The argument goes something like this: Microsoft is equated with everything evil and foul in world. Lucifer himself is kind and gentle compared with Bill Gates, and every product ever produced by his company has at least one hidden evil intention. All of Bill's products are purposely created to produce greatest amount of harm for most people. Bill and his entourage are planning to take over world and destroy everything and everyone, especially any competing companies.

These postings are actually very amusing. They are often so childish, so silly that it's incredible to believe that these people are serious. Sometimes I wonder if rational minds exist behind many of these messages.

For example, an article about Klez virus (which did not even mention Microsoft by name) produced some fascinating replies. One reader wrote:

"Only Windows users would put up with such a scam. Windows security is like building a house with no doors and being forced to hire a security guard to walk around your home while you're living there."

It's fascinating how people can write such uninformed drivel. Another reader had similar opinions.

"Most thanks for viruses go to M$ and their sorry excuse for an e-mail system Exchange coupled with their new, dynamic protocol called VTP (Virus Transport protocol). Kudos to Bill for designing such an elegant virus propagation environment. Who needs enemies when you have M$?"

More silliness from an ignorant person who probably has allowed viruses to slip through his defenses.

Let's look at an analogy. Let's say you purchase a car. The car does not come with an alarm system, and locks are of standard issue. You decline to purchase an alarm system and more advanced locks.

Now a car thief breaks into your car and steals it. Who is to blame? The car manufacturer for creating a car with simple locks and no standard alarm system? The thief for stealing your car? The city for allowing thieves? The police department for not guarding your automobile 24x7? Perhaps your child distracted you before you locked door - is child responsible?

I won't pull bones here. Lies, misrepresentation, invasion of your privacy, e-mail abuse and more. That is what they claim SPAMMERS are doing to you. They promise to stop it. Eliminate unwanted e-mail SPAM. Yup that's what it said.

First let me apologize for any of you that got this e-mail from me. I did NOT send it and did NOT authorize it.

=================== This courtesy message is being sent to you as a contact in my address book.

It is to notify you that I have installed SPAM | BAR, an Anti Spam filter, on my incoming mail.

As long as you write to me using this particular address, your messages will come straight through to my mail in-box.

If, however, at any time you should write to me using a different e-mail address to this one, SPAM | BAR program will reply to you asking you to confirm you are a real person, and not a "Spammer".

For further information on SPAM | BAR or to obtain a courtesy copy please check out:

http://www.spambar.com/ ===================

On a recommendation of a friend, I agreed to look at this program for them. I looked at everything on SpamBar site and e-mailed them with several questions as well as some concerns. They e-mailed back assuring me that I was wrong about their product and would be happy with it. I installed it and set it up on an account that is seldom used just in case (still not trusting program) it did to me what another one did previously, deleted a lot of important mail.

After following instructions and being assured that program was not invasive it was time to check my e-mail. I started Outlook Express (I have 23 e-mail accounts) and went about some other things away from Puter while my e-mail downloaded (I normally do this because who wants to sit and watch your download screen).