"Spim" is Latest Online Annoyance

Pcol writes "The Washington Post reports that 'Spim,' as people are beginning to call unsolicited instant messages, is the latest sign that online marketers will seek to take advantage of other communication tools, not limiting themselves to spam or pop-up ads. The good news is that it's not easy for spimmers to send unsolicited instant messages. Instant message providers like AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo have a lot of control over their instant message networks, and since they look at their IM offerings as gateway services that help draw customers in to their paid Internet offerings, these firms are already committing resources to making sure the spim problem never reaches the same scale as spam." Even without the providers assistance, many people who use IM systems are smart enough to limit incoming messages to those from their buddy lists. Still, there must be enough of a success rate to move spimmers to continue messaging users.

Comments

SPIM

[kelceylehrich]

But there isn't a hated semi-meat food called spim. The cultural connotation won't be enough for people to hate it. We should call it pork-rhinds.

Re:SPIM

[DrEldarion]

I worked at a grocery store for 7 years, and I can tell you that neither spam nor pork-rinds were hated. You'd be VERY surprised at how often they both went through the line. These weren't people who could only afford spam, either, this was in upper-middle-class suburbia.

Spim? spim! where's the monty python refreence

[JamesD_UK]

Well, there's AOL messenger and Yahoo! messenger; AOL messenger MSN messenger and Yahoo! messenger; AOL messenger and spim; AOL messenger Yahoo! messenger and spim; AOL messenger Yahoo! messenger MSN messenger and spim; spim Yahoo! messenger MSN messenger and spim; spim AOL messenger spim spim Yahoo! messenger and spim; spim MSN messenger spim spim Yahoo! messenger spim tomato and spim; spim spim spim AOL messenger and spim; spim spim spim spim spim spim baked IRC spim spim spim......or Lobster Thermidor a Crevette with a mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy and with a fried AOL messenger on top and spim...... Well, there's spim AOL messenger MSN messenger and spim, that's not got much spim in it.

I don't want ANY spim! Seriously though, since when was this news? I remember receiving spam^H^Him years ago in ICQ.

Other unwanted forms of avertising

[dgenr8]

SHAM = Commercial messages delivered via amateur radio
SPANK = Commercial TV in the classroom
SPUD = Commercial crop circles, especially in potato fields
SPELUNK = Advertisements on cave walls

You forgot . . . .

[Anonymous Poodle]

SPUNK = Pr()n ads

Damn!, I thought she was realy interested in me

[thbigr]

I thought here invitation to check out here personal web site was a big come one. Sure the request for a Visa card seemed kind of strange, but then other girl friends I have had ask for my Visa card.

Hmmmm....

SCO says SPIM is a derivative work...

[Proudrooster]

Today SCO announced the SPIM is a derivative work using the login that they SPIM begins with the letter 'S' (just like SCO). Darl McBride CEO of SCO announce that they would not take this lightly and were planning on sending threatening letters to anyone who sends or receives SPIM and to anyone with a name that begins with 'S'.

Boycott SCO and SPIM!

SPIM?!

[ndogg]

I know that MIPS assembly can be tough to learn, but never thought CS students would ever get to the point of annoying people on the internet with it...

Oh, err, nevermind...