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From: wes@thor.srl.caltech.edu (Wes Boudville)
Newsgroups: comp.virus
Subject: April Fool?
Message-ID: <0001.9104161744.AA06733@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu>
Date: 11 Apr 91 17:48:11 GMT
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> From:    sharp@mizar.usc.edu (Malcolm Sharp)
> In the April 1, 1991 issue of Infoworld, John Gantz in his column
> "Tech Street" warned of a virus called "AF/91" which he said was
> developed by the NSA to be used against Iraqui defense computers.
> After describing the virus and telling that it started spreading
> uncontrolled, he told that windowing technology was "doomed."
> In the April 8 issue, Mr. Gantz's column begins with a note from the
> Editors saying AF/91 was all an April Fools joke.
>
> I'm not laughing.
> I'm searching for the adjectives to describe this irresponsible
> act.
> Anyone else spend time investigating this virus from the 4/1 columns?
> I'm *seriously* considering a class action suit for compensatory
> (small $) and punitive (BIG $$$) damages.

	I read that Infoworld article. Like many readers, I'm sure,
I got a chuckle out of it. A lot of us are aware that media
articles dated 1 April should be regarded with a grain of salt
[like the story one year about Big Ben going digital]. Personally, I
regard such articles as a refreshing and harmless sign of creativity.
	As a non-American, I find your comment to be a classic
glimpse into the litigious nature of US society.
	Go ahead with your lawsuit. I suspect it will be thrown out
of court.

				Wes Boudville
				Physics Dept
				Caltech