Introspect: The Past (the 80's)

Being a product of the 70's and living most of my teenage years through the 80's I believe I have grown up through a truly unique time. I had computers, but I didn't have an internet. I had computers, but I didn't have storage space. Computers were in such an infantile stage for the young it was a new outlet of expression. Much like a skateboard I used a computer like it was an extension of my body. I used it more than I used a car or any other machine in that time period. The movie "War Games" I think inspired many people my age (although few will admit it). Many kids my age really wanted to hack into different things and gain control. We in a way forged the new security systems of today. I personally remember obtaining illegal access to long distance codes to "Download Games" which topped the scales at 360K. These games were located in every state but mine. Each game holding my interest for at least 10 or 15 minutes before I had to get back online and download a new one. Years later when I told my parents of the things I did when I was much younger some of which they could not believe. I told them there were times where I truly expected the cops to come banging on the door. Things brings up a good story of the time. A few of my friends decided that because someone would not share their warez with us we would play a trick. I had a deeper voice at the time so we called this kid up and I played a "FBI" agent and talked to this kid for about 20 minutes and told him we'd be at his house the following day to go over it with his parents. He ended up burying his software in his back yard. Of course the FBI never showed but we had a good laugh. Another great story of the time ( or at least one I found amusing ) was a store called "Digital World" run by some middle eastern family had what we thought was really over priced merchandise. Come to think of it we had no idea what a "good deal" was at the time but it was more than we could afford. Having a Commodore 64 computer (with GREAT sound at the time. SID chips rocked!) we also had the "Commodore 64" music which we could play with the old SYS49152 command. This played really good music which was comparable to some cheeky music you hear on commercials. A tape recorder later and we had our own marketing plan! We said "You've been chosen to get a free commodore 64 computer from Digital World". "Call now and you can claim your free computer. " we also gave the phone number. We would call random people and then play the tape. We would then call the store (which only had one phone line) to see if it was busy about 2 minutes later. We laughed every time knowing that the guy on the other end of the phone was trying to explain that they weren't giving away a computer and really confused on who would do that. Come to think of it, who would do something like that? It was funny as hell at the time. Kids today will never really experience the feeling of connecting to a BBS or having a speed dialer call a BBS just to get one of 2 open lines. They will never see the modem response codes of "CONNECT 2400" and thinking this is the fastest ever! They will never see NO CARRIER at the end of every call to a BBS. These things of the past were special to me but all but lost in time as many things are.

#13 - Remember you have a unique past.

Remember that you always have a unique past. Your past is not like your mother or fathers, and theirs was not like yours. Perspectives change, and change is good. Remember your past and try to pass it onto the future so they can learn from the things you have done.

Poor Product Placement

Well this one is a good one.  I'm working away when I get a pop up about a "High speed train de-railment" from MSN.  Upon clicking the link I see the following page.   This might not seem like much by itself but you may want to pay close attention to the advertisement in the center of the page.  When I first saw it I thought it was a "in train view" of the accident.  advertisement.gif

Unsecure Networks

Frankly it is amazing how many unsecure networks there are available.  With WIFI and the ability to have an 802.11b or G netowork you would think that people would think security as an issue.  As I sit in a nearby park and write this entry I'm surfing on somones bandwith.  A quick look on the microsoft network shows no other systems under netbios running which means that their computer is probably off.  The router is just sitting there waiting with an open an available netowork.
 
I truly wonder how T-Moble and starbucks are going to make money on their WIFI spots when you can simply drive around a neighborhood and get to a wireless network. 

#12 - Know when you're doing something wrong

It is a fine art to know when you have done something wrong. It is important to realize that and to accept it. Move on after this don't dwell on it. This is an important lesson to learn but a hard one to follow.