From: Richard Webb 
Subject: hoaxes and the like, was same song...
Hi Pete, and others.
On 1998-01-04 NFB-Talk@NFBnet.org said to elspider@interl.net
   >Thanks for the constructive critisism concerning this posting, and
   >the guidence in what to look for when similar postings com to our
   >inboxes. i'll pass this suggestion on to the person who sent me the
   >orriginal idea of posting this here.  this person is very new to
   >the Net and is not aware of the nonsence and hoaxes that are
   >floating around up here.  I too was not aware that this kind of
   >stuff has been around before.  Pleae accept my appollogies for only
   >fueling the fire.  Take care and have a good week.
No problem.  That's the whole idea.
I was a fidonet sysop for a couple of years, and you wouldn't believe
the crappola we'd get.  My system had a bulletin right up front that
new users were required to read which explained that there was no
little boy wanting a record setting business card collection, you
can't get a virus from data, and if anybody posted a modem tax thing
or anything similar, post an fcc docket number.  I told users right up
front the posting of such hoaxes would be tolerated once, but not a
second time.  The bottom of the screen told them if in doubt, ask the
sysop.  If I were in doubt, I'd do some digging around.  This kept
people from using my bbs to dump such things onto fidonet.
Anybody who posted an electronic chain letter got the boot forthwith.
That one didn't even get a warning, you were just bounced from the
system.
I know  a lot of folks aren't aware that if it's legit from FCC it'll
either have a docket number, or you'll see reference to a notice of
proposed rulemaking.
No problem.  THat's why I post when I see something like this, like to
help educate folks who haven't been around the on-line community very
long.
Regards,
Richard Webb
Electric Spider Productions
Net-Tamer V 1.08.1 - Registered
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