Back in the early 90s, every computer related magazine had a copy of the CP/M (Control Program / Monitor) for FREE on a 5 1/4 inch floppy disc sealed in a plastic pouch on the back cover offering a new and exciting experience to reach out and communicate with the world in a new and revolutionary way. It was called "getting online". The word "internet" had not yet been the default expression.

There was a plethora of gaming sites. There was a slew of technical sites. There was a bunch of special interest sites; universities, libraries, government organizations (that were scratching their heads) and there was AOL.

America Online was the most prolific dispenser of FREE 5 1/4 inch floppy drives that allowed you to explore this new technology. There were so many free discs that we were using them as coasters for our drinks. "SIGN UP NOW! FREE!"

You had to unplug your telephone from the wall or the desk and insert the jack into the built-in modem on your new 386 (IBM clone) computer. Then open the Window that had the AOL software and click on "GET CONNECTED!" It took several minutes, but it was amazing! After reading the latest news and sports scores, you discovered there were live "chat rooms". AOL chat rooms were the grandparents of Reddit, 4chan and VOAT. There were some of the funniest times I ever witnessed online in those early days. Those people that had logged onto America Online were pioneers in humor. (I'll never forget the FLUKE thread... you had to be there) But anyway, after the novelty of seeing your comment being received, acknowledged and responded to wore off, it was time to start fucking with those people. After a long pause with no comments... (remember, there were only a few thousand people in the world online back then) ...I decided to make a joke.

"What did Hitler say to Mussolini when he showed up unexpectedly?"

:::::::::: long pause ::::::::::

"If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a kike."

.

BAM!!! ...disconnected. ...try to dial up again. "SERVICE UNAVAILABLE Error 606. Please try again later" 8 hours later... same message. LOL!!!

I was the first person banned from the internet! For a fucking joke. In 1991. Now you know how I ended up here.