In the days before it was called The Internet
Back to 1986... and as our school VIth form was close to Rutherford Labs they had installed various spare kit in the local schools to connect us up to a network between the schools. It did have some strange way to get through to JANET which was later to become part of the Internet... so this almost counts.

We had dumb terminals linked up to a PR1ME mainframe. We were supposed to be learning FORTRAN and using the line graphics programs. But instead we found the email and chat clients. Which meant for perfect cases of winding up other local schools.

Only the computer course had access to the computers, and for some reason Clare became really popular with some of the Boys schools with access to the computers elsewhere in the county.

So when in 1987 the next year's course started, six foot tall blond Stacy became just as popular. Only thing is, Stacy wasn't being exactly honest online when chatting up Andy at the local Boys School. Andy had not realised that Stacy was the male spelling. Our Stacy was a rugby playing male. But Andy was in love with this dream of woman of his dreams.

Of course, we let a couple of his "mates" know the truth. So they reinforced the lie by claiming to have met "Stacy". This leads to Andy taking two buses one lunch time to cover the 15 miles between the schools. Stacy met Andy from the bus. For some reason Andy ran away.

Before the Internet was even off the ground, we had worked out not only how to waste lots of time, but to lie about ASL for quality wind-ups. Of course you can trust the person you are talking to online. Nothing changes.
( Batter Pudding Hurler is a figment of your imagination, Fri 23 Mar 2012, 0:14, Reply)