Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!unisoft!paul
From: paul@unisoft.UUCP (n)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: names - viruses and vaccines ....
Message-ID: <882@unisoft.UUCP>
Date: 25 Mar 88 23:05:08 GMT
Lines: 31

Here's what seem to be roughly the current definitions:

VIRUS	 - an unwanted piece of code that forces itself
	   self into computer systems

VACCINE  - a piece of code designed to prevent the 
	   intrusion of VIRUSES or designed to rid a
	   system of VIRUSES

I think that the biological analogy is breaking down ...
I suggest the following alternate definitions:

ANTIBODY - a piece of code designed to prevent the 
	   intrusion of VIRUSES or designed to rid a
	   system of VIRUSES

VACCINE  - a public fuss (or paranoia) about the possible
	   presence of VIRUSES designed to trigger the
	   writing of ANTIBODIES


Of course it's too late to change now but what the hell ....


		Paul

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