From March through May 2006, your webmaster's computer suffered a series of malfunctions. Simultaneously a barrage of offensive spam and junk postings appeared on the discussion board. It is not possible to maintain cordial dialogue online with such garbage flowing in underfoot. The volume of spam outstripped our ability to cope with it, and as of September 7, 2006, our discussion board was suspended indefinitely, perhaps terminally.

We're exploring switching to a more protected blog or forum format so that the communications feature of our website will again be operational. Your suggestions and recommendations will be appreciated.

We value open dialogue and freedom of speech, the unfettered exchange of ideas as a hallmark of civilization and a free society. But spam is not communication; it is trash strewn about by trespassers on our livingroom floor.

Although their actions spoil things for others, perhaps they also stimulate the improvement of countermeasures. Spammers are rude, thoughtless and perversely clever. Whether they should be labeled criminal as well is open to debate. As long as their actions cause only annoyance, not physical harm to individuals, they are just ego-driven pranksters.

Is the adversity they create a necessity for the evolution of our knowledge and techniques? Are they helping to build the Internet's immune system? History will tell.

In the meanwhile, let's keep our conversations going by whatever means are at hand, via email and notices I can post here and on our What's New page. Someday we hope again to have an open forum of real people.

Gamely yours,

Kate Jones
kadon@gamepuzzles.com