The Truth Behind Famous Technology Myths
Here's the scoop on widespread fables about the MacTablet, Bill Gates, the iPhone kill switch, Internet2, Al Gore and more.
Forwarding an e-mail has rewards of some kind
I get forwarded e-mails almost every day. "Pass this on to save the whales," says one. "Send this to 100 people you know and win $100," says another.
Despite the rather obvious fact that no ISP could ever track e-mail forwarding from one user to another (partly for privacy reasons, partly for the sheer magnitude of collecting the data) and the fact that e-mail does not, in a technical sense, send forwarding data to any separate company -- even Microsoft -- this myth lives on. There's a mystical nature to chain mail, but one that is not founded on any legitimate dogmas.
Al Gore said he invented the Internet
Here's the most famous rumor of them all.
In truth, Al Gore never said he invented the Internet.
What he did say was something to the effect that he encouraged legislation that helped build the foundation of the Internet, as did many other politicians back in the day.
If you have your own favorite tech myth that we missed, send a note to David Ramel and we may include it in a future compilation of reader favorites.
John Brandon is a freelance writer and book author who worked as an IT manager for 10 years.
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