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Saturday, February 17, 2007

Know what you're forwarding

If you've been checking in here regularly, you know I don't like to complain in general. Here's something that I do whine about. I hate getting e-mail that are urban legend or hoaxes. What does that mean? Somebody out in e-mail land sits around making stuff up for whatever reason and makes up stuff just to see how far it can go. Maybe they want to clog up the e-mail lines or what ever. You've probably gotten at least one of them. You know, "forward this to everyone you know and Microsoft will send you a check for thousands of dollars." Or, "Poor Penny has been kidnapped, please watch out for her." If you check it out, Penny is a photo of someone who's never gone missing in the first place. Microsoft doesn't send checks even if they could keep track of who sends what around the Internet. If you get an email that tells you to do something, warns you about a danger, or quotes some famous person, you can check these stories out before you waste your time or someone else's. I use Snopes:

Just for fun, have a look on the left side of the page for the top legends circulating around the Internet to just how many "urban legends" are circulating around.

Stay awake to these frauds and don't get taken. If you do, don't beat yourself up, just learn from it and check things out for next time. We've all fallen for one or another of the hoaxes.

On the other hand, when you get something by email that's true, you'll be able to pass it on with confidence when you know it's right.

Exercise for the day:
Why not take a minute to do an inside check to clear out some old lie that someone told you about your own self? Don't believe the people who put you down. Don't believe the "legends" about your own limitations or weaknesses. Have a look at what your strengths are and the truth about the wonderful things you have done and want to do.

Love,
Aunt Laya
photo from Morguefile.com

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