Saturday, May 24, 2008
Lazy Afternoon
I was typing my thesis report since morning and felt really tired, so I took a short nap. Time flies and I woke up at 1pm. I look out the window and see that the weather is quite nice. Not really sunny and glaring. The clouds are like cotton white and the sky is blue, really a beautiful sight. Since my parents are coming back tomorrow, I doubt I got time to do any shooting tomorrow so just took a few shots from my window to share with all. Got to go for my RT soon. Cheerz.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Get to Know Yourself Better
Sorry for the lack of update recently. I have been very busy with my new job and there is no public internet access there, so can't blog as often as I like. Rest assured that I am trying to figure my way out of this. Heh heh heh...
Anyway, got an interesting quiz which I found on HuiRong's blog with I like to share with all. I think she got it from her friend Finn. Here is the link.
http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx
Here is my result.
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.
The seriousness of your love:
Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.
Your views on education:
Education is less important than the real world out there, away from the classroom. Deep inside you want to start working, earning money and living on your own.
The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.
How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.
What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.
Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.
Anyway, got an interesting quiz which I found on HuiRong's blog with I like to share with all. I think she got it from her friend Finn. Here is the link.
http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx
Here is my result.
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.
The seriousness of your love:
Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.
Your views on education:
Education is less important than the real world out there, away from the classroom. Deep inside you want to start working, earning money and living on your own.
The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.
How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.
What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.
Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Evening Shoot @ Punggol MRT
The weather is so beautiful today, so I decided to go for an evening shoot at Punggol Beach. But I was running a bit late as the evening sun set, so I decided to shoot at around Punggol MRT area instead.
Just to share so of my shots taken today. :)
Just to share so of my shots taken today. :)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Marriage & Love
Got this article from a thread in Clubsnap that I like to share with all about Marriage and Love
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It is regarding meaningful and inspirational information on marriage and love. I would like all to read and know for the good of your relationship and marriage.
Here it goes:
1. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love.
2. Love is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage.
3. A Couple should have certain level of chemistry and a sense of humorous
4. Good and stable career so we can put a home together which involved financial committment.
5. Both must share certain level of interest or must put in effort to cultivate new hobbies.
6. Never stop showering each other with praises, attention and acts of love to keep the passion going.
7. There must be a certain level of trust, communication, compromising before start of a new relationship.
8. Find someone who share a common goal in life despite it's either spiritually, buidling a family or earning more money.
9. Find someone who will make you a better person.
10. You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose.
11. You have to feel safe with the person means you can communicate openly with the one.
12. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.
13. You should choose to be with a person who is a mensch.
A mensch is a refined and sensitive person. He is always striving to be good and do the right thing.
This person is the opposite of a materialistic person who is dedicated to seeking comfort.
Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing.
14. The person you want to be with should enjoy giving pleasure to others instead of wrapping up themselves and self-absorbed.
15. You can probably expect someone to change after marriage for the worse. If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.
16. In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous.
The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart.
Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself in trouble because you didn't do your homework.
The more you seek quality, respect,growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you.. The easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
Before you get involved and make a committment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs.
Ask yourself, Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare and control?
Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?
Note: 2 things can happen in a marriage:
1. You can grow together, or
2. You can grow apart.
Bottom Line; Marry someone who wants the same thing.
Tips on what keeps a relationship strong:
1. Trust
2. Communication
3. Intimacy
4. A Sense of Humour
5. Sharing Tasks
6. Some getaway time without Biz or Kid
7. Daily exchanges(meal, hug, call, touch, notes)
8. Sharing common goals and interests
9. Giving each other space to grow without feelings insecure
10. Giving each other a sense of belonging and assurances of committment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is regarding meaningful and inspirational information on marriage and love. I would like all to read and know for the good of your relationship and marriage.
Here it goes:
1. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love.
