The Monthly Lupine Awards
for MMF - September 1997
I apologize for the long delay in getting this report out. I've been
incredibly busy lately.
I have set up a special mail alias for people to submit reports of Make
Money Fast chain letters. Anyone who spots a chain letter is welcome to
send it, headers and all, to:
chainsaw@news.msfc.nasa.gov
You won't get a reply. I won't necessarily cancel any articles you send
me. I use what I receive to tweak my Make Money Fast detector so that it
can catch new variants. Please send only one article at a time. You
don't have to send more than one copy of a given type.
I express my grateful appreciation to the following people for their
submissions to this project in September:
submissions name
----------- ----
158 Nasty Mama
18 Gin Petty
4 Matt Bartley
3 Donald & Leigh Anne Harvill
2 Ken Lucke
2 J Peter Mugaas
2 David Ritz
There were also some others who sent only one article to chainsaw in
September, but most of these were not MMF submissions; instead, they were
typically Cc:ed replies from various postmasters.
As before, almost all (about 95%) of these submissions were automatically
detected by the MMF detector. Typically, these posts merely hadn't made
it to my server yet, or else my cancels hadn't made it to their servers
yet.
So much for the Good Guys. Now for the Bad Guys...
The following table lists the number of "Make Money Fast" (MMF) chain
letter articles I have canceled from my site, news.msfc.nasa.gov, by
article header From address, for the month of September, 1997, ranked by
number of articles. I only list the top 40. The numbers could vary
significantly from site to site; other people cancel these things as
well, and some sites (such as AOL) do not honor cancels at all.
Please note that forged and/or mangled names and addresses are common. I
usually try to combine entries that are actually from the same person,
but I've pretty much lost my patience with it, and I leave it as an
exercise for the reader. 8-)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Golden Lupine award goes to:
Rank Posts
---- -----
1 3555 JOHN EDMONDS [worldnet.att.net]
There was a John Edmonds listed in the sucker list, but the name in the
hot seat was one Mike Andrews of Jasper, Georgia, USA. The last article
I have of this series was dated 9 September, although I didn't get it
until 18 September.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Silver Lupine award goes to:
Rank Posts
---- -----
2 2802 <> [news.linknet.net]
Except for about 30 which were from an ISP in Ireland, these were from
news.linknet.net. These had a curious trait: They had a six-person
list, but the instructions were to shift up the first *five* names and
put your name and address in *fifth* position. I don't know if this was
by carelessness or design. #4 was A. Safar of Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
(see the Bronze Award winner), #5 was R. Fukuda of Annarbor, Michigan,
USA, and #6 was "F. Al-gain" of San Jose, CA, USA. The last of these was
dated 11 September, and good riddance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bronze Lupine award goes to:
Rank Posts
---- -----
3 1172 Abdul Safar [news.linknet.net]
More from news.linknet.net. These also had the five-or-six
characteristic of the Silver Lupine Award winner, who was also a
news.linknet.net user. Might have been the same person. #5 was A. Safar
of Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA, and #6 was A. Minero of East Islip, New
York, USA. All of these posts were made on 6 September. I think that
there were actually close to 10000 of these posted, but the high-volume
cancelers got the rest of them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rest of the top 40. The name of the ISP is in []'s if it differs
significantly from the domain in the email address.
Rank Posts
---- -----
4 580 Sony.Carrol@luter.com (Sony Carrol) [wanadoo.fr]
5 546 Unknown@shadow.mil [softcom.net]
6 419 idp@user.rmci.com (CF)
7 333 (CF@CADVISION.COM)
(CF@cadvision.com)
(JAY@CADVISION.COM)
(Make Money!) [netstarcomm.net]
(Mike) [demon.co.uk]
(Mikey likes it) [mindspring.com]
(Roberta L. Clairborne) [greater.net]
(bone@the.office) [worldnet.att.net]
(tobbe@hotmail.com) [swip.net]
These were obviously not all the same person. They are lumped together
here because they have a null From address, and my statistics compiler
works like that. If I find time, I'll try to fix this for next month's
report. Of these, "(Make Money!)" represented about 260 of these, with
"(tobbe@hotmail.com)" and "(Roberta L. Clairborne)" far behind, and the
others in dribs and drabs.
