Waaay back in 2003, I set a task for myself in my belief that everything should fight for its existence:

In the long term, in 2007, I want to put Vmyths on trial for its life. Too many things exist when they [no longer have a] reason to exist… What if computer security hysteria drops to a manageable state by 2007? Or what if a young upstart website defeats hysteria much better than we do? Could the world live without Vmyths?

Okay, so the trial started a year late. In my defense: I suffered a lot of grief after my wife died. So anyway…

Vmyths grew famous in its day for its reference materials, analyses, and attitude. But let’s face it: Wikipedia and the antivirus vendors now offer a plethora of great reference material for hoax computer virus alerts like “JDBGMGR” and “SULFNBK.” I see this as a good thing — dozens of interested people can collectively write more content for Wikipedia than one widower can write for Vmyths.

Conversely, Wikipedia needs authoritative sources of information. Even if Vmyths dumps the reference materials, this site’s topical analyses of computer security hysteria will help Wikipedia to achieve its lofty goals.

The court will now render its decision.

Vmyths will drop its aging reference material on old security hoaxes. We’ll focus on topical issues in computer security hysteria and link to other experts’ reference material whenever needed.

I’ll again put Vmyths on trial for its life in 2013, if not sooner. Bailiff, where’s my gavel? (Oh, never mind.) “Court is adjourned.”

• By Gsparky, 24 August 2008 @ 8:19 pm

  Rob,

  Been hoping you’d return. My condolences on your wife. I’m very glad you’re back!
• By gordonf, 1 September 2008 @ 4:38 pm

  Vmyths was better for its commentary since 2001 than it was for its database of hoaxes. This step in evolution makes good sense.

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