Satou Pendragon

Engaged Member
Jan 24, 2018
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Had you not heard it before? Or you mean new to this thread?
It's quite an old joke, but possibly more familiar to people with an interest in IT.

It's a bit like the old "ID 10 T" error code, or PEBCAK (both commonly found on this site).
Or, the old conversation.
Naturally I mean in this thread:D:p
 
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WigglyWorld84

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Aug 14, 2021
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I have been using the internet for, at least, 6 weeks. I have never heard this, "any key" before. Then again, its bad. Like, really bad. Even for a dad joke. Not like I was missing out. I am now embarassed that it is even in my head somewhere. Thanks :cautious:
 

whichone

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Jan 3, 2018
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Then again, its bad.
Yeah, it's a joke about idiots. It's not exactly trying to be highbrow. :ROFLMAO:
The fact that it's symbolic of what real tech support staff used to deal with, makes it even worse.
That type of question was pretty common for IT helpdesks, in the mid-late 90's.
Things like that are why PEBCAK exists as a term.
 

PBS666

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Feb 19, 2019
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Yeah, it's a joke about idiots. It's not exactly trying to be highbrow. :ROFLMAO:
The fact that it's symbolic of what real tech support staff used to deal with, makes it even worse.
That type of question was pretty common for IT helpdesks, in the mid-late 90's.
Things like that are why PEBCAK exists as a term.
Tell me about it! I used to do IT troubleshooting until a decade ago.
"You will replace my monitor ? What about my data ?" And no, it wasn't an all-in-one.
"I can't print" Me after turning the printer on: "Now you can."
 

whichone

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Jan 3, 2018
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Tell me about it! I used to do IT troubleshooting until a decade ago.
"You will replace my monitor ? What about my data ?" And no, it wasn't an all-in-one.
"I can't print" Me after turning the printer on: "Now you can."
Ha ha ha, that "can't print" one reminds me so much of the guy. :LOL::ROFLMAO:

lol IBM (Idiot Behind Machine) error, PICNIC (Problem In Chair Not In Computer), etc. :ROFLMAO:
1692641565219.gif
id10t.jpg
They all exist, for good reason!
 

whichone

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Jan 3, 2018
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Right. Used to deal with.
General ignorance and stupidity clearly has not gone away.
If anything, it's increased dramatically. Despite having much more information freely available.
Take a look through any thread on this site & you'll find countless examples of PEBCAK.

Used to be isolated, "Oh, look, a village idiot. Just ignore the dumbass."
Now there's a self-validating global community that gets upset when you don't spoon feed them.
 
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RDFozz

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Apr 1, 2022
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I am old enough to know that "print" originally meant, "send the query to the SCREEN so the human can READ it."
Screen. Right.
Really old systems didn't have screens. The console data was printed on paper (or, even before my time, might be dumped to punch cards; don't really know, since it was before my time).
 
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yltohawk

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Mar 19, 2019
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Screen. Right.
Really old systems didn't have screens. The console data was printed on paper (or, even before my time, might be dumped to punch cards; don't really know, since it was before my time).
That was Basic, or ASCI.
 

RDFozz

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Apr 1, 2022
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Is there a difference. I don't see a distinction.
Assuming this is in reply to my comment:

What we call public schools in the US are the default schools most kids attend, that neither cost tuition nor require some sort of voucher.

My understanding is that, in England, a public school is one that does charge tuition.
 

whichone

Forum Fanatic
Jan 3, 2018
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Screen. Right.
Really old systems didn't have screens. The console data was printed on paper (or, even before my time, might be dumped to punch cards; don't really know, since it was before my time).
lol Yeah, first computer screen was '71. 26 years after first computer, ENIAC ('45).
Funnily enough, 1st screen came out same time as 1st PC.

But there was no such thing as a helpdesk, back then. :ROFLMAO:
My understanding is that, in England, a public school is one that does charge tuition.
Quite correct. There's a distinct difference. (y)
That was Basic, or ASCI.
You mean ASCII?
FORTRAN was around before them, but yeah, they all existed before computer screens.
 

RDFozz

Active Member
Apr 1, 2022
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That was Basic, or ASCI.
Basic is and was a programming language.
ASCII is the codes that describe a specific character set.

Back in the mid-1980s, the system I worked on did have monitors; however, it also had an actual console. You could view what happened on a monitor, but it came out live on what sort of looked like a typewriter embedded in a desk:
Decwriter.jpg
 

S1nsational

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Mar 31, 2022
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Obviously those of the Magnificat Seven who haven't already moved in, eventual will, but I wonder who else if anyone will we be able to live with as the game progresses. If it'll ever happen it'll not be for ages, because it'll have to be after the core seven have all moved in.
 
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