This column may appear to be a continuation of my last week's column on cell phone spam. But it isn't. It's a column about the Internet and one of the issues that this wide open, worldwide forum has produced - the glut of information, and who do you believe?
The issue is that you just can't trust what you read on the Internet or receive in email. To some degree, that also applies to the bloggers. The problem is that people not only read and believe what they see, but they pass it on. Since there is no way to get anything "off" the Internet, some of this stuff just goes around and around and around, for years. Recently my wife received an email from a well-wishing friend informing her that Bill Gates is giving away money if you just send him an email. That thing is at least two years old, and perhaps more. It's not even plausible, but people just keep sending it out to their friends. Where does plausibility begin? How about the one concerning rat poop in the glue on envelopes? True? Possibly. Probability: low. But people will pass it on "just in case" and let their friends form a judgment themselves. And so it goes…
In response to my last week's column on cell phone spam, a reader sent me what I am sure was a well intentioned email. It informed me that not only was the issue of cell phone spam that I covered going to occur, but just this month all the cell phone numbers were going to be released to telemarketers. These obtrusive folks were going to start calling your cell phone number and you are going to have to pay for the calls. The email encouraged all to go to the US government Do Not Call website (www.donotcall.gov) and to register your cell phone numbers there. I thanked the emailer, but proceeded to do some research work.
As it turns out, this is far from the truth. Apparently the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is not only aware that this misinformation is going on, but it even quotes the various emails on their website! The FTC makes the points that cell phone numbers are not going to be released to telemarketers and that FCC (Federal Communications Commission) rules do not permit telemarketers to use automatic dialers to call cell phone numbers.
If you want to read more, the FTC webpage is http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/01/dnccellphones.htm and there is similar information on one of the "urban legend" websites at http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp. Read up for yourself.
But the point of this column is how incorrect information easily spreads on the Internet. Just because you get it in an email from a friend doesn't make it true. Do your own research - all I had to do was Google "cell phone telemarketers" to get the correct info. So, in a sense, the Internet is self-correcting, as long as you take the time to do your own research. Don't just blindly pass on something you receive, even on the chance that it "might" be valid.
And, by the way, it is OK and recommended to put your cell phone numbers on the do not call list. I did long ago.
(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport - Oak Island area. You can visit his Website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail questions or column ideas to him at bsc@bobseidel.com. For specific inquiries, please call Bob Seidel Consulting, LLC at 278-1007.)