2. Love is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage.
3. A Couple should have certain level of chemistry and a sense of humorous
4. Good and stable career so we can put a home together which involved financial committment.
5. Both must share certain level of interest or must put in effort to cultivate new hobbies.
6. Never stop showering each other with praises, attention and acts of love to keep the passion going.
7. There must be a certain level of trust, communication, compromising before start of a new relationship.
8. Find someone who share a common goal in life despite it's either spiritually, buidling a family or earning more money.
9. Find someone who will make you a better person.
10. You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose.
11. You have to feel safe with the person means you can communicate openly with the one.
12. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.
13. You should choose to be with a person who is a mensch.
A mensch is a refined and sensitive person. He is always striving to be good and do the right thing.
This person is the opposite of a materialistic person who is dedicated to seeking comfort.
Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing.
14. The person you want to be with should enjoy giving pleasure to others instead of wrapping up themselves and self-absorbed.
15. You can probably expect someone to change after marriage for the worse. If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.
16. In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous.
The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart.
Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself in trouble because you didn't do your homework.
The more you seek quality, respect,growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you.. The easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
Before you get involved and make a committment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs.
Ask yourself, Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare and control?
Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?
Note: 2 things can happen in a marriage:
1. You can grow together, or
2. You can grow apart.
Bottom Line; Marry someone who wants the same thing.
Tips on what keeps a relationship strong:
1. Trust
2. Communication
3. Intimacy
4. A Sense of Humour
5. Sharing Tasks
6. Some getaway time without Biz or Kid
7. Daily exchanges(meal, hug, call, touch, notes)
8. Sharing common goals and interests
9. Giving each other space to grow without feelings insecure
10. Giving each other a sense of belonging and assurances of committment.
Henderson Wave and Alexandra Arch
Met up with Teerex and his wife and Ark this morning as we wanted to explore the Henderson Wave and Alexandra Arch which was open last weekend. The weather is really good today but really humid. I was totally drench in sweat. Really a hot weather.
A pity that the shots are not that good as the bridge was "infested" with people.
Just to share my shots taken today.
A pity that the shots are not that good as the bridge was "infested" with people.
Just to share my shots taken today.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Feel So...
Today is my last day in NTU working as a Project Officer. I have been working there since I left Motorola in 30th June 2006. Started work on 31st July 2006 till to date. I had a great time in NTU. It is not the job or prospect but the people who make it so interesting. Can't believe that I was the first to go.
Today, Dong Wei and Kwang Yong told Prof Chen of their decision to leave and the date is fixed. So every month, one staff will leave. First, me in May, Dong Wei in June and Kwang Yong in July. Geez...
I was very busy today that I couldn't final up the report. I was busy helping Chen Hao with the project, doing the email backup, giving advice for the NAS issue. At around evening time, Kwang Yong and I had dinner at the new Food Court before he send me to CommonWealth MRT.
After the whole day of receiving well wishes for my future and also farewell, I felt so... empty... I haven't had this feeling for quite a while. I still can remember getting the same feeling of emptiness when I ORD in Dec 2000. Choo (my bunk mate) and I got our pink IC that day and we felt so empty after getting it. It is like we have been waiting for so long for it, but when we got it, we don't know whether to be happy, sad or excited. We just felt so... empty.
I guess I must be feeling mixed right now. I do look forward to the new challenges but I am starting to miss all my lab mates especially those crazy and stupid jokes during lunch time.
Today, Dong Wei and Kwang Yong told Prof Chen of their decision to leave and the date is fixed. So every month, one staff will leave. First, me in May, Dong Wei in June and Kwang Yong in July. Geez...
I was very busy today that I couldn't final up the report. I was busy helping Chen Hao with the project, doing the email backup, giving advice for the NAS issue. At around evening time, Kwang Yong and I had dinner at the new Food Court before he send me to CommonWealth MRT.
After the whole day of receiving well wishes for my future and also farewell, I felt so... empty... I haven't had this feeling for quite a while. I still can remember getting the same feeling of emptiness when I ORD in Dec 2000. Choo (my bunk mate) and I got our pink IC that day and we felt so empty after getting it. It is like we have been waiting for so long for it, but when we got it, we don't know whether to be happy, sad or excited. We just felt so... empty.
