[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: phone calls from hell



Hello,

(Maybe I should put [Noise] into the subject, but then again the whole
thread is, isn't it...)
 
...[About exploding phones]...

> Sorta gives new meaning to the term "_Terminate_ and Stay Resident" program, doesn't it?!?
> 
> (Or "end of file.")

This isn't really news...

Haven't you ever heard of the ASCII control character EOU?

Quoting from the Jargon file:

:EOU: /E-O-U/ n. The mnemonic of a mythical ASCII control
   character (End Of User) that would make an ASR-33 Teletype explode
   on receipt.  This construction parodies the numerous obscure
   delimiter and control characters left in ASCII from the days when
   it was associated more with wire-service teletypes than computers
   (e.g., FS, GS, RS, US, EM, SUB, ETX, and esp. EOT).  It is worth
   remembering that ASR-33s were big, noisy mechanical beasts with a
   lot of clattering parts; the notion that one might explode was
   nowhere near as ridiculous as it might seem to someone sitting in
   front of a {tube} or flatscreen today.


This isn't worth signing and I'm tired...

Jiri
--
If you want an answer, please mail to <[email protected]>.
On sweeney, I may delete without reading!
PGP 463A14D5 (but it's at home so it'll take a day or two)
PGP EF0607F9 (but it's at uni so don't rely on it too much)