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TNT-6
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Joined: 30 Apr 2005
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 Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:31 pm Post subject: Spywaredefense.com? |
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| Just found this; this is not on the "rogue" list. Anyone verified this piece yet? They have their own trial at http://www.spywaredefense.com/scan/ |
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TNT-6
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Joined: 30 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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Well, jeez... hello... is there anybody out there?  |
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mikey
Malware Expert
Joined: 12 Feb 2004
Last Visit: 03 Sep 2012
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Location: CenTex
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| TNT-6 wrote: |
| Well, jeez... hello... is there anybody out there? |
Nope. Nobody out here.
Folks around here generally have plenty to do.
You only posted less than 24 hrs ago.
If you're in a hurry to talk about it, why don't you try digging up all the info about them and make a personal eval of the product yourself.
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TNT-6
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Joined: 30 Apr 2005
Last Visit: 02 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| mikey wrote: |
| TNT-6 wrote: |
| Well, jeez... hello... is there anybody out there? |
Nope. Nobody out here.
Folks around here generally have plenty to do.
You only posted less than 24 hrs ago.
If you're in a hurry to talk about it, why don't you try digging up all the info about them and make a personal eval of the product yourself. |
Since you have plenty to do, next time save yourself the trouble of posting this kind of answer. Have a nice day. |
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suzi
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Joined: 27 Jul 2003
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Location: sunny California
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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As best I remember, Eric Howes did test this but did not put it on the rogues page. That's all I know, however.
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Oldfrog
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Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Last Visit: 09 Feb 2013
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Location: Hewitt, TX
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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I started looking at this this morning didn't really see anything to impress me. I could never get the online free scan to work even with very relaxed ActivX settings so decided to download it and try it. Two downloads later I had two zero-byte .exe files. If they offered a free trial I would have downloaded that but they don't. If you want to try you have to buy and that is $29.95 with a 15 day money back guarantee. No thanks.
Something else came up more important so I never did get around to chasing down all the whois info for the domains or Googling both product and company names. I did learn that the host server is in the USA while the nameservers are in Hong Kong. |
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TNT-6
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Joined: 30 Apr 2005
Last Visit: 02 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 6:11 pm Post subject: Thanks |
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| suzi wrote: |
| As best I remember, Eric Howes did test this but did not put it on the rogues page. That's all I know, however. |
Thank you.
I saw there is no mention of it on the page (not even in the "Not On the List" section). And yes, I would test it myself, but at the most I can test it only for false positives, as right now I do not have a Windows test machine avaliable to be infected and verify this program's detection rate (nor I do own VMWare).
Anyway, should I contact Eric Howes about this? |
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TNT-6
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Joined: 30 Apr 2005
Last Visit: 02 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Oldfrog wrote: |
| I started looking at this this morning didn't really see anything to impress me. I could never get the online free scan to work even with very relaxed ActivX settings so decided to download it and try it. Two downloads later I had two zero-byte .exe files. If they offered a free trial I would have downloaded that but they don't. If you want to try you have to buy and that is $29.95 with a 15 day money back guarantee. No thanks. |
Uhm... two zero bytes "exe" files meaning that you couldn't get to download the installation software? I just tried... it's a 1.67 Mb SpywareDefenseScanner.exe and I downloaded it without any problem from this link http://www.spywaredefense.com/scan/?scanner=download |
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Oldfrog
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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And this now makes 3. I mean, that it goes through the motions of downloading and leaves a file by that name on the system which is totally empty. I may try on another system tomorrow but don't really see too much point.
If you look at their website it is short on any kind of detail about the product and nothing really about the company although the Affiliate tab is certainly prominent.
Here is the whois on the domain:
| Quote: |
Domain spywaredefense.com:
Ashantiplc Limited
Room 1204, 12/F, Shanghai Ind. Investment Building
Hong Kong, HK 00000 HK
Administrative contact:
Technical contact:
Billing contact:
Ashantiplc Limited
Domain Administrator
********@ashantiplc.com
Room 1204, 12/F, Shanghai Ind. Investment Building
Hong Kong, HK 00000 HK
Phone: +852.28511478
Fax:
Record dates:
Record created on: 2004-01-05 22:00:31 PDT (0)
Record modified on: 2004-12-12 19:57:46 PDT (0)
Record expires on: 2006-01-05 PDT (0)
Nameservers:
ns.ashantiplc.com:
64.246.44.151
ns2.ashantiplc.com:
64.246.44.92 |
The only thing that I could come up with on Google were a page and a half of vendor descriptions and press releases.
