Adrian Schofield, President of Information Industry South Africa, lashed out today at his peers and colleagues in the industry who perpetuate the distribution of hoax messages about viruses. "I have ceased to be amazed and have become angry at the number of people in senior positions who should know better," he said. "Far too often, my e-mail inbox is cluttered with dumb messages telling me to beware of the latest virus that will destroy my hard drive and assuring me that the notice was issued yesterday by Microsoft, IBM and the like."
Schofield says that the pattern of these hoax messages is so easy to recognise and believes that anyone with a reasonable knowledge of the IT industry would know that companies of the stature of those named in the messages would never resort to such a tactic to distribute real news.
"I appeal to everyone in the industry to apply the test of commonsense to these time- and money-wasting hoaxes before doing the dumb thing and sending them to everyone on their mailing list," Schofield concluded.
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Information Industry South Africa
Information Industry South Africa, an ICT umbrella body formed in October 1999, provides a co-ordinated forum for the industry to address issues of common interest and is an effective channel of communication with Government, particularly in relation to the issues of overlapping ICT related programmes and projects in the country. IISA promotes an understanding of the value that ICT can contribute to improving the quality of life of the South African population.
Information and communications technology specialists need a forum where regional, national and international information networks and associations can meet, exchange ideas and formulate common policies.
Although the members have different interests, all share the need for a healthy ICT industry in South Africa. Information Industry South Africa will provide the facilities to give a more streamlined network to develop resources, exchange accurate information, and improve the understanding of the various issues in the ICT industry.
Information Industry South Africa also works to attract international conferences and exhibitions to South Africa.
Member organisations of Information Industry South Africa:
The Black IT Forum (BITF)
The Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA)
The Electronic Commerce Association of South Africa (ECASA)
The Electronic Industries Federation (EIF)
The South African Value Added Networks Service Providers Association (SAVA)
The Local Office of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP)
CompTIA
The ISETT Sector Education & Training Authority
The IT Association (ITA) incorporating the IT Users Council (ITUC)
The National IT Forum (NITF)
The South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC)