Okay, here is an obscure question.
I no longer have an Apple II, unfortunatly, but I have a nagging memory - or you may call it an obsession over a memory. When I was in 6th grade (I'm 23 now), I was bored and was sitting at the computer and began turning the power switch on and off. After a few times the screen displayed code. It wasn't programming code as far as I know, but code none the less. After displaying a line of code, the computer had an input line with the blinking promt cursor. After playing around with it by pressing random characters I got it to display more code (for some reason I remember pressing the letter "B" alot - backed up with diffrent random numbers like "B12" or "B23"). Then, after serval hours, days, and weeks of playing with this mysterious code, the screen cleared and then displayed in the middle of the screen "IOU". I stared at it for a while and pressed the "Return" key (I think "Return" is the right name - Ha! -it's been too long). The code looked the same. I think after that and I just continued the same as I did before(pressing random characters) - a few hours after this though the font reduced in size and instead of lines of code, it was diplayed in blocks of code. Very soon after this, the screen cleared and dsplayed "FBI Warning". But it did not simply say FBI Warning. It scrolled by itself and the "FBI Warning" was created by first writing FBI with the letters "FBI" several times to make the effect of very large font ("Warning" was done in the same way").
Something like that.
I would appreciate it if someone could let me know if they know what this is. It kind of got me into computer programming. This was actually the main reason I started going to school for it, because this made me mystified by code.
FBI Warning
October 21, 2006 - 10:28pm
#1
FBI Warning
BBBB:20 58 FC A2 B BD C9 BB 9D B5 05 CA D0 F7 60 C6 C2 C9 A0 D7 C1 D2 CE C9 CE C7 NBBBBLBBBBG
...and for those of us playing catch-up, could someone please elaborate on what was seen and subsequently what mmphosis presented as the apparent sequence?
What mmphosis put down is what I remember seeing - but does anyone know what this code is or for? The "IOU", I'm assuming, could possably stand for Input/Output - but for what?
I am sorry if I can not elaborate on what was seen. You have to take in account that I was in the 6th grade when this happened. I never got passed the FBI Warning because my buddy at the time got scared by the warning and turned the computer off, unfortunatly, I never found out why we recieved the FBI Warning - and this is what I hope to find out if you guys would help me out. Thanks.
You possibly (by playing around) opened an "Easter Egg"
containing a routine warning (similar to those on home
movies/videos) about tampering/reproducing any or all
of the codes written by the engineers. Most software and
other programs over the years contain this warning to
protect the originators of the code. Kind of neat that
you found it. Ever watch the movie "DEFCON 4"?
......DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A GAME?............
YES
......WHAT GAME DO YOU WISH TO PLAY?.........
GLOBAL THERMONUCLEAR WAR
It was actually "War Games" with Matthew Broderick.
The computer he used was an Apple IIe!
You are correct! I checked my movie library
after writing that and I saw my mistake! I
think that is one of the great "geek" movies
of all time! BTW...The IS a movie called
"DEFCON 4" but I got the titles mixed. It
happens when you become a "senior citizen".
Maybe I need to "re-boot"! Remember that
computer-generated cartoon show?
I'm sorry, but improperly quoting a movie so important to geek culture really bothers me...
That, and I have an eidetic memory...
And it wasn't an Apple ][. It was an IMSAI 8080.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WarGames
Yes, I have recently been corrected on this point via email as well. Coulda sworn that was a IIe from memory, but I'm afraid my personal RAM has become a bit flaky over the years. That happens to us carbon units, they tell me.
That's OK, I thought it was an old Altair!
I'm going to pull out that movie tomorrow night
and watch it again! It never loses its "coolness".
I'm also looking for a copy of "Pirates of Silicon
Valley". The Apple Computer story.
I was able to download a decent copy of Pirates of Silicon Valley from Limewire. I purchased the movie on VHS for something like $5 from Amazon.com.
In my opinion, that movie should have an FBI warning on it, simply cuz it sucked... but that's just me...
That would be cool if it was an Easter Egg, you know the "FBI Warning" I was talking about. Although, the thought of kinda being movie like . . .
.... IOU ....
NO PROB BOB
......DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A GAME?............
YES
---------->
Seems to tickle me a little. As kind of a no prize challenge, can anyone reproduce my FBI warning on video - this would be awsome for me to see. I would bang away at this myself - except my Apple ][e is now gone. Bummer. I loved that thing.
Thanks again for your guys input and - maybe - just, fingure crossed, maybe - a teary eyed thanks to the one who can reproduce the warning for me
Unauthorized use of the FBI seal, name, and initials are subject to prosecution under Federal Criminal law, including Sections 701, 709, and 712 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
FBI WARNING
This is copyrighted material. Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized use, reproduction, duplication or exhibition of copyrighted materials in any media. (Title 17, United States Code, Section 501, 506) The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigates allegations of criminal copyright infringement. (Title 17, United States Code, Section 506).
Approved only for non-commercial, private use. Any public performance, copying or other use in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Warning unauthorized reproduction or use of videos is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty up to 5 years in prison and/ or a $250,000 fine.
INTERPOL WARNING
International agreements and National laws protect copyrighted motion pictures, videotapes and sound recording. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted material can result in severe criminal and civil penalties under the laws of your country.
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has expressed its concern about motion picture and sound recording policy to all of its member national police forces. (Resolution adopted at INTERPOL General Assembly, Stockholm, Sweden, September 8, 1977).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf7URAgrmvg
Why did you get rid of it? They're really neat
machines and many still use them for things even
today! I still keep inventories and maintenance
logs on them for my antique toy collection and
antique fire engine (REAL ONES) collection (YES,
I HAVE MORE THAN ONE!)
Besides...It's a "cult" thing!
A-2 FOREVER!
Nice try mmphosis. . . . the video you submitted is not what I had in mind - Good fun though
Read the first post and then try again . . .
Ah yes! I loved my Apple][Es. yes that is plural - I loved them both and had serveral games and apps when I was young. They unfortunatly came into contact with a ceiling leak in my closet.
*Sighs Dejectedly *