So what does it say about the state of SPAM that I'm actually relieved to the point of reading and taking messages seriously when they are not from slimy sexual-related spammers?? I got an email tonight from a guy who claims to "stop snoring", and, I didn't even mind that it was spam (even though I live alone and if the cat snores, who cares?) Such a relief to get spam that wasn't from someone who wanted me to spank 18 year old virgins or something.. you know?

That said, quite a few Sherpa readers have written in asking how to control the spam they get in their in-boxes. I'm no expert (more used to advising potential spam-senders than recipients) but have heard that a great place to report spammers for free is SpamCop.net. Last time I was there last week a few well known companies were listed as spammers, including InternetWire which charges its users a few hundred bucks per release to send out PR online. Since then InternetWire who according to their spokesperson take spamming accusations VERY seriously, have not shown up again ... yet.