Why not go ahead and test it for FPs? If you get a bunch then you would know. |
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TNT-6
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Joined: 30 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:46 am Post subject: |
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| Oldfrog wrote: |
| And this now makes 3. I mean, that it goes through the motions of downloading and leaves a file by that name on the system which is totally empty. |
I checked. For some reason the download link does not work with IE. 
It does work in Firefox, or Opera, or Lynx. |
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Oldfrog
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:13 am Post subject: |
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I tried once in IE and twice in Firefox and got the same result each time. Did you by any chance try doing the scan directly from the site? That is an ActivX app so would have to be done from either IE of from FF using an ActivX plugin.
Also curious, you seem to be really interested in this. Is that simple curiousity or are you really thinking about buying it? |
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TNT-6
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Joined: 30 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:28 am Post subject: |
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| Oldfrog wrote: |
I tried once in IE and twice in Firefox and got the same result each time. Did you by any chance try doing the scan directly from the site? That is an ActivX app so would have to be done from either IE of from FF using an ActivX plugin.
Also curious, you seem to be really interested in this. Is that simple curiousity or are you really thinking about buying it? |
NO, it's not an ActiveX, it's an .exe file and I can download it without problems.
I have not tried the ActiveX version but it prompts for the dowload as well... so either your computer is messed up for good or something blocks you from downloading at some other level. So you'd better find out what's wrong with your computer first. Sorry if I sound harsh, but that's how it is.
As for being interested, no, I am not interested in buying it OR even trying it for that matter. I am fairly well protected, thanks. I thought I might find some other people trying to spot untrustworthy "security" software on these boards. Alas, I was wrong. |
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Oldfrog
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:58 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| So you'd better find out what's wrong with your computer first. Sorry if I sound harsh, but that's how it is. |
Since this is the only thing that I have not been able to download I am really not too worried about it.
| Quote: |
| I thought I might find some other people trying to spot untrustworthy "security" software on these boards. Alas, I was wrong. |
Hmm. Not real sure what you were wanting us to do. Based on what I found and reported earlier I would not recommend it to others or trust it myself. Without actually testing it I couldn't state flat out that it is a scam or rogue app either. The download, btw, would not be enough to perform a definitive test with anyway. About all it would be good for is a quick opinion. |
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eburger68
SWW Distinguished Expert
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Last Visit: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 575
Location: Clearwater, FL
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:24 am Post subject: |
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TNT-6:
I took a preliminary look at this program not too long ago. Based on new data that a user submitted, I will be re-testing this program in the next few days.
Best,
Eric L. Howes |
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aquias
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Joined: 26 Jul 2005
Last Visit: 15 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:59 am Post subject: I know...I'm new! |
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I know, I'm one of the "newer" guys around here and probably should keep my trap shut. But...as I get older, I seem to be losing that ability (to much drinking I suspect).
TNT,
You seem knowledgable and pretty energetic/interested in security. Both of these are good things and, quite frankly, things that the internet needs more of at this point in time.
However, being overly aggresive to get your point across turns many people off to what you have to say. Understand that very very few of us have the time to dedicate to continously read, understand, and test out new finds. These are things done at a "as soon as I have some time".
For me? That means after work, friends, and family I sit down to look at and test applications. Time that it translates to monthly (not including posting general support), maybe five hours.
What I'm saying is...give people time and don't assume what people's intentions are. Just relax and people will respond as able and offer advice/support. |
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mikey
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Location: CenTex
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Nemesis6
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Joined: 03 Oct 2004
Last Visit: 30 Apr 2008
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Location: Copenhagen, Denmark.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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| mikey wrote: |
| http://www.voiceofthepublic.com/SDS/SDS.html |
Ouch... I'm convinced if that data is legit: On the list with this one.
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mikey
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Location: CenTex
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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A google for ASHANTIPLC LTD finds many sites that appear less than worthy.
The quality and presentation of this product reminds me of our friend Ash1ey. Tho the files are definitely not the same this time.
Anyone got a handle on this ASHANTIPLC LTD?
_________________
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W2K/2K3/XP/2K8/Vista/W7/RHE/DEBIAN/SUSE
Spyware/Adware is NOT freeware, it costs all of us dearly.
Mikey's Stuff
Fiddler and friends...essential web diagnostic, forensic, & development tools.
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suzi
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thejynxed
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Joined: 09 Nov 2004
Last Visit: 14 Oct 2007
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Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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If you think the Google results are shady, try a Yahoo search on them once. They are linked to so many dubious sites I lost count after page 8 in the results.
Sites like sexissues.com (an adult site) come up in relation to them. This may just be keyword stuffing by said adult sites however. Then again, I used the exact phrase "Ashantiplc Ltd." so who knows.
