I'll find one:

I was driving by my work one day and there are a lot of train-cars nearby,
and naturally, train-cars have graffiti all over them. I was thinking
that if one simply took pictures of graffiti and used them for these images,
you wouldn't have to develop (read "pay for") all the technology
to draw the wierd text that automated systems supposedly can't read. Just
an idea...

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Spyware and Adware - what is it, and how
to remove this junk
source: me
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I haven't had time to take care of this site as I'd like to. But I had
an extra hour or two tonight, so I thought I should start an article about
Spyware and Adware.
The situation with people installing unwanted software on users' computers
has gotten out-of-hand. Luckily, there's software to detect and remove
software and steps you can take to prevent yourself from being victimized
in the future.
My Spyware and Adware article (s005.htm)
Related links:
Spybot Search & Destroy from
PepiMK Software
As an aside, I know that SPAM (unsolicited email) has become a major problem
for individuals and corporations. I'll let you in on a little secret.
Are you ready?
I have a solution that will eliminate (my guess: 99.9%) of all spam. It
will be inexpensive, it will work with any web browser, and will be so
"transparent" that after you start using it, you won't be able
to tell that you're running it.
I have yet to implement the idea. Right now it's in my precious little
noggin. I'll keep you posted on my progress. I will have to learn some
programming that's beyond what I know now.
I'll keep you posted. As my loyal Tweak Central visitors, I may even offer
you a sneak-peek someday.
In the mean time, fight spam the hard way:
http://spam.abuse.net/
ps - please don't ask me for details as I will not provide them. Imagine
this scenario - Company X finds out my solution, implements it, charges
a massive fee for its use. Individuals are given little choice but to
pay the fee. Company X gets rich(er) while individuals get poorer. Whereas
if I can implement the solution myself, I can control who pays what and
perhaps achieve a more equitable situation for everyone.
By the way, if you're interested in Whale Watching in the Pacific Northwest,
especially Orca whales, please see my good friends Blank
and Terry at Island Mariner Cruises (www.orcawatch.com) - I redid
their web site, so feel free let me know what you think.
Old news - Archive:
News prior to June 2003: see the News Archive.
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