Date: Monday, April 14, 2003, 10:02 AM
From: Joe ([email protected])
Subject: New Yorkers Face Off in Spam Spat
The insurance companies are either really desperate or on crack (probably both). ("New Yorkers Face Off in Spam Spat," April 11, 2003).
1. If they are sending mail to anyone who holds a policy of any kind, that's customer communication, not spam, so they're not affected.
2. If they are sending mail to anyone who requested information, that's responding to requests, not spam, so they're not affected.
3. If they are sending mail to people who have no dealings with the company and did not request information, that's spam, and the insurance companies should be slapped with all applicable fines that the bill would bring. These people are notcustomers. They are private individuals or organizations that did not ask for your mail. Which part of "unsolicited mail" do you not understand?
Stop whining and grabbing at straws and focus on running your business. If you offer great services at competitive prices, take great care of your customers and run your company efficiently, you wouldn't be wasting everyone's time with your whining and complaining.
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Date: Saturday, April 12, 2003, 01:23 PM
From: Julia ([email protected])
__Subject: Afghan Women Usher in IT Age __
What I don't quite understand is just how Nabila and other graduates from this program are going to use their skills once they graduate? ("Afghan Women Usher in IT Age," April 8, 2003). In a country with limited access to electricity, let alone computers, I wonder what Afghans are going to do with this skill set, introduced before the need has been established.
The limited available information on methods for introducing ICTs for development shows that the most successful projects require the introduction of appropriate technologies. As far as I can see, by training Nabila and her colleagues, Cisco is creating demand for external technologies. While I don't doubt that many youth in Afghanistan have heard of computers and see the skill as a potential symbol of modernity and success, I do think that the introduction of this skill needs to be taken seriously and considered carefully.
Leapfrogging technology, or any idea set, is fine, as long as there is an established localized need for it.
Afghans might be able to adapt their skills to their local needs, but if not, they will simply wind up disappointed and disillusioned with both those who promised them the computer revolution and those who bombed their country.
