Bill Gates in 2004: “Two years from now, spam will be solved”
I’m a Microsoft guy. Always have been and probably always will be. From the days of BASIC, MS-DOS, Windows 3.1 up until now when I’m developing web applications with .NET and SQL Server. Although I may not agree with how they do business at times, I keep defending them from all the attacks that my friends or co-workers hurl at them. I’ve seen how Microsoft has changed its attitude towards criticism within the last few years. Whereas previously they would just ignore it and act with arrogance, these days Microsoft seems more open to suggestions and are adopting a more customer centric approach to their products.
My affinity for Microsoft products cannot be separated from my respect and admiration for one of its founders and most recognizable face, Bill Gates. Call him what you may, the devil (try Googling “Bill Gates 666”), a thief (people claim he just steals ideas and builds on them, case in point – Mac OS & Windows), arrogant, builder of a monopoly, and much more, but nobody can deny what he’s accomplished. He’s built an empire from scratch, withstood so many blows against Microsoft, provided a great working environment to thousands of loyal Microsofties, and set up the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he puts quite a fortune into charity work. To me, Bill Gates is a visionary; I believe that without such vision, he wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what he has.
And yet, when I see quotes like this from 2004:
Two years from now, spam will be solved.
I cringe and question whether his vision was distorted at the time, or has just been delayed. No disrespect to Mr. Gates at all, but he has been known to throw a vision curveball at the world (remember the now infamous 640K ought to be enough for anybody quote back from 1981?). Of course, in 2004, he was talking in the context of Microsoft’s Caller ID technology (now called the Sender ID Framework), supposed anti-spam technology that would cause a major dent in spammers’ livelihood worldwide.
It’s currently December 11th 2006, and I really doubt this particular vision of Mr. Gates will come to pass. The spam that comes through my mailboxes (Hotmail, Yahoo and GMail) still haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. It looks like this quote will go down in history alongside that 640K quote as ones that will be used against him (and Microsoft undoubtedly) over and over again.
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Let’s consider an alternative: EmailXT
EmailXT is an email protocol that builds on top of the existing infrastructure. How to stop spam and viruses using EmailXT? Install a compatible application. It looks unbelievably simple, but it is that simple. All it needs is adoption. And no, it does not require cooperation from everybody at once…
However, being a more complex system than current email, it does require users to manage more than just simple email addresses.
If you want to try it out, go to http://www.emailxt.com and download the client app. Watch out for the bugs ‘cos it’s an alpha version. Actually you need two installations so that you can test email send/receive.
My contribution for Gate’s search of a solution… JS
on December 13, 2006 at 12:51 PM - LINKDarrick,
EmailXT focus on relationships. When you want to “connect” with someone else, you ask for a “relationship”. You must then go through an approval process that is similar to the challenge/response sytems of today. But being a standardized process it is easier for the average email user.
EmailXT also features other ways to get in touch with other people:
Passcodes - You give a special code along with your email address. Then people can use this code to get their messages directly through. The code got compromised, revoke it and create another one.
Introductions - You can establish an immediate relationship with another person through a common trusted friend.
The InfinityXT app (EmailXT’s official client) is pretty basic at this point but works. And it is safe since it doesn’t touch system files or the registry.
HTH
on December 20, 2006 at 12:40 PM - LINKI know. It is crazy but I can understand why those conspiracy crazies can get all hyped up.
on December 29, 2006 at 01:42 PM - LINKBill Gates said a few years ago that spam was a problem of the past
on January 11, 2007 at 10:39 AM - LINKBut being a standardized process it is easier for the average email user.
on October 29, 2008 at 04:34 AM - LINK