I guess I must be feeling mixed right now. I do look forward to the new challenges but I am starting to miss all my lab mates especially those crazy and stupid jokes during lunch time.
My Last Day in RRC - Farewell
Hi All,
As some of you may have heard, today (15th May 2008) will be my last day in NTU (MAE-RRC).
I will just like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude, thanks and appreciation to all of you.
It has been a truly memorable 1 year and 09 months of experience to be working with all in one way or another and I hope that I was able to leave my footprint behind in the heart of those whom I worked closely with.
In short, a very Big Thank-You to all for the guidance, support, friendship and also patience as well. Not forgetting to thank NTU for giving me a chance to come back to serve my Alma Mater. A note of thanks to Prof Chen I-Ming and Prof Yeo Song Huat for supervising the current project that I am working on.
As the saying goes "A journey of thousand miles begins underneath one's feet". Every thing in life has a beginning, and indeed, a new chapter for me is about to unfold. Guess the same applies to all of you, for everyday, there maybe something new waiting for you to be explored. One part of my journey has ended, another will begin. Hope that in the near future our path may be able to cross again, so till then take care and keep in touch. Good luck & All the best!!!
Life is like a series of banquets; people are always getting together, and dispersing again. I really treasure the friendship I have with each and every one of you and will miss you all. Saying goodbye to all my friends here is the hardest thing for me to do but still, all I can say is Farewell to all, Thank you very much, Farewell.
I will still pop by RRC once a while to complete up my report for my M.Eng submission, so don’t be surprise if you still see me back. J
My Contacts:
Mobile: -
Email: -
Cheerz and Best Regards!!!
As some of you may have heard, today (15th May 2008) will be my last day in NTU (MAE-RRC).
I will just like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude, thanks and appreciation to all of you.
It has been a truly memorable 1 year and 09 months of experience to be working with all in one way or another and I hope that I was able to leave my footprint behind in the heart of those whom I worked closely with.
In short, a very Big Thank-You to all for the guidance, support, friendship and also patience as well. Not forgetting to thank NTU for giving me a chance to come back to serve my Alma Mater. A note of thanks to Prof Chen I-Ming and Prof Yeo Song Huat for supervising the current project that I am working on.
As the saying goes "A journey of thousand miles begins underneath one's feet". Every thing in life has a beginning, and indeed, a new chapter for me is about to unfold. Guess the same applies to all of you, for everyday, there maybe something new waiting for you to be explored. One part of my journey has ended, another will begin. Hope that in the near future our path may be able to cross again, so till then take care and keep in touch. Good luck & All the best!!!
Life is like a series of banquets; people are always getting together, and dispersing again. I really treasure the friendship I have with each and every one of you and will miss you all. Saying goodbye to all my friends here is the hardest thing for me to do but still, all I can say is Farewell to all, Thank you very much, Farewell.
I will still pop by RRC once a while to complete up my report for my M.Eng submission, so don’t be surprise if you still see me back. J
My Contacts:
Mobile: -
Email: -
Cheerz and Best Regards!!!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Farewell Lunch (7th May 2008)
Since I am leaving NTU this Thursday and Kwang Yong and Dong Wei are leaving NTU to pursue their goals in life in the coming months, the three of us decided to give all those working at the back of the Robotics Research Centre (RRC) lab a lunch treat at the Staff Club last Friday. This photo was taken using Chen Hao's camera. Thanks to Chen Hao. :)
Left to Right : Zhong Wei Guo, Dong Wei, Dr Yan Liang, Lim WenBin, Li Kang, John Nguyen, Lim Kwang Yong, Francis Goh, Su ChenHao
Left to Right : Zhong Wei Guo, Dong Wei, Dr Yan Liang, Lim WenBin, Li Kang, John Nguyen, Lim Kwang Yong, Francis Goh, Su ChenHao
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mothers' Day
Almost forgot to mention, I have to attend to a PSS AGM later this morning. So no time to shoot also.
