[Asrg] Spam, why is it still a problem?

Or more to the point why are we letting it still be a problem?

On 24th January 2006 the Microsoft deadline for fixing spam will have 
passed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3426367.stm

and also mentioned here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/24/tech/main595595.shtml

Given that spam is still a problem, comprising about 90% of email and 
costing about $40 billion a year, why is it that there is so little 
visible progress on this list and generally regards implementing a 
solution that actually works and which can be easily accessed by the 
average Internet user? (and even better open source). Moreover why is 
there so little movement on canning spam at the source rather than 
allowing it to consume bandwidth until it reaches either someone's mail 
box or a filter?

I am wondering if anyone here can explain to the average Internet user

1. Why so little progress appears to be happening
2. What needs to happen for spam to be largely resolved as a problem
3. How far we are down this road and when we might expect a solution?

Comments welcome and I hope to publish a summary on my site here
http://www.siliconglen.com/spampetition/

Which mentions many of the technological advances on the Internet since 
the first spam in 1994 and asks if we can do all that, why is it taking 
12 years to address spam effectively?

Craig
-- 
Craig Cockburn ("coburn"). http://www.SiliconGlen.com/
Please sign the Spam Petition: http://www.siliconglen.com/spampetition/
Home to the first online guide to Scotland, founded 1994.
Scottish FAQ, weddings, website design, stop spam and more!

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