hey, folks.  if you are on a network system, you almost certainly have a
net-based anti-virus program (mcafee, norton, etc.) that SHOULD update your
virus protection on a DAILY basis and SHOULD scan your email as
received.  (this produces the "bug" logo that david notes below.)  if you
have adjusted the properties of the anti-virus program so that your update
occurs only when you trigger it, or only once a month as noted below, you
should change it so that the update is daily and automatic.  if your
institution has a site license for such software, you can download it at
home and update it by dial-up modem or on an automatic basis if you have a
high-speed line connected with cable tv service (in which case your home
email works just like your work line).  if your home virus protection isn't
real reliable, don't let students send papers there.  i agree with david
that students are a serious threat to our health and i suspect that it's
high time for a conference (is bellagio occupied?) where we can think about
how to do away with them.  jb


At 12:28 PM 4/24/01 -0400, you wrote:
>ATHG is an unmoderated listserv, so what arrives gets sent (unless the
>listserv manager detects that it is SPAM, i.e., commercial email sent to a
>vast number of people offering scams on how to get rich quick,
>etc.).  Although I have a program that automatically updates my anti-virus
>software monthly, I open attachments from only people whom I know and urge
>everybody else to do the same.  My main problem comes from students who
>send papers from computer labs, notoriously virus-ridden places.  I confess
>that I don't know how anti-virus software works; I do know that I
>occasionally get email with the picture of a bug next to it and
>instructions to delete without reading.