Now, granted, it helps if you know what you might be up against. You can’t just come right out and say “Are you a criminal?” or “Are you going to rip me off?”, but you can take an educated guess.

That’s what one Mike Nash did when he was connected by a Mr Robert Dutu.

Mr Robert Dutu:
Hello
How are you?
Am Robert Dutu
I have a very important business proposition for your consideration.

Please can we chat on it?

Mike Nash:
let me guess? You have millions of dollars you want to give me. But I won’t get it. Instead, you will rip me off with advanced fee fraud

Mr Robert Dutu:
you are right

Mike Nash:
Well, appreciate the honesty

Mr Robert Dutu:
you are welcome

pleasure chatting with you

(handshake)

Mike Nash:
Good luck in finding an idiot

Mr Robert Dutu:
thanks man

You see, Mike even finished with a civility. How lovely.

Right, I’m off to find some 419ers.

Via

I succumbed for a short while and used a crappy outdated version of Microsoft Office on an old iBook I’d inherited, but other than that I’m MS free.

I’m glad Microsoft shunned the Mac when it comes to browsers — the last version of Internet Explorer I used on a Mac was so appalling it made me cry.

Depending on what mood I’m in when people send me Excel and Word documents, I’ll either tell them to send a PDF or I’ll just open it up in Google Docs.

My Mac has no trace of Redmond-based trash on it, so why on earth would I want my iPhone littered with it?

OK, I did install Seadragon Mobile but, quite honestly… what the hell is all that about? Nice concept, maybe, but it never worked.

Microsoft has a grand total of two applications in the app store, and that’s a couple too many as far as I’m concerned.

Now there are rumours of Microsoft bringing MSN to the iPhone. (Yes, I know that article uses the word “confirmed” but it also uses the phrase “sources close to” which in my world means it’s still speculation)

That’s not all, either. A whole host of Windows Live apps could be winging their way to the iPhone in 2010.

Microsoft might herald the wonder of its Windows Mobile operating systems (of which there are two versions — typical Microsoft simplicity…) but it still wants a big slice of Apple pie.

If I really want to IM on MSN, I can use a third-party app. After all, “there’s an app for just about anything” — and it’s already been developed by someone who isn’t Microsoft.

Hey, I never said I hated Microsoft, OK? (I can tell you don’t believe me).

Anyway, do you let Microsoft near your Apple products?

The i-Knock B01 Personal Instant Messaging Notifier is one of those weird gadgets that actually looks good on your desk. This little gizmo is plugged into your PC’s USB port and whenever you receive an instant message or email, the little guy knocks his head with the hammer, lights up and blurts out some preselected phrases.

The i-Knock is compatible with many IM apps and also responds to over 20 different emoticons. The manufacturer of this cool gizmo is Stysen.