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University Of Calgary To Offer Course On Spam

Posted by timothy on from the tastes-like-long-pig-or-short-moose dept.

jrcsnet writes "CBC is reporting that the University of Calgary is going to be adding yet another controversial course (The first, on computer viruses, was covered on Slashdot a while back). According to the article, 'Students will be taught how to write programs that create e-mail spam as well as spy software.' While there must be some benefit for everyone else by creating programs to work against these nuisances, is it worth the risk to the rest of us or even to the potential careers of the graduates of the course?"

17 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. Suspects by fembots · · Score: 5, Funny

    One day when spam is truly prosecutable, these graduates might find themselves the first to be questioned :)

    What's next? A course on editing child porn photos digitally?

    --
    Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
  2. Sweet by terminalrecluse · · Score: 2, Funny

    I say we just nuke every spammer we find.

  3. Alberta by Sophrosyne · · Score: 4, Funny

    For you Americans... Alberta is basically all of your middle states combined. Lots of Right-Wing rednecks with oil.

    1. Re:Alberta by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      It's all relative though. Compared to the states, we're left winged communists. Compared to Ottawa, we're facists.

    2. Re:Alberta by Stephen+Samuel · · Score: 2, Funny
      actually I can't even think of one person I know who is a conservative.

      As a former Edmontonian now living in Vancouver, I can only come up with one explanation:
      All things are relative. If you can't think of anybody in Edmonton who you'd consider a conservative then chances are that you're waaay out there.
      To make things less ambiguous, the 'is' after 'myself' should be after 'everyone'

      --
      Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.
  4. No Tuition Worries! by codesurfer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fantastic...a curriculum has finally been designed that will allow students to pay their own way through university, creating and running spam generators!

    It's things like this that keep the word 'almost' in my motto 'I'm almost always proud to be Canadian'.

  5. Greed by mboverload · · Score: 1, Funny

    Are the administrators there stupid, or just REALLY that greedy?

  6. Next up... by wasted · · Score: 5, Funny

    What's next? A course on editing child porn photos digitally?

    Next are courses on Recreational Pharmaceutical Agriculture, Distribution, and Marketing.

    1. Re:Next up... by MarkRose · · Score: 3, Funny

      They already teach that in highschools in BC though. I used to live there... a quarter of my school was growing it.

      --
      Be relentless!
    2. Re:Next up... by wasted · · Score: 2, Funny

      Sounds like your high-school had a good college-prep program.

    3. Re:Next up... by tomhudson · · Score: 4, Funny
      What good is a diploma that reads:
      Th13 diP10M4 c-e-r-t-i-f-i-e-s - FREE V14GRA
      - that John Q Public has completed - penis enlarger -
      the course of - online pharmacy - studies
      offered by - Mr Mbotu of Nigerian Oil Minestry - the University of Calgary
      in - get your software 80% off now - spam technology
      4 hot housewives are waiting for you click here
  7. Uh Oh. by Alien+Venom · · Score: 4, Funny

    From: http://www.ucalgary.ca/it/self_help/email/spam/

    "The University of Calgary's Computing Policy prohibits U of C users from spamming others. If you receive spam that originated at the University of Calgary, please report it to abuse@ucalgary.ca."

    I wonder if someone should inform the IT department.

  8. required classes by same_old_story · · Score: 5, Funny

    win32Api I and win32api II

  9. Re:Off Topic by BoomerSooner · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why do rednecks and oil == right wing? Stupidity? I'm one of 6 liberals in my state (full of rednecks, oil, stupidity & republicans). How the hell did we ever get a democrat for a governor? Oh yeah you need to add football to the list if Barry Switzer (former OU Football Coach) endorses you, you'll have a better chance of winning. The funny thing is our governor beat a football star (and right-wing dipshit) Steve Largent. Wonders will never cease.

  10. Ways to increase enrollment by chia_monkey · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hmmm...I guess the university simply spams people saying "enroll for our spamming class". Who else would want to sign up? Oh the cruel irony...

    --

    "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts...for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang
  11. Where can I sign up? by gearmonger · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is there a mailing list somewhere??

  12. Try putting that on your CV by bobbagum · · Score: 3, Funny

    What skills have you got?

    ...Spam