Network: Inbox - Junk e-mailers, yes, but not spammers

Sirs,

Re: Bytes (Network+, 13 January), I am becoming increasingly concerned at the runaway use of the words spamming and spammers to denote "criminal" activities on the Internet.

There are no such words in any dictionary and they will only become accepted computer terms if the media, both general and computer, continue to use them.

I consider their general use is likely to cause damage to me and my family's affairs, both personal and business, because of their similarity to our name, particularly in view of the fact that a number of my family members are involved in the information technology business.

I give you fair warning to stop using the words forthwith. There are perfectly suitable terms to describe the activities of these people and they are "junk e-mailers/bulk e-mailers".

Keith Spamer

KSPAMER@AOL.com