When one installs a newsfeed reader, it often comes with a default set of newsfeeds already subscribed. As feed readers get integrated into operating systems (or should I say, operating environments), or begin to come pre-installed on computers, the opportunity arises to do some very good things using the default subscriptions. I have a dream that one day, every computer will come with a few important newsfeeds pre-subscribed.

Anti-SPAM:: Every computer should come pre-subscribed to a newsfeed that offers tips on avoiding SPAM and scammers. As new types of scams become common, the feeds could alert users to beware of their tactics.

Available patches: I've written before about how newsfeeds might be used to deliver software updates. Unless the system comes with some sort of updater system built in, it should at least have a system for notifying users of available patches. This should be done in a way that doesn't flood people with information about patches to software they don't have installed, whether by using separate feeds for different software, or some other method providing granularity.

Security tips: Not all security tips will fall under the umbrella of patches and SPAM, so a more general feed for these would be good.

Along with feeds like those listed above, the system could pick a few feeds for people based on some demographic or interests information they would be asked for upon first starting the computer. But not too many feeds should be subscribed to automatically. Otherwise, we'd run the risk that people would simply disable the feed reader completely, rather than unsubscribing to the feeds that don't interest them.

Computer and OS manufacturers should mirror the feeds they subscribe their customers to to minimize the bandwidth drain on the publishers. They might even be excused for injecting some minimal advertising in exchange for that service (though they ought to ask for permission first).

A system that, by default, teaches people good security practices a little at a time could go a long way toward hardening the great spamming and worming supercomputer that is the internet.