8 326 "JOB OFFER!" [ucs.mun.ca]
"LAST WEEK! FOR THIS " [ucs.mun.ca]
"MrMagic" [ucs.mun.ca]
9 253 "J. M. McCabe"
"JMM"
"James M. McCabe"
10 245 user@clear.net.co.nz (.) [loxinfo.net]
11 231 "jbuset" [bellglobal.com]
12 227 PLJ L [news.pt.lu]
13 210 mrcol@usa.net [netzilla.net]
mrcol@usa.net (Mr.Col) [netzilla.net]
14 198 gresafinga@aol.com (Gresafinga)
15 195 "MA" [msn.com]
16 192 "S. Halabi"
16 192 "A.M.G"
"Rigel Martinez"
17 189 readthis@remove.for.spam.hotmail.com (Cash Flow Systems) [worldnet.att.net]
18 183 irmatt@aol.com (IRMATT)
19 177 elir
20 169 Michael Reit
21 166 113210.2236@compuserve.com
22 159 Unknown [moswest.msn.net]
22 159 "Barny" [inter.net.il]
"Bernstein" [inter.net.il]
23 158 Andrew [erols.com]
24 157 "JAMES.K" [kolumbus.fi]
"Jame$." [kolumbus.fi]
"James.K" [kolumbus.fi]
25 155 "kj"
26 148 Hubert.traglia@aol.fr (Hubert TRAGLIA) [wanadoo.fr]
27 143 "Alan Neiva Freitas"
28 140 freakboy@ix.netcom.com (Billy Stram) [cybernews.net]
29 137 abevn@aol.com (Abevn)
30 130 easycash_71@hotmail.com (AC) [earthlink.net]
easycash_71@hotmail.com (EC) [earthlink.net]
31 127 No@Joke.Org (NO JOKE!) [i1.net]
No@Joke.Org (No Joke!) [fidnet.com/i1.net]
This user, who also used a number of other similar addresses (e.g., see
the various i1.net and fidnet.com entries below), went on an MMF rampage
that I was unable to stifle until recently, if in fact it has stopped.
The person listed in the pole position was ASHLE of MANCHESTER, MO.
Posted from fidnet.com through 22 September, from i1.net through 12
October. By then, ASHLE had racked up close to 4000 posts. i1.net
claims that complaints are to go to support@i1.net.
32 126 Not@Spam.Org (NOT A HOAX!) [i1.net]
Not@Spam.Org (Not a Hoax!) [fidnet.com/i1.net]
32 126 Just@Say.Yes (YES !!!) [i1.net]
Just@Say.Yes (Yes !!!) [fidnet.com/i1.net]
32 126 Jason Berard [datasync.com]
32 126 "Richard Otten" [nl.net]
33 124 PIUS DOYLE
33 124 ABUDDY@Hello.com [rr.com]
33 124 "BULAMATARE"
34 123 "Eric Clark" [istar.net]
stoncold@ontarioeast.net (Eric Clark) [istar.net]
35 122 For@Real.Org (FOR REAL!) [i1.net]
For@Real.Org (For Real!) [fidnet.com/i1.net]
36 119 richard english
36 119 Good@and.Plenty (HEADS UP!) [i1.net]
36 119 "sharkyisland" [ibernet.es]
37 118 apocalyp@pics.com
apocalyp@pics.com (Boudroxx )
37 118 Real@In.Come (REAL INCOME!) [i1.net]
Real@In.Come (Real Income!) [fidnet.com/i1.net]
38 117 Up@Front.Org (WOW !!!) [i1.net]
39 116 Just@Do.It (JUST DO IT!) [i1.net]
Just@Do.It (Just Do It!) [fidnet.com/i1.net]
39 116 Azizul
39 116 "jcheryl"
40 115 ktayl@mindspring.com (Kelly J. Taylor)
40 115 "Jenny Lau So King"
--------------------------------------
Total articles canceled: 37639
Total unique Froms: 1574
There were approximately 0.87 cancels issued per minute in September, a
significant decrease from last month.
I have compiled a list of the most MMF-ridden newsgroups in September
1997. Please note that this list is affected by many factors, such as:
1. I don't get (or want) a full feed here, and a lot of the newsgroups
listed are mostly leakage or crossposts.
2. I don't cancel articles in moderated newsgroups and certain others
(such as news.admin.*).
3. Crossposts are listed as if they were multiple posts, unlike the
Lupine Awards list above.
4. The activities of other third-party cancelers are not compensated
for.
