Recently, I have received a rash of e-mails that make claims to certain truths, which are in fact urban myths, legends, hoaxes, scams or scarelore. Some of the classic ones are the Life Is Beautiful virus, or the missing child Ashley Flores, and even the Microsoft/AOL cash giveaway.
The unfortunate thing is that sometimes even the news media will cover it, adding even more credibility to something that is just not true. For example, there was the one warning about drinking bottled water left in a hot car. A reputable FOX affiliates website reported on this warning, and very quickly it spread around as being true, and the e-mails started multiplying as two friends told two friends, and so on.
So, before you forward an e-mail to everyone in your address book because you believe time is of the essence and they MUST know about it, go to SNOPES.COM and check it out for yourself.
Yes, it is true that occasionally one of those e-mails may actually be accurate and providing important information, like the one about the Starbucanneers, an New York City Starbucks outlet that charged 9/11 rescue workers $130 for three cases of water.
The bottom line is, just like the best news journalists have been told by their publishers, check your sources, and avoid egg on your face.
Thanks for reading, and remember - Think outside the browser!
Troy Roach
OnSite Technology
519-404-3357
www.onsitetechnology.ca
Visit my other blog "Insight on Technology" for my views on current technology, trends, issues and other stuff.
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