Mandel@BCO-MULTICS.ARPA (Mark Mandel) (08/08/88)
Clint Fleckenstein and Joe Craparotta have been arguing over whether
Clint did or did not accuse "Tom E. Hawk" of writing a virus program.
According to Joe's quotation of Clint's post, the crucial phrase is
> supposedly written by Tom E. Hawk
It's unclear whether Clint is applying this phrase to CyberAIDS or the
bogus virus eliminator (Joe seems unaware of this ambiguity), but the
word "supposedly" makes it plain that Clint is *not* claiming that Tom
E. Hawk is actually responsible for either of these programs. Freeware
and viruses are like rumors: almost impossible to trace back to their
true sources. I don't know Clint's basis for this "supposition", but
his use of the qualifier, "supposedly", implies that
(a) he has received some indication that Tom E. Hawk is responsible,
and
(b) he is unsure about how reliable that indication is.
Look at the text, Joe. I have to agree with Brian Fox here. Read the
English language and understand what's written in it.
-- Mark Mandel
* My employer is not responsible for anything I say, think, do, or eat. *