MEMOIR2.CVP   920930
 
           Memoirs of a (cross-border) virus researcher
 
I suppose different people see me differently.  Some might only
notice my weekly columns.  Some might be more interested in the
antiviral contacts list, or the BBS list.  Some people definitely do
not like the quick reference list of antiviral software.  Many might
disagree, but I see the series of antiviral software reviews as my
most important contribution.
 
There isn't any budget for this.  I do not charge developers for
reviewing their products, and I don't (so far) receive any payment
from users.  However, the costs are not high.  Developers send free
copies of their product, and my only outlay is for the occasional
mailing to request antiviral materials, software and products.  Plus
my time.
 
At least, that's the theory.
 
Bear with me while I digress into politics for the moment.  Since I
started all this, the "Chin-That-Walks-Like-a-PM" has foisted upon
us something called the "Free Trade Agreement".  This is supposed to
make cross border dealing much easier.  In fact, just recently the
government has extended this deal to become the "North American Free
Trade Agreement", covering more ground, doncha know.  This means
that importing and customs are going to be much easier to deal with,
as well as cheaper.
 
At least, that's the theory.
 
So how come this has recently become so very much more difficult and
costly?
 
It used to be that my only worry was someone sending a package via
UPS.  (UPS seems to be congenitally unable to deal with national
boundaries.)  Most courier services seemed to be able to handle it,
although the good old national mail service was often the best bet. 
All the developer or publisher had to do was write "evaluation copy,
no commercial value" on the package, and all was well.  I got the
software, and the reviews went forth.  Then we got the GST, and in
spite of there being no commercial value a "service value" had to be
charged.  (What "service value"?  I'm the one providing the service
here, and *I'm* not charging anyone.)  So a fictional (low) service
value has to be put on it, generally reflecting the price of the
blank disks.
 
No longer.  I have here a package from a software developer.  Via US
Mail and then Canada Post.  He has been very careful.  The package
has a customs declaration.  The material is described as "two
diskettes and printed material".  It is described internally as an
"evaluation copy, not for resale or use".  A value of $2 is
declared.  I had to pay $7.98 to receive it.
 
$2.98 is the GST.  GST is seven percent.  Seven percent of $2 is
$0.14.  Ah, but the value for tax is not the $2 declared.  The value
for tax is $42.53.  Where did they get $42.53 from?  I have no idea.
 
Even so, there is still $5 unaccounted for.  Ah, no, here we are. 
$5 "handling fee".  "Handling fee?"  This is the *post office*! 
They are supposed to handle mail!  Or maybe it's the $2.98 GST that
they are charging $5 to handle.  In that case, I didn't ask them to
handle it.  If Revenue Canada wants them to handle the GST, let
Revenue Canada pay the $5 handling fee to collect the $2.98.  Or,
since the $2.98 is a result of "mishandling", the $0.14 that they
should be handling.
 
So much for "free trade".  But then, like the man said, be grateful
you don't get all the government you pay for.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1992   MEMOIR2.CVP   920930

==============                      
Vancouver      ROBERTS@decus.ca    | Nam tua res agitur, paries
Institute for  Robert_Slade@sfu.ca | cum proximus ardet.
Research into  rslade@cue.bc.ca    |    - For it is your
User           p1@CyberStore.ca    | business, when the wall
Security       Canada V7K 2G6      | next door catches fire.