With that in mind, here are the top 40 "MMF magnets" for September 1997.
rank arts newsgroup
---- ---- ---------
1 84 alt.business
2 76 alt.business.home.pc
3 68 alt.business.multi-level
4 60 alt.2600
5 58 alt.business.home
5 58 alt.0d
5 58 ab.jobs
6 57 alt.1d
7 55 alt.business.misc
8 52 alt.activism
9 51 alt.3d
9 51 a.bsu.programming
10 50 5col.forsale
11 49 a.bsu.talk
12 46 3b.config
13 44 alt.alcohol
13 44 ab.general
14 43 3b.misc
15 42 alt.astrology
15 42 5col.general
15 42 5col.announce
15 42 3b
16 40 alt.acting
17 39 comp.text.tex
17 39 alt.anything
17 39 alt.alt
17 39 alt.abuse.recovery
17 39 alt.abortion.inequity
17 39 acadia.bulletin-board
17 39 abg.amiga
18 38 abg.acf-jugend
19 37 alt.america.online
19 37 alt.adoption
19 37 acadia.chat
19 37 abg.diskussion
20 36 misc.entrepreneurs
20 36 alt.acme.exploding.newsgroup
20 36 abg.tip-info
21 35 alt.alien.visitors
21 35 alt.alien.research
21 35 alt.3d.studio
21 35 abg.atari
22 34 alt.beer
22 34 alt.algebra.help
22 34 alt.airline.schedules
22 34 a.bsu.religion
22 34 3b.test
23 33 alt.bbs.internet
23 33 alt.aol-sucks
23 33 alt.ads
24 32 alt.asian-movies
24 32 abg.acf-termine
25 31 alt.business.multi-level.exceltel
25 31 alt.autos
25 31 alt.2600hz
25 31 abg.intern
25 31 abg.biete
26 30 alt.binaries.pictures
26 30 alt.bbs
26 30 alt
26 30 abg.gewerblich
27 29 alt.business.import-export
27 29 alt.binaries.games
27 29 alt.america
27 29 alt.accounting
27 29 ab.politics
28 28 alt.community.local-money
28 28 alt.anybody
28 28 alt.anonymous
28 28 alt.2600.hackerz
28 28 abg.unix
28 28 abg.test
28 28 abg.acf-vor
29 27 alt.make.money
29 27 alt.jobs
29 27 alt.games
29 27 alt.bbs.ads
29 27 alt.alt.alt.alt.alt
29 27 alt.aldus.freehand
29 27 alt.aapg.general
29 27 alt.aapg.announce
29 27 alt.2d
29 27 alt.2600.hope.announce
29 27 abg.witziges
29 27 abg.suche
29 27 abg.ms-dos
29 27 abg.kultur
29 27 abg.dfue
30 26 alt.celebrities
30 26 alt.amazon-women.admirers
30 26 alt.abuse.transcendence
30 26 alt.abuse.offender.recovery
30 26 abg.member
31 25 alt.california
31 25 alt.binaries.pictures.celebrities
31 25 alt.best.of.internet
31 25 alt.amateur-comp
31 25 alt.agriculture.misc
31 25 alt.activism.death-penalty
31 25 alt.activism.d
31 25 alt.3d.misc
31 25 alt.2600.hope.tech
31 25 alt.2600.codez
31 25 abg.gruesse
32 24 alt.drugs
32 24 alt.autos.antique
32 24 alt.aldus.pagemaker
32 24 alt.2600.crackz
32 24 abg.uucp.waffle
32 24 abg.uucp.sta
33 23 alt.internet.commerce
33 23 alt.forsale
33 23 alt.business.franchise
33 23 alt.business.accountability
33 23 alt.atheism
33 23 alt.angst.xibo.sex
33 23 alt.agriculture.fruit
33 23 alt.aeffle.und.pferdle
33 23 alt.2600.warez
33 23 alt.2600.hope.d
33 23 alt.2600.414
33 23 adass.archiving
33 23 abg.uucp
33 23 aaa.inu-chan
33 23 3do.bad-attitude
34 22 alt.jobs.overseas
34 22 alt.comp.freeware
34 22 alt.coffee
34 22 alt.binaries.nude.celebrities
34 22 alt.bbs.lists
34 22 alt.ascii-art.animation
34 22 alt.ascii-art
34 22 alt.archery
34 22 alt.agriculture
34 22 alt.adoption.searching
34 22 alt.3d.sirds
34 22 alt.2600.programz
34 22 abg.mampf
