The article in the Post on adware hit a nerve with me, since my computer has been buggered up by some nasty bits of it that completely screwed up my browser. I fixed that part of it and got Internet access again, only to find a new but definitely not improved toolbar. That led to a few hours going through all sorts of files with extensions I'd never heard of (.dll, .ico, .lnk) trying to weed out all the little extras that seem to have appeared as if by magic.

There are two bills before Congress to criminalize the practice. That's all well and good, but I can't see it being used much. How do you trace where the things come from? If it's anything like the spam I get (at least nine offers for various prescription medications just this weekend!), they originate outside the country. Good luck trying to prosecute. So while I applaud Congress for finding a non-controversial issue that allows them to connect with all their computer-using constituents, I don't think it's going to do much practical good.

No, I think a more effective solution could come from Bill Gates himself. The adware guys have been messing with his core business in a way that even EU lawsuits can't, so he should take action. Gates has been tossing lavish sums of money all over the world, since he's got more than he could ever spend for his own family. So I say he comes up with his own squad to track down the culprits and do a little persuading to make sure they see the error of their ways.

Preferably with a lead pipe, but any other blunt object will do.
  ¶ 22:18

  So I wasn't the only one who didn't make it all the way to the end.
  ¶ 07:54