The Digital Century

We remember 100 computing events (crucial, improbable, or downright absurd) that changed our lives, opened our eyes, or made us smile.

The Good Times virus: Can an e-mail with the words "good times" in the subject line damage your PC? No, but thousands of gullible users thought so--endlessly recycling warnings about this and other virtual viruses.
Navy missile shot down Flight 800: No one knows what caused TWA Flight 800 to crash into the ocean in July 1996. But former ABC correspondent Pierre Salinger's reputation got shot down when he "broke" the bogus missile theory weeks after it had swirled around the Net.
Kurt Vonnegut's MIT commencement speech (aka "Wear sunscreen"): Wise, whimsical, and convincing enough to fool even Mrs. Vonnegut, but actually penned by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich.
The $1000 e-mail: To test a new e-mail tracking program, Bill Gates supposedly sent an e-mail promising to pay $1000 to anyone who forwarded a copy of the message. We're still waiting for our checks.
The Net virgins: In July 1998, two California teens announced plans to lose their virginity in front of a worldwide Web audience. Then it was revealed that the teens were really actors involved in a moneymaking stunt. The event was canceled, and a grateful nation went back to watching Ally McBeal.

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