December 2004

This month:   Spam Blocking Software  . . . & . . .  Do you believe in ghosts? 

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Spam?    No thank you.    posted:  12-16-04

This is my gathering point for info about Spam

This page is primarily dedicated to Spam Blocking Software - with a comparison chart ( see below ).

I've finally begun working on this - in part - due to my responsibility to my spam tribe at tribe.net ("SpamBlockingSoftware" - which I will be closing shortly) .

This is not intended to be the absolute list of all spam blocking software. This simply represents my "one time best effort" to provide a sampling of such applications. If I have made errors or omissions - I apologize, but it is your responsibility to confirm all info before proceeding with any selection of an anti-spam program. Also, note "last updated" comment in caption at top of chart.

All of this info is subject to change. This page may never be updated again... .

If you feel compelled to inform me of mistakes or to provide me with additional resources and applications you can send them to:   w4w4@hotmail.com

But, please keep in mind that I am not soliciting such information and have no plans to update this page.

Resources

About Spam and Prevention:
http://email.about.com/od/spamandgettingridofit/a/spam_finds_you.htm

Fighting Spam:
"Take advantage of the information we've gathered to make your own experience on the Internet better." - http://spam.abuse.net/

Report Spam:
http://www.spamcop.net/anonsignup.shtml

Lobby:
http://www.cauce.org/

Lists of Anti-Spam products:
Search http://freshmeat.net/ for tons of anti-spam applications.
http://www.findapp.com/fMgmt/products.aspx?C=365

Reviews:

PCWorld reviews
www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,115885,pg,2,00.asp

Cnet
reviews.cnet.com/4520-3664_7-5024577.html

Review names MF best:
reviews-zdnet.com.com/MailFrontier_Desktop/4505-3536_16-31201718.html

Bayesian
http://home.dataparty.no/kristian/reviews/bayesian/

Comparison
http://www.filterguide.com/emailratings.htm

BlogWorks    posted:  12-13-04

Upgrading and 2005

I've finally created an archive page for "Quotes". The page design is a lot different (I kind of like it) and I've gone completely thru the style sheet - a new dedicated style sheet; making it clean and lean.

I've also designed a new look for 2005. The change is primarily a new color scheme. The colors may need a little taming - which I will perform as the new year progresses.

categories:     archive    -top-  

Ghosts ?    posted:   12-01-04

Ghost Hunting

I've been watching the Sci-Fi channel series "Ghost Hunters" with some interest. Though doubtful at first, I was drawn into this show by the apparent sincerity of its "real(?)" participants. I've watched about five episodes. This group of part-time para-professionals are, according to the program, recruited by individual clients to investigate suspected hauntings.

I am convinced that the clients are "for real". Coast Guard officials invite them to investigate a haunted light house. An Army officer and NCO invite them to investigate a "haunted" armory.

But, I'm less convinced that this isn't a scam; a well executed fraud. Now, I'm willing to allow that what I'm picking up on is screen directed scripting - to add a little drama. Still, I am suspicious at the lack of irrefutable proof of actual paranormal events. Are these ghost hunters (known as TAPS) true dedicated researchers? or participants in illusion - theirs and or ours? And what is worse - are they unscrupulously praying on the real fears and private lives of their clients? Or is this just another example of how verifiable evidence of the spirit world is always just out of reach?  The jury is still out.

TAPS - The Atlantic Paranormal Society
"We are not amateurs. We have had extensive experience. Part of what we have learned is the psychology of making someone feel comfortable during these times of fear and uncertainty. We will bring a level headed and comfortable atmosphere into your home, in essence, taking care of the most important thing, your discomfort. We will then help you to understand some of the nature of the problem supplying you with the information to understand why this is happening and how little danger is actually involved. We will then proceed to investigate the house, usually between the hours of 9:00 pm and 4:00 am depending on our findings. We will then share our findings with you and come to a conclusion." - www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/

Ghost Scares Up Ratings
"The Oct. 6 debut of SCI FI Channel's original alternative reality series Ghost Hunters was SCI FI's most-watched Wednesday night program since January 2003, earning a 1.4 household rating and nearly 1.7 million viewers, the network announced. The series also ranked in the top 10 of the channel's best-ever Wednesday telecasts, excluding mini series. Ghost Hunters trails Jason and Grant, two ordinary guys who are plumbers by day and ghost hunters by night. It airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT Wednesdays as part of SCI FI's new Wednesday block, which also features Proof Positive Evidence of the Paranormal, with host Amanda Tapping, at 8 p.m. and Scare Tactics, with new host Stephen Baldwin, at 10 p.m." - www.scifi.com/ghosthunters

There are many groups - here's a sampling:

International Ghost Hunters Society
Standards and Protocols:  "The IGHS has developed a set of standards and protocols for conducting field investigations based on experience and common sense. These standards and protocols establish a baseline to judge photos obtained by eliminating the common errors of most beginners. The IGHS Standards & Protocols provide guidelines that ensure professionalism by IGHS members. We encourage you to follow them and to so indicate when you send us your photos." - www.ghostweb.com/sp.html

There is a lot of content on this site, but the web site is very poorly done. Navigation is terrible. The "Navigation Menu" can be found well down the page.
www.ghostweb.com/

Philadelphia Ghost Hunters Alliance
"Welcome to the official WebSite of the Philadelphia Ghost Hunters Alliance, the first professional organization of paranormal investigators and researchers specific to Philadelphia, serving Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Dedicated to the research, documentation, education and investigation of ghostly phenomena, the PGHA welcomes you to join us in our efforts." - members.aol.com/Rayd8em/

Ghost Hunters at Work - a directory
"The average person surfs on in to a ghost hunters web site and looks at the pictures, listen to EVP's, etc. and wonders to themselves, what was it like to be there at that location during the ghost hunt? What else happened during the investigation? What equipment did they use? Who are these guys?? What do they do? You get the idea, We have created this page to showcase ghost hunters across the world and tell you a little bit more about them and their craft. If you'd like you or your group featured here read the info and the bottom of the page. Enjoy." - theshadowlands.net/atwork/

Rocky Mountain Paranormal Research Society
"This is not a profitable business, but rather one borne out of the fascination Bonner has always held for the occult and the inexplicable. He doesn't work alone. In fact he has a crew of fellow ghost-busters who work alongside him including Intuitives-people with a special gift to "feel" the energy fields surrounding ghosts and the unseen-and technogeeks who operate the loads of highly specialized equipment that Bonner uses to detect the existence of ghosts-technology enough to fill a 12 ft. by 16 ft. space when compacted together." - URBAN MYTHS - A Denver Press Club article - By Nancy Clark - www.rockymountainparanormal.com/

  categories:  Archive     paranormal    -top-  

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