Another Timewaster

That obscure huh? I thought someone would have seen it, and now I am guessing that Pete just googled the entire passage, and got the info he shared.

Before modern video games, pacman, space invaders or even pong, were "conversational text games". This is from the original one in the mid to late 70s. And yes, it made its way around the predecessor of the internet, then just available to gov't and academia.

When I was working on my thesis in 1978, at the one computer terminal in the department that was hooked up to the campus main frame, I stumbled on this game. Progress on my thesis definitely slowed. It was fun and addictive. You explore a cave encountering various treasures and hurdles as you enter two word commands. Actually takes a little thinking, logic and puzzle solving. People still mess with it and write about it as the "original computer game." I never did solve it all. And today you can get all kinds of hints, solutions and maps, but I have resisted the temptation, knowing I still have plenty to discover. (no, I havnt messed with it all these years. I resurrected it about 5 years ago to show my kids and then this past week for I don't know why.) Additional info and downloadable versions are available at

"Colossal Cave Adventure"

For some reason, Pete, I don't think you are being completely honest in your answer here. Come on....fess up.

Speaking of time wasters (See Joel's thread below) does anyone recognize this passage?

"You are standing at the end of a road before a small brick building. Around you is a forest. A small stream flows out of the building and down a gully."