34 22 a2i.ba.jobs.offered
35 21 alt.fashion
35 21 alt.business.career-opportunities.executives
35 21 alt.binaries.fonts
35 21 alt.binaries.cracks
35 21 alt.binaires.pictures.erotica.teen
35 21 alt.autos.camaro.firebird
35 21 alt.art.marketplace
35 21 alt.anonymous.messages
35 21 alt.allsysop
35 21 alt.abortion
35 21 alt.2600.phreakz
35 21 alt.12hr
35 21 alt.0000a.this-site.newgroups.everything
35 21 air.unix
35 21 ahn.general
36 20 alt.comedy.british
36 20 alt.books.stephen-king
36 20 alt.artcom
36 20 alt.anarchism
36 20 alt.alien.vampire.flonk.flonk.flonk
36 20 alt.ads.forsale
36 20 abq.for-sale
37 19 business.misc
37 19 alt.music.alternative
37 19 alt.binaries.pictures.animals
37 19 alt.binaries.nude.celebrities.female
37 19 alt.binaries.misc
37 19 alt.binaries.great.ass.paulina
37 19 alt.binaries.clip-art
37 19 alt.binaries.bbs
37 19 alt.bbs.lists.d
37 19 alt.baldspot
37 19 alt.american.automobile.breakdown.breakdown.breakdown
37 19 alt.aldus.misc
37 19 alt.ads.forsale.computers
37 19 alt.adjective.noun.verb.verb.verb
37 19 alt.2600.cardz
37 19 adass.fits.oirfits
37 19 acs.nntp
38 18 alt.guitar
38 18 alt.cyberpunk
38 18 alt.cult-movies
38 18 alt.cracks
38 18 alt.business.consulting
38 18 alt.binaries.pictures.anime
38 18 alt.binaries.lingerie
38 18 alt.binaries.howard-stern
38 18 alt.binaries.games.discussion
38 18 alt.backrubs
38 18 alt.bacchus
38 18 alt.babylon5.uk
38 18 alt.autos.macho-trucks
38 18 alt.art.colleges
38 18 alt.art.bodypainting
38 18 alt.angst
38 18 alt.activism.children
38 18 alt.abuse
38 18 alt.aac
38 18 akr.jobs
38 18 akr.freenet
38 18 acs.test
39 17 misc.misc
39 17 fj.life.money
39 17 alt.personals
39 17 alt.gambling
39 17 alt.conspiracy
39 17 alt.comp.shareware
39 17 alt.christnet
39 17 alt.child-support
39 17 alt.censorship
39 17 alt.callahans
39 17 alt.building.jobs
39 17 alt.binaries.pictures.supermodels
39 17 alt.binaries.pictures.cartoons
39 17 alt.binaries.pictures.bodyart
39 17 alt.binaries.anna-nicole-smith
39 17 alt.binaries.activism.militia
39 17 alt.binaries
39 17 alt.bible.prophecy
39 17 alt.bible
39 17 alt.beer.like-molson-eh
39 17 alt.bbs.first-class
39 17 alt.autos.ferrari
39 17 alt.arts.ballet
39 17 alt.aromatherapy
39 17 alt.architecture
39 17 alt.aquaria
39 17 alt.animals.badgers
39 17 alt.adoption.agency
39 17 alc.general
40 16 alt.comics.batman
40 16 alt.binaries.pictures.nude.celebrities
40 16 alt.binaries.multimedia
40 16 alt.binaries.fitness.centerfolds
40 16 alt.bbs.gigo-gateway
40 16 alt.bbs.doors
40 16 alt.basement.graveyard
40 16 alt.barney.dinosaur.die.die.die
40 16 alt.barefoot
40 16 alt.autos.classic-trucks
40 16 alt.autos.bmw
40 16 alt.atari-jaguar.discussion
40 16 alt.apocalypse
40 16 alt.animals.dolphins
40 16 alt.anagrams
40 16 alt.adoption.adoptive.parenting
40 16 alt.actor.dustin-hoffman
40 16 ak.admin
40 16 ads
40 16 adass.general
40 16 acs.osu-mentor
40 16 a2i.ba.jobs.offered.hivol
40 16 5col.rides
40 16 5col.politics
40 16 5col.housing
--
J. Porter Clark, d/b/a
+--+
|oo| The Unknown News Administrator
| | news@news.msfc.nasa.gov
`^^'
