Tech Blotter: Creative Spam
Jan. 3, 2006 — -- America Online's Top 10 spam subject lines, space tourism gets some rules, and meet the world's first robotic sparring partner. The latest and greatest technology tidbits in 2006's first edition of the "Tech Blotter."
Nothing Canned About This Spam
Spam may be a pain in the neck, but at least the people sending it are creative.
America Online -- AOL -- released its list of the top 10 spam subject lines for 2005 last week and some of the entries are more than a little amusing.
Topping the list is "the Donald" himself, Donald Trump, who -- according to the surreptitious spammers -- "wants you" and requires only a response.
There were offers for free high-tech toys, hot stock tips and -- of course -- erectile dysfunction medications.
"This year's analysis of hundreds of billions of attempted spam messages targeting AOL's global e-mail customers finds that spammers are using more 'special order' style subject lines," said a news release from AOL. "In fact, six in 10 of the top subject lines this year fall into this category, compared with just two in 2004 and none in 2003."
Here's the list of AOL's 2005 Top 10 global spam subject lines:
1. Donald Trump Wants You - Please Respond
2. Double Standards New Product - Penis Patch
3. Body Wrap: Lose 6-20 inches in one hour
4. Get an Apple iPod Nano, PS3 or Xbox 360 for Free
5. It's Lisa, I must have sent you to the wrong site
6. Breaking Stock News** Small Cap Issue Poised to Triple
7. Thank you for your business. Shipment notification [77FD87]
8. [IMPORTANT] Your Mortgage Application is Ready
9. Thank you: Your $199 Rolex Special Included
10. Online Prescriptions Made Easy
Let's hope next year's spammers are as original as this year's.
Prohibited: Sharp Objects and Laser Guns
Space tourists of the future now hear this: You have until Feb. 27, 2006, to submit your recommendations for flight regulations to the Federal Aviation Administration.
It's really happening -- space travel for private citizens.
Earlier this year, Virgin owner Sir Richard Branson announced the launch of a new enterprise, "Virgin Galactic," that will take tourists for a ride that's out of this world.
Not long after, Branson made another big announcement: Virgin Galactic and the state of New Mexico had reached an agreement to build the company's spaceport and mission control in the southern part of the sate.
With all this progress and a flight impending, the FAA has been hard at work drafting proposed rules for everything from insurance to crew requirements.
The FAA has posted the rules on its Web site and is asking any wannabe astronauts to chime in with their opinion.
Self-Defense, Dummy
In what may conjure up images of the classic Mattel kid's game "Rockem Sockem Robots," one company has turned the game's faux mechanical stars into real-life boxing androids.
Self Defense Technologies Inc., claims to have invented the world's first boxing, martial-arts and kick-boxing android, which the company says will revolutionize the training regimens of pros and wannabes alike.
The aptly named "Fighting Android FA1" is an electromechanical training device meant to replicate an opponent or training buddy for workouts and even sparring sessions.
"One major benefit is that the apparatus will assume various programmed positions while taking multiple punches until the fighter perfects the desired practice punching routine," said the company's Web site. "For example, a fighter may throw a jab at a selected area on the device as it moves from side-to-side and at the same time have to dodge a punch thrown by the sparring partner."
SDT's Web site says the invention is the result of 15 years of research and development by Luther Trawick, who spent years experimenting with his ideas in the garage of his home.