> >On Wed, Apr 03, 2002 at 11:25:46PM +0100, P Witte wrote: > >> Hiall, > >> > >> This is the third virus Ive had from [EMAIL PROTECTED] within > >> the last couple of months. So far I have escaped, but sooner or later > >> someones going to take a hit. > > > >to be more precise, someone using the unfortunate email program. > > > >Should I post a list of alternative email programs? There is > >probably at least 400 really usable email programs around, many > >of them free, a good fraction of this even work on several platforms. > >None of them can promise perfect security but the impact with *every* > >other mailer has been not even a fraction of the problem you encounter > >with Outlook every time its miserable design fails. > > > >Btw don't think this is a problem that will go away with improved > >anti-virus SW or the 1EXP46-th build of Outlook, a real solution > >would require Microsoft to cut back on unneeded dangerous features > >and that probably won't happen until the doomsday. > Demon's Turnpike has been 100% OK since I started using it 5 years ago. > There are no security flaws in it - well none the hackers know about.
I dont want to get into any more religious wars, so Id like to take the opportunity to put some logic into this "discussion". I have valid reasons for doing what I do. Here are a few: When I started out with the internet I decided it was time to go for at least one interface that was common to most of the rest of computing humanity. A few quirky computer systems are enough of a handicap. I dont want to become a complete nerd unnecessarily. Hence Windoze, and the only "free", working email program at the time outside the workplace. I asked for advice - on this list too IIRC - and none of these clever hindsights were forthcoming at the time. Yes, Ive tried Netscape, M$IE Mail, Lotus Notes and Pandora, and couldnt get away fast enough from any of them. I archive all my correspondence: A good many thousand mails are locked into a proprietary archiving system; the only way out is deeper into M$'s clutches. Believe me, I tried getting out after the first hundreds of mails or so but gave up after days of BS&T. Most of that stuff is now lost or inaccessible for easy reference. Finally, those who moan about Lookout Express should consider how they would feel about changing their system after using it for many (on the whole, happy) years. Taking such drastic action is a last resort! Although I only deploy a virus checker on suspicion of infection, or after engaging in unsafe practices, I have only once in five years actually been infected, and that I discovered without the aid of one. I caught it off the internet, not via email. If there are any timorous newbies on this list Im sure they must be grateful for all sage advice and may even rejoice in a list of 400 email programs, but dont issue that sort of thing at me, if you please. Thank you. Im not saying that I cant change, or that I dont need advice, including basic advice, it is just that this particular issue keeps being regurgitated, and the incessant sniping from some quarters is slowly fraying my cool. Yes, doors have even been banged and multiple exclamation marks have been bandied about when people have raised their legitimate concerns - denied by others sitting on their own smug solutions, some of which I dare say, would not bare too close scrutiny wrt insight, suitability or performance, but have rather to do with opportunity, taste and habit - exactly as in my own case. I believe everyone is entitled to make their own choices provided they behave reasonably and responsibly, and ensure they do not cause unnecessary distress to others. Someone was obviously not paying attention, which is why I allowed myself to grumble recently. Not, mind you, by presuming to lecture him on his choice of mail client, but by suggesting he be temporarily disconnected from this list until he had taken appropriate remedial action. Now I too have lectured at length. I hope at least some of you found the humorous in it. However, I also hope you detected the steely core of my resolve not to be pushed around. In matters of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and choice of email client I expect to be respected as an equal and not subjected to "re-education" campaigns and other forms of harassment. Per
