Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!Classic_-_Concepts
From: Classic_-_Concepts@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: VIRUS DAMAGE, CONSEQUENCES (Hate Mail)
Message-ID: <25716@cup.portal.com>
Date: 7 Jan 90 21:02:10 GMT
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 31


    Well, I've encountered another disastrous consequence of virus distri-
bution which hurts EVERYONE.  We used to be able to take diskettes to
local service bureaus for laserprinting, reproduction of color
slides and typesetting on film or paper and get them back right away.
    No more.  My favorite places don't provide quick turn-around anymore 
because of virus-infected diskettes which have come in.  Now they take 
diskettes, do careful (read 'time-consuming') checks for viruses and then
do the job.  We have to make a second trip to pick them up hours later,
or days later, even if it's a very small job.  (Cost goes up, too.)
    Don't say it's quick to use a virus-checker.  It would be naive.  In the
real world, service bureaus are not run by computer professionals.  They're
run by printers, photographers and other individuals who are scrambling to  
fit the learning of computer skills in between running their businesses and
practicing and keeping up with their own trades.  They are understandably
confused and nervous about these things.  In fact, not one of the local
businesses uses modems yet because they don't understand them, they don't
have time to learn and implement the technology.
     In my present mood, I'd be willing to stuff a cartload of sharp,
pointy computer chips down the throats of people who unleash viruses on the
world.  These boneheads have cost all of us more time, money and incon-
venience than they'll ever realize.  The next time a virus originator is
denied quick service, access to a system or has to pay a higher price for
manuals, documentation or other products which are produced electronically,
I hope s/he doesn't try to place the blame elsewhere. On one of our current
projects, the new policies have delayed the release of our new documentation
by over 2 weeks--2 weeks directly attributable to viruses.  New releases are
slower to come out.  And who's supposed to swallow the additional labor
costs?  The service bureau?  The publisher?  The user?   Am I angry?  Damn
rights I am.
                                  LadyHawke@cup.portal.com