454 DEAR HACKER

454 DEAR HACKER

Dear 2600:

I just had an amusing experience that I’d like to share with my fellow 2600 readers.

I had just read the article in the Autumn 1994 issue by Toxic Avenger (which was very good by the way) about using a Hallmark card to build a $10 red box. I figured, 10 bucks, what the hell, and decided to build one. I was in Radio Shack buying a Modular Wall Plate for something else and noticed a Hallmark shop. I decided to get the card while I was there. I brought the card up to the counter to pay for it and put the Radio Shack bag on the counter next to it while I got out my money. The lady at the counter saw the card and the Radio Shack bag and got this sour look on her face. She then proceeded to ask if she could see what was in the bag (like she’d have a clue of what to look for). I asked her why, then it dawned on me what was going on. She mumbled something about store policy and I told her that all I wanted was to buy this card, not to get a critique of my electronics buying habits. She promptly got “The Manager.” I asked why there was a problem and his explanation was that some “kids” were using these cards for illegal purposes and they were just acting in the public interest. Since I didn’t have all day to waste (and the people waiting behind me were getting restless), I showed him what was in the bag, bought the card, and was on my way. Actually, it was pretty funny because since I wasn’t going to mail the card, I almost forgot to grab the envelope that goes with it!

Helpful Hint: Never bring a Radio Shack bag into a Hallmark shop and don’t forget the envelope for the card!

Mr. Hallmark Rochester, NY

We suggest that all of our readers bring Radio Shack bags into Hallmark shops and cause a holy scene if anyone pulls that kind of garbage. Last we checked, people still had the right to buy products of their choice without harassment. (Be sure to bring your 2600 shirt to the fun.)

A C U LT U R E O F R E B E L S

Dear 2600: My friend told me about you guys and what you do, so I’m taking the

time to write you an article about a hacking experience of mine. On May 2, 1992, I was using my modem to transfer files to my work.

After I was done, I decided to check out a bulletin board I had heard about a long time ago from a friend.

As I dialed the number, I mistakenly mistyped the number. But in- stead of a NO CARRIER message, I got an answer. It was one of those host programs on a remote computer. I decided to see what I could access, so I looked further into the system.

By some accident, I was given access to the system’s hard drive. I first erased all contents of the hard drive and then inserted a virus called Mr. X.

Mr. X simply formats the hard drive, causing the unit to become use- less. After that, I left the system.