As I have reported previously on these pages, the internet can be a wonderful place for like-minded weirdos to meet, get to grips with the pressing issues of the time, network, solve problems and discuss whether Dr Who is in fact better than Star Trek. And even gain advice on their love life, should they happen to have one. But it can also be a place of danger, where like-minded nasty types can get together and share malicious code, buy and sell keylogging software and learn how to build bombs.

One of the arguments commonly made in defence of those dimwits who get fired from their jobs after slagging of their employer or doing something similarly controversial in their blogs, is that they underestimated the power of the world wide interweb. Hit the "post now" button and you are effectively broadcasting your opinion to the world, and don't think it will be lost in the ether. There are always people out there with far too much time on their hands and the power of search engines at their disposal to locate your words of wisdom: a publish and be damned attitude is likely to get you into a lot of trouble.

Unfortunately for John Jones, the dark side of the internet was revealed in all its seedy glory the other day when he was allegedly attacked by a bloke he met in a chat room. The two discussed Islam for a bit, exchanged insults and that was that, or so he thought. Oh no, one Peter Gibbons took offence, did his research (wonderful research tool the internet) and reportedly drove 70 miles to Jones's house to do him over with a pickaxe handle, as you do. Would have thought he'd have had time to cool down a bit during the several hours it took to get there, or indeed the several days it may have taken to locate Jones' address.

If you're wondering about the above picture by the way, that's what came up when I entered "internet chat room" into Google Images. Think they need to tweak their algorithms a bit.