FAQ 2
Zipped files

If you have been referred to this page, most likely you are:

1. a member of AOL
2. receiving zipped files
3. afraid of opening them
4. asking someone to stop sending them
To tell the truth, I would be afraid of opening them, too, especially with all those viruses loose in AOL and on the net. Let's review briefly what happens:
1. The poster sends a message to eGroups. In it is more than one picture file. Pictures can be either in-line (embeded with the text) or separately attached. It seems that fewer members have trouble wtih attached files, so that is recommended.

2. eGroups sends the message and pictures to AOL.

3. In its infinite wisdom AOL zips the the pictures together, so that is what an AOLer receives. There are utilities in AOL to unzip them, but I can't vouch for the security of any unzipping anywhere.

In any event the poster has no control over what is sent to the eGroup member. It's an all or nothing deal.

Now, the poster could send separate pictures, but that takes more time and more space everywhere and the entire membership is affected. If the poster chooses to send more than one picture with a message, at most 10% of the membership is affected: the AOL members.

What alternatives does an AOL member have when faced with zipped files:

1. He holds his breath and trusts his virus protection program when he unzips a file
2. Decides to screw the poster and not take a chance on unzipping
3. Bites the bullet and leaves AOL to find a general SP ( = service provider)
If any AOLer has another option, I would like to hear it and pass it on to the others.
 
 
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