I know for certain many antispyware sites of questionable nature appear in the search results of Yahoo and other search engines when the term "Ashantiplc Ltd." is used.
I would never use them personally because their privacy policy and license agreement are sub-par to be polite.
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eburger68
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Last Visit: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 575
Location: Clearwater, FL
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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Hi All:
I finally got around to testing version 1.4, which is different from the version 1.0 that I originally tested. Based on the scan results, Spyware Defense has been added to the Rogue/Suspect page.
Also added is WinAntiSpyware 2005, from the same folks who brought you WinFixer and WinAntivirus 2005.
Best,
Eric L. Howes |
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mikey
Malware Expert
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Last Visit: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 1061
Location: CenTex
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| Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 7:03 am Post subject: Re: I know...I'm new! |
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| aquias wrote: |
I know, I'm one of the "newer" guys around here and probably should keep my trap shut. But...as I get older, I seem to be losing that ability (to much drinking I suspect).
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After rereading that, I felt like a comment;
Well, I don't drink much anymore(liver) but I can definitely relate to what you said. There was actually a time when I had some tact...long ago.
Thx for looking at it, Eric.
_________________
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W2K/2K3/XP/2K8/Vista/W7/RHE/DEBIAN/SUSE
Spyware/Adware is NOT freeware, it costs all of us dearly.
Mikey's Stuff
Fiddler and friends...essential web diagnostic, forensic, & development tools.
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suzi
Site Admin
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Last Visit: 21 May 2013
Posts: 10271
Location: sunny California
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| Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:02 am Post subject: |
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They own sexissues.com, too:
http://www.whois.sc/sexissues.com
_________________
Former Microsoft MVP 2005-2009, Consumer Security
Please do not PM or Email me for personal support. Post in the Forums instead and we will all learn. |
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JamesP
Newbie
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
Last Visit: 15 Sep 2005
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:32 pm Post subject: Unfair. |
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| eburger68 wrote: |
Hi All:
I finally got around to testing version 1.4, which is different from the version 1.0 that I originally tested. Based on the scan results, Spyware Defense has been added to the Rogue/Suspect page.
Also added is WinAntiSpyware 2005, from the same folks who brought you WinFixer and WinAntivirus 2005.
Best,
Eric L. Howes |
Hi,
Let me introduce myself. I'm James. I'm U.S. representative for Spyware Defense from Ashantiplc Ltd.
We have been working hard for over a year to develop SpywareDefense application. The insinuation that it is a rouge software is not fair.
We are trying our best to write good software, this kind of chat doesn't do any good.
I will give you the option to try out our full version of the software. Just email[info at spywaredefense dot com] or PM me.
We asked NetworkWorld.com to test our software as well, Look at the results here:
http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2005/091205-spyware-test.html
We didn't beat the competetion this time, but our next version will compete more effectively.
Hope you will take my message into consideration in your future testing.
Peter. |
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eburger68
SWW Distinguished Expert
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Last Visit: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 575
Location: Clearwater, FL
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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James:
Thanks for posting here. The biggest problem that we encountered with your company's product was ridiculous false positives, some of which you can see on in the screenshots on this page:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/orphans_outcasts.htm
The most likely cause of those kinds of false positives is a poor scan/detection scheme possibly combined with suspect data. Indeed, the NetworkWorld review seems to point in this direction ( http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2005/091205-spyware-test.html?page=2 ):
| Quote: |
| SpywareDefense identifies spyware by file name, directory path or wild-card filename mask. |
That kind of detection scheme is guaranteed to produce loads of false positives.
When you have a significantly overhauled new version of the application, we would be happy to test it.
Regards,
Eric L. Howes |
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JamesP
Newbie
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
Last Visit: 15 Sep 2005
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:29 am Post subject: |
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| eburger68 wrote: |
James:
Thanks for posting here. The biggest problem that we encountered with your company's product was ridiculous false positives, some of which you can see on in the screenshots on this page:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/orphans_outcasts.htm
The most likely cause of those kinds of false positives is a poor scan/detection scheme possibly combined with suspect data. Indeed, the NetworkWorld review seems to point in this direction ( http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2005/091205-spyware-test.html?page=2 ):
| Quote: |
| SpywareDefense identifies spyware by file name, directory path or wild-card filename mask. |
That kind of detection scheme is guaranteed to produce loads of false positives.
When you have a significantly overhauled new version of the application, we would be happy to test it.
Regards,
Eric L. Howes |
Hi Eric,
Yes, we got good feed back from the Network World testing. We are currently working to improve the checking methodology. I will post a message here once we have the new version.
Appreciate your time and effort.
James. |
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