TK0JUT2@niu.bitnet (10/10/90)
Archive-name: mars-bbs/07-Oct-90 Original-posting-by: TK0JUT2@niu.bitnet Original-subject: MARS BBS Sysop: It Was All a Joke Reposted-by: emv@math.lsa.umich.edu (Edward Vielmetti) Pat-- You've obviously heard about the alleged MARS BBS sting -- the ftp BBS at Mississippi State allegedly "busted" for gif files. The problem with the gif files was quite real, BUT THE ALLEGED BBS INVOLVEMENT WAS A **PRANK**. So, if you put out an issue of TCD before we get out CuD, you might want to mention it. We'll have a story on it, but the bottom line is that it was intended as an innocent joke and spread. I finally got ahold of the sysop today (Ed Lukes) and he explained why he did it ... a response to some of the silly mail he was receiving about the gifs, and it was not intended as deception. So, the rumor that the Secret Service was using it as a sting board is *false.* jim [Moderator's Note: Some joke, huh? In these times, jokes like that are NOT funny. PAT]