Philanthropy comes from two Greek words meaning "brotherly love" and "man." I was reflecting on how this brotherly love has been spreading with technology. For example, I received an email that was encased in a series of forwarded emails-like one of those Russian nesting dolls. Once I clicked down to the original message, I learned about additional uses of WD-40. Pigeon repellant, stain remover, and mirror defogger topped the list. This, my fellow reader, is philanthropy in action. As a business technology consultant I don't spend time researching alternate uses for household products. We can thank those in cyberspace who are devoted to applying proven research methods on such key topics.

On the Internet, one of my clients recently received an extra bonus gift. While downloading a software application from a web site, he unknowingly obtained another application that monitored his activities on the Internet. It helped other companies know which goods and services to offer him. Businesses began sending him email promotions for all sorts of pharmaceuticals and financial services. (He didn't even have to request being added to their mailing lists!) I understand some folks take a "no-nonsense" approach to eliminating this kind of "spyware," but that just blocks the love.

It's good to know philanthropy is going on worldwide. I am receiving regular emails from a Mr. Mundarabi in East Africa. He's asked me to be a paid custodian of several million dollars his deceased father left behind. (Apparently, his father was a high-ranking government official, but the funds must be transferred overseas to a secure bank in the United States.) As you may well assume, there's always plenty of red tape when dealing with international finance. That's why he needs my credit card information up-front to start the paperwork. Global philanthropy like this makes me want to hold hands and sing "It's a Small World."

I know of one company where every person was very busy-too busy to send an email message to each individual listed in their email program's address book. So, one of the employees opened an email attachment from a friend and presto, it was handled for them! A special little program-some disparagingly call them "viruses"- eliminated the arduous task of selecting an individual recipient, composing an email, and pressing the Send button. This little program took care of sending an email message to every employee, vendor, customer, agency, and organization in each employee's address book. True, the network administrator got a little upset-something about "crashing the email server." But, who doesn't love receiving mail!

Finally, I just left a website where I had the chance to win $2,000 instantly. Just think: before the advent of the Internet, we didn't have these kinds of easy opportunities. All I had to do—and this is how freely people want to give these days—is click on a dancing monkey in a little pop-up window. (The monkey wasn't even moving that quickly!) I chose not to exercise my primate-clicking prowess. I suppose my little daily act of random kindness was leaving the winning chance to my fellow man.

I'm still trying to track down the details on Mr. Mundarabi and his father's involvement in the government. Though I haven't found a hint of evidence, I'm not discouraged. I figure all the hush-hush is due to top-secret stuff. But don't worry, when I become wealthy from handling his investment, I'll be sure to pass along the brotherly love.in an email.

Tom Urbanowicz is the owner of DataDesignIT, helping businesses operate efficiently and communicate effectively. Tom can be reached at tom@datadesignit.com or at 530.513.1691.