Anyway, just like to wish all mothers a Happy Mothers' Day.
Anyway, just like to wish all mothers a Happy Mothers' Day.
Too Little Time, Too Off-Focus
Have been up since 4:30am as I was woken up by the passing storm. The weather is rather cool now and I am enjoying it. Part of me wanted to sleep, while the other part wanted to go out and snap some lighting pictures. To catch a lighting is not easy. So there I was, sitting on my chair, looking out the window, enjoying the cold morning and stormy wind, not doing a single thing until the rain stopped.
So I on my MSN and chatted with Karfee (since he is online). Then I told him that I am very upset as I find that my photography skills are dropping. I find that my shots lack of that impact and mood. I seems to lost it... Maybe I am losing my passion for photography... I hope that is not the case. I think that it might have to do with my recent work load and also new job. I am rushing my thesis, going for RT and exercise, preparing for my new job. So many things happening, so little time. I guess I am off-focus which is not good for photography. :P (When you off-focus, you get blur pictures. Hahaha...)
I guess I need some time for myself. To do some soul-searching. To find back that strength and passion. I need a break...
So I on my MSN and chatted with Karfee (since he is online). Then I told him that I am very upset as I find that my photography skills are dropping. I find that my shots lack of that impact and mood. I seems to lost it... Maybe I am losing my passion for photography... I hope that is not the case. I think that it might have to do with my recent work load and also new job. I am rushing my thesis, going for RT and exercise, preparing for my new job. So many things happening, so little time. I guess I am off-focus which is not good for photography. :P (When you off-focus, you get blur pictures. Hahaha...)
I guess I need some time for myself. To do some soul-searching. To find back that strength and passion. I need a break...
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
You Can Do It!
Was listening to "Stand" by Rascal Flatts this morning which reminds me of something interesting to share with all. Success and Failure is all in the mind. As long as we don't give up and keep holding on. We will succeed in the end.
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If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you're right.
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
it's almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost.
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself
before you can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go to
the stronger or faster man,
but sooner or later the man who wins
is the man who thinks he can!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you're right.
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
it's almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost.
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself
before you can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go to
the stronger or faster man,
but sooner or later the man who wins
is the man who thinks he can!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
What a Coincidence!!!
I don't usually like to meet people on Saturday because I am going for my Remedial Training (RT) at Maju Camp for these few weeks. The RT session ended quite early today and so I decided to head to NTU Alumi Club to work out some more and also get wash up there before heading home.
As I was waiting for MRT, I was thinking of meeting someone for dinner. I was having a random list of people from Chye Lai to Ah Meng, maybe even Angeline to HuiRong. Then I just call off the thought and decided to head home instead.
As I board the MRT, I was listening to MP3 player. Someone caught my eyes. I can't believe that it is HuiRong. What a coincidence. I wanted to approach her but she was on the phone. So I decided to SMS her to catch her attention. :P Just nice when she hung up the phone, she look at the message and saw me. It was so funny.
HuiRong is meeting her gals friends for coffee and tea. Since she haven't had dinner, I just took her out for dinner. It has been long since we last met. She looks much thinner than before and I can see that she is not resting well. I took her to Sushi Tei at City Hall for dinner.
During the dinner, my Nagging Uncle Syndrome (NUS) acts up and just keep nagging her to take good care of herself, have plenty of rest and so on. I do find myself quite naggy at time. :P (PS : Hey gal, sorry for been so naggy. Hahaha...)
Over the period of 2 years, I see that she had changed quite a lot. But in my heart, she is always the 18 years old HuiRong that I know during my Studio Lighting Course at PSS.
Just like to dedicate this post to her, my friend. Cheerz.
As I was waiting for MRT, I was thinking of meeting someone for dinner. I was having a random list of people from Chye Lai to Ah Meng, maybe even Angeline to HuiRong. Then I just call off the thought and decided to head home instead.
