Do You Have Annoying Friends With New Computers?

08/07/01

  Sure, we all have them... yours could be a cousin George, aunt Helen, your sister, mom or even YOU! The guy/gal who forwards crappy stories and urban legends.  The worst thing is that when a new friend or relative gets internet access, they'll send you the same article you've received 20 times before! What do you do?

  The first step is to tell them that nothing they read on the net is new or real. Sure it's a lie but it's a lie that will save you a lot of time deleting fake virus warnings and pyramid schemes.
  Second, send them to www.urbanlegends.com where they (and you) can learn about the thousands of hoaxes that circulate each day.

  Third, teach them that forwarding junk can spread viruses and is just poor ettiquite.

  Lastly, if they just won't learn their lesson, if you're using an E-mail program like Eudora or Outlook, you can create a filter to automatically send aunt Sadie's forwarded e-mail from Bill Gates promising you $1,000 right to where it should be... THE TRASH!  (contact your users manual on how to create filters).

  In closing, just remember when you were a newbie.  I'm sure you forwarded your share of cookie recipes and gas station needle warnings.

Recommended sites :

www.eudora.com

www.urbanlegends.com

http://www.snopes2.com