Techguy
November 29, 2000, 10:26 am
Guinness voted on the facts -- and Melissa demanded a recount
Rob Rosenberger
REMEMBER THE OLD saying, "be careful what you wish for"?
The Guinness Book website lists ILoveYou as the most widespread virus of all time. But Guinness doesn't use metrics to gauge this world record!
The Guinness Book website now lists ILoveYou as the most widespread computer virus of all time. ("All time" being 14 years, of course.) They even proclaim it beat out Melissa for the title.
"Guinness World Records are governed by certain rules and regulations," their website declares. "There are general rules and regulations that apply to most records and specific conditions that apply to particular records." Indeed, I stressed this point in an editorial where I sarcastically wished for a Guinness record:
As you know, every "new record" undergoes an evaluation before it can replace a current record holder in the Guinness book. Record breakers must use metrics and must meet verification standards. No metrics, no verification, no Guinness record. When someone or something "breaks" a record, Guinness can describe the previous and current record with precision.
Which brings me to my point -- exactly what records did ILoveYou break? What were the exact previous records -- and what are the exact new records?
"Don't bother trying to come up with an answer," I concluded. "I asked a trick question." How can you declare a numeric world record with arbitrary data and no metrics?
Well, guess what? Guinness doesn't use metrics to gauge virus proliferation! I got exactly what I wished for.
I repeat: Guinness doesn't use metrics to gauge virus proliferation. "In order to verify the status of this type of record we obtain a minimum of three independent sources of reliable testimony." Translation: three or more guys voted on the facts. I demand a recount -- because at least one antivirus vendor (Trend Micro) served as an "independent" verification source.
Call me naïve, but I never expected the Guinness Book would pull numbers out of thin air. I mean, they don't even list a correct release date! (FYI: the Internet died on 4 May.) What a disappointment.
Serves me right. Next time I'll wish for an accurate world record.
--11/28/00
(source: vmyths.com)
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Rob Rosenberger
REMEMBER THE OLD saying, "be careful what you wish for"?
The Guinness Book website lists ILoveYou as the most widespread virus of all time. But Guinness doesn't use metrics to gauge this world record!
The Guinness Book website now lists ILoveYou as the most widespread computer virus of all time. ("All time" being 14 years, of course.) They even proclaim it beat out Melissa for the title.
"Guinness World Records are governed by certain rules and regulations," their website declares. "There are general rules and regulations that apply to most records and specific conditions that apply to particular records." Indeed, I stressed this point in an editorial where I sarcastically wished for a Guinness record:
As you know, every "new record" undergoes an evaluation before it can replace a current record holder in the Guinness book. Record breakers must use metrics and must meet verification standards. No metrics, no verification, no Guinness record. When someone or something "breaks" a record, Guinness can describe the previous and current record with precision.
Which brings me to my point -- exactly what records did ILoveYou break? What were the exact previous records -- and what are the exact new records?
"Don't bother trying to come up with an answer," I concluded. "I asked a trick question." How can you declare a numeric world record with arbitrary data and no metrics?
Well, guess what? Guinness doesn't use metrics to gauge virus proliferation! I got exactly what I wished for.
I repeat: Guinness doesn't use metrics to gauge virus proliferation. "In order to verify the status of this type of record we obtain a minimum of three independent sources of reliable testimony." Translation: three or more guys voted on the facts. I demand a recount -- because at least one antivirus vendor (Trend Micro) served as an "independent" verification source.
Call me naïve, but I never expected the Guinness Book would pull numbers out of thin air. I mean, they don't even list a correct release date! (FYI: the Internet died on 4 May.) What a disappointment.
Serves me right. Next time I'll wish for an accurate world record.
--11/28/00
(source: vmyths.com)
------------------
Thank you for using Help From Techs Support Forums!
Please come again and remember to refer a friend to our site.