As I board the MRT, I was listening to MP3 player. Someone caught my eyes. I can't believe that it is HuiRong. What a coincidence. I wanted to approach her but she was on the phone. So I decided to SMS her to catch her attention. :P Just nice when she hung up the phone, she look at the message and saw me. It was so funny.
HuiRong is meeting her gals friends for coffee and tea. Since she haven't had dinner, I just took her out for dinner. It has been long since we last met. She looks much thinner than before and I can see that she is not resting well. I took her to Sushi Tei at City Hall for dinner.
During the dinner, my Nagging Uncle Syndrome (NUS) acts up and just keep nagging her to take good care of herself, have plenty of rest and so on. I do find myself quite naggy at time. :P (PS : Hey gal, sorry for been so naggy. Hahaha...)
Over the period of 2 years, I see that she had changed quite a lot. But in my heart, she is always the 18 years old HuiRong that I know during my Studio Lighting Course at PSS.
Just like to dedicate this post to her, my friend. Cheerz.
Friday, May 02, 2008
For 30 years now, you've been getting spam
Something that I read on Yahoo News.
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WASHINGTON (AFP) - - This week, the world will mark an anniversary that has changed the face -- and other anatomical regions -- of email inboxes everywhere: the first known spam email was sent 30 years ago on Saturday.
But the message sent on May 3, 1978 by a marketer for the now defunct DEC computer company to around 400 people on the west coast of the United States wasn't called spam, and the sender dispatched it without ill intent.
How things have changed.
Spam got its name from a skit by the television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus," in which a group of Vikings in a restaurant that serves all of its food with Spam tinned meat sing a song repeating the word ad nauseum, says Brad Templeton, who has thoroughly researched the subject.
"Thus, the meaning of the term at least: something that keeps repeating and repeating to great annoyance," Templeton, who was dabbling in the Internet in the 1970s -- when it was still the US government-run Arpanet -- says on his website.
These days spamming is a sophisticated operation that affects millions and jams ill-prepared email inboxes.
The percentage of spam sent to account holders on Gmail -- the email service offered by Google -- quadrupled between 2004 and 2008, climbing from 20 percent to around 80 percent.
"To give you some sense of scale, we have tens of millions of users worldwide," Gmail's Jason Freidenfelds told AFP, adding that only about one percent of spam gets through Gmail's spam-filtering system, according to user feedback.
Spam methodology has also changed in the past 30 years.
Whereas the sender of the first spam had to type in each recipient's address individually, today the job is often done remotely using cyber-monsters called botnets.
Botnets have hijacked around 30 percent of personal and office computers with inadequate security features and use them to dispatch thousands of spams each day, Templeton told AFP.
"The recruited computers wait for commands that come through anonymous channels and tell them to send spam email to 1,000 people, all unbeknownst to their owners. The people who do this control millions of computers around the world," Templeton said.
"Don't look to the guy to your left, don't look to the guy to your right. It's you," he said ominously.
Spam content and motives have also evolved since the 1978 message, which was an invitation to a product launch.
Spams today come from Nigerian "princes" or fictitious relatives of deceased African dictators intent on hoodwinking email account holders into parting with bank details or cash, in exchange for a slice of the wealth stashed in an offshore account.
More vicious spammers last year shut down government and business websites in European Union member Estonia by bombarding servers with traffic, a technique also used by a new breed of spammer, the online extortionist.
"The extortionist says, 'Lovely business you have, would be terrible if something happened to it.' And if you don't pay protection money, they get machines to just pound away at the web server all day so it can no longer work," said Templeton.
But the most common form of spam remains the unsolicited message that tries to sell you a replica Rolex, a miracle weight loss formula, or medication to enlarge anatomical parts or enhance sexual prowess.
Twelve percent of Internet users have bought something offered to them by spam, Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at IT security company Sophos, told AFP.
"Maybe these people are too embarrassed to go to their doctor or they want to save some money, but we have to educate them to report spam, delete spam, but absolutely never buy off spam," he said.
"A Brazilian model died after using weight loss pills she bought off spam ... The person who spams does not have a strong ethical sense," he warned.
Last year, 75 percent of Americans who were tricked by Internet fraudsters into parting with 239.09 million dollars (152.5 million euros) were ensnared through a spam message, according to a report by the FBI.
But despite the warnings, the spammers still fish and people still bite.
"P.T Barnum was right when he said there's a sucker born every minute," said Templeton. "I'll expand it to say there's a sucker spammed every second."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - This week, the world will mark an anniversary that has changed the face -- and other anatomical regions -- of email inboxes everywhere: the first known spam email was sent 30 years ago on Saturday.
But the message sent on May 3, 1978 by a marketer for the now defunct DEC computer company to around 400 people on the west coast of the United States wasn't called spam, and the sender dispatched it without ill intent.
How things have changed.
Spam got its name from a skit by the television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus," in which a group of Vikings in a restaurant that serves all of its food with Spam tinned meat sing a song repeating the word ad nauseum, says Brad Templeton, who has thoroughly researched the subject.
"Thus, the meaning of the term at least: something that keeps repeating and repeating to great annoyance," Templeton, who was dabbling in the Internet in the 1970s -- when it was still the US government-run Arpanet -- says on his website.
These days spamming is a sophisticated operation that affects millions and jams ill-prepared email inboxes.
The percentage of spam sent to account holders on Gmail -- the email service offered by Google -- quadrupled between 2004 and 2008, climbing from 20 percent to around 80 percent.
"To give you some sense of scale, we have tens of millions of users worldwide," Gmail's Jason Freidenfelds told AFP, adding that only about one percent of spam gets through Gmail's spam-filtering system, according to user feedback.
Spam methodology has also changed in the past 30 years.
Whereas the sender of the first spam had to type in each recipient's address individually, today the job is often done remotely using cyber-monsters called botnets.
Botnets have hijacked around 30 percent of personal and office computers with inadequate security features and use them to dispatch thousands of spams each day, Templeton told AFP.
"The recruited computers wait for commands that come through anonymous channels and tell them to send spam email to 1,000 people, all unbeknownst to their owners. The people who do this control millions of computers around the world," Templeton said.
"Don't look to the guy to your left, don't look to the guy to your right. It's you," he said ominously.
Spam content and motives have also evolved since the 1978 message, which was an invitation to a product launch.
Spams today come from Nigerian "princes" or fictitious relatives of deceased African dictators intent on hoodwinking email account holders into parting with bank details or cash, in exchange for a slice of the wealth stashed in an offshore account.
More vicious spammers last year shut down government and business websites in European Union member Estonia by bombarding servers with traffic, a technique also used by a new breed of spammer, the online extortionist.
"The extortionist says, 'Lovely business you have, would be terrible if something happened to it.' And if you don't pay protection money, they get machines to just pound away at the web server all day so it can no longer work," said Templeton.
But the most common form of spam remains the unsolicited message that tries to sell you a replica Rolex, a miracle weight loss formula, or medication to enlarge anatomical parts or enhance sexual prowess.
Twelve percent of Internet users have bought something offered to them by spam, Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at IT security company Sophos, told AFP.
"Maybe these people are too embarrassed to go to their doctor or they want to save some money, but we have to educate them to report spam, delete spam, but absolutely never buy off spam," he said.
"A Brazilian model died after using weight loss pills she bought off spam ... The person who spams does not have a strong ethical sense," he warned.
Last year, 75 percent of Americans who were tricked by Internet fraudsters into parting with 239.09 million dollars (152.5 million euros) were ensnared through a spam message, according to a report by the FBI.
But despite the warnings, the spammers still fish and people still bite.
"P.T Barnum was right when he said there's a sucker born every minute," said Templeton. "I'll expand it to say there's a sucker spammed every second."
