Every copy of Get Lamp, the text adventure/interactive fiction documentary. ships with a uniquely numbered, collectible coin.
I was initially disappointed to learn that customers would not be able to reserve or choose specific numbers — of course after thinking about it, I realize what a logistical nightmare this would have been. The first 2,000 coins were reserved almost immediately. When shipping 2,000 “anythings” in 30 days, I can’t imagine taking, tracking, and delivering specifically numbered coins to specific customers would be anything less than a major headache. On top of that, the really low numbers were reserved for investors, interviewees, and other groups, so those were already spoken for. It would have been a big nightmare for not much pay off. Most people probably didn’t care what specific number was stamped on their coin.
But I did — I wanted coin #405. If you are a child of the Internet, you may not feel any connection to your area code, but those of us who grew up using modems do (or at least did). Back then, people represented their area codes. Long before 90210 we had 213. One of the first groups of hackers to gain notoriety in the media were the Milwaukee 414s. Back in the day, I remember calling BBSes in 714 (California), 303 (Denver), 404 (Atlanta), and 312 (Chicago) … but 405 was mine. In fact, several years ago, I wrote a tribute to area code 405 for the Cult of the Dead Cow. As you can probably guess, it’s Text File #405.
After receiving coins #331 and #332 (I ordered two copies; one for me, one for Dad), I made a post on the Get Lamp website, announcing my search for that specific coin. Fellow customer Shannon Harris responded, and said that he would be willing to trade coins! The rest, as they say, is history.
Whenever I go to the mall (ugh) I always see these kiosks selling that hippity-hop gangsta style clothing with lettering such as “Burque 505” on it. The sad thing is that if you ask most people where the cultural identity-via-area code started they’d probably say it began with Ruben Studdard on American Idol (/rolls eyes). It’s nice to know some people out there still remember the more nerdy/subversive truth.
All I can say is Shannon must be very understanding, gracious, or just as obsessive about something to understand your desire to acquire “405”. He/she should be properly thanked! And good for you!!!
You, my dear, win the title of King Dork for the Day
Hehehe… love it! 808 FTW!
I just adore the stuff you bring up and talk about! There’s always such good memories attached to the “old skool” stuff that comes up. Dial up modems…I can still hear the screechy sound in my head that went with our first computers growing up. And I lived on BBS of all kind. Good times!!! :)
The number of my “Get Lamp” coin – which was randomly pulled out of a box when I bought the DVD at CGE2K10 – is 1455. The year the Gutenberg bible was first published (the year of the War of the Roses started too). W00t!
Haha, nice! 360 represent!
Rob, since you called BBS’s in 714 (my area code as a child), you might have called my BBS, that is if you liked calling Commodore 64 BBS’s.
I later moved my BBS to a 286 computer, but I still have my C64 and BBS files. I should look to see if you’re in my user base. For privacy I’ll contact you off blog to ask what your handle was “back in the day” to check. How cool would that be if you actually called my BBS?
On the “Get Lamp” front, I received coin #2220, but like commenter ubikuberalles, my coin was pulled at random from a giant box when I purchased my DVD at one of Jason’s screenings. I never really paid attention to what numbered coin I was getting, but I was just happy get the DVD and for the fact Jason was nice enough to sign it for me.
I definitely understand personal obsessions, and was more than happy to swap coins with Rob. He also gave me a copy of his book, which I finally read over the holiday weekend and recommend as well.
Thanks for the hookup, Shannon. The book was a small price to pay and a token of my appreciation. Thanks again!