<audio>Rainy forest background sound</audio>
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-style:"blink")+(text-size:2)+(text-color:"magenta")+(text-style:"smear")[Initiating memory restoration….]]
(after:5s)
|delayed>[Feel free to interact with the information you see on the screen by choosing your memory exploration path.
If stuck, dial a customer support agent at +00 000 00 000 and press #2023.
Enjoy the exploration of your forgotten narrative.
Your satisfaction is of utmost importance to our enterprise.
Continue to (text-color:magenta)[ [[Beginner's Point Cafe]]]]
(enchant: ?delayed's chars, via (t8n-delay: (pos * 30) + 1000) + (t8n: "instant"))
(if: not ((history:) contains "Beginner's Point Cafe"))[
“People really shouldn’t drink so much caffeine. Artificially raised adrenaline levels in crowds are not where you want to be when you hear alarming news like this.”
|delayed>[It all looked like a pretty normal morning when your team met at the corner cafe.
You don’t take nearly enough offsites like that. But they are a good way to break out of the box and outside the usual rituals. And there is something about the change of scenery that really brings the whole remote-working team together into a shared frame of mind.
This seems to be true even in extraordinary circumstances.
You were just taking meeting minutes notes, when you experienced a sudden glitch. The Internet went out and when you came back online, the world felt like a blur. The worried faces of the well caffeinated patrons at Beginner’s Point Cafe are starting to turn into expressions of helpless panic. The TV behind the bar is showing [[breaking news ]] announcements.]
(enchant: ?delayed's chars, via (t8n-delay: (pos * 30) + 1000) + (t8n: "instant"))
](else:)[
|delayed>[White you’re still processing this information, you focus your gaze back on the room. Your team is seated around the table heatedly discussing what to do right now. One of your colleagues is holding up a mystery object, a large black square with a hole in the center of it. You wonder weather you shoud [[ask your colleague what the mystery object is]] or try to [[identify the mystery object yourself]]. Maybe you should just [[ignore the mystery object]] alltogether and focus on the newly recieved information from the breaking news announcement]
(enchant: ?delayed's chars, via (t8n-delay: (pos * 30) + 1000) + (t8n: "instant"))
]
(size: 2)[Breaking News: Unprecedented Cyber Attack Shakes the Internet; Terrorists Issue Demands]
"We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this alarming breaking news. A massive cyber attack, the first of its kind, has hit the Internet on a global scale, causing a widespread outage that lasted for several minutes. Millions of users around the world were left without Internet access, bringing businesses and communication to a standstill.
This attack is being attributed to an as-yet unidentified terrorist organization, which has shaken the very foundations of the digital world. As we speak, we are receiving reports that the terrorists have issued a set of demands, with a chilling warning: if their demands are not met within the specified timeframe, the consequences for the Internet as we know it will be beyond anyone's worst nightmares.
Governments around the world are now in urgent discussions, with many considering declaring states of emergency. The scale and sophistication of this attack have sent shockwaves through the international community, raising serious questions about the vulnerability of our digital infrastructure.
We now go live to our editorial staff, who have just received new information about the terrorists' demands:
News Anchor: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have just learned that the terrorists have issued a set of demands, which, if not met, could lead to the collapse of the Internet as we know it. At this time, we cannot reveal the specifics of these demands, as the situation is still developing. However, we can confirm that governments worldwide are treating this threat with the utmost seriousness and are working together to assess the best course of action."
The stakes are higher than ever, and the world is now holding its breath, waiting to see what will happen next. You hear the anchor grabbing your attention "Stay tuned to our network for the (text-color:magenta) [[latest updates on this rapidly developing situation]]". But you wonder if you shoud refocus your gaze back on what's going on at (text-color:magenta) [[Beginner's Point Cafe]].
Loading latest updates...
{
(live: 3s)[
(stop:)
...still loading...
]
}
{
(live: 7s)[
(stop:)
No real progress here. You look at the scene at the (text-color:magenta)[ [[Beginner's Point Cafe]] ]again.
]
}Your colleague is as confused as you have ever seen them, telling you they just found it lying on the table.
You recall a similar object from a long time ago and dig up some information the team might find valuable: 5 1/4 inch floppy, pre-internet data storage device, now only found if you (text-color:magenta)[[go to the Computer History Museum]].
You take to the path narrated by the latest and greatest satellite navigation tool and hope the next attack on the Internet won’t happen while you commute, or your hero journey will be a mighty short one.
However the quest is starting to feel real and the excitement in your group is rising. The navigation app tells you the museum is closed right now, but the team decided going to (text-color:magenta)[[The Museum Square]] was worth a try anyway.
At that moment a gray haired woman with a large cup of matcha latte passes by your table and comments with a certain nostalgic gusto: “A floppy, where did you get that? Maybe we’ll need to go back to these thingies if the Internet goes up in flames after all! You know I just read that if you (text-color:magenta)[ [[go to the Computer History Museum]]] it is offering a service to read archaic pre-internet media.“
The woman walks out. There is a lot of commotion in the room. The other guests are nervously moving to and fro. Some of them are looking for answers from the (text-color:magenta)[ [[Barista]]] behind the bar, because they didn’t hear or see the news that well from their side of the cafe. Others are just trying to quickly pay for their coffee and return to the morning rush hour. Through the windows you can see the people in the square outside walking to wherever they need to be, most of them hooked to their mobile phones. The(text-colour:magenta)[ [[entrance door]]] on your left is slamming shut after every exit. The room has(text-color:magenta)[ [[another door on the right]]], but no one is paying attention to it.
|delayed>[ Hello there! I hope you're having a wonderful day. (text-style:"none")[😊] What can I brew up for you today?
☕
Ah, a cappuccino! Excellent choice.] ☕ (text-style:"smear")[The perfect blend of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy goodness. Did you know that the word "cappuccino" comes from the Capuchin friars, who wore a brown robe similar to the color of the drink? Quite interesting, isn't it?]
👍
(text-style:"smear")[You're welcome! I'm always here to make your day a little brighter and share some fun facts.] 😊 (text-style:"smear")[While you wait for your cappuccino, let me tell you a joke. Why did the coffee file a police report? It got mugged! ]
😄😄😄
(text-style:"smear")[I'm glad you enjoyed it! Laughter is the best medicine, after all. So, how has your day been so far? I hope it's been as smooth as a well-crafted latte.
Busy days can be quite challenging, but remember to take a moment to breathe and enjoy the little things, like the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.] 🌟 (text-style:"smear")[Your cappuccino is now ready. I hope it brings you the warmth and energy you need to power through the rest of your day. If you need anything else or just want to chat, I'm always here for you. Have a great day and have fun if you](text-color:magenta)+(text-style:"smear")[ [[go to the Computer History Museum]]!] 😊 ]
(enchant: ?delayed's chars, via (t8n-delay: (pos * 30) + 1000) + (t8n: "instant"))(text-style:"smear")[You experience the excitment of a bustling culturally rich city. So many attractions are worth seeing nearby and they are all competing for attention. You can go to the Castle or to the Opera house or you can also go to the](text-color:magenta)+(text-style:"smear")[ [[go to the Computer History Museum]].](text-style:"smear")+(text-style:"rumble")[It's the restrooms.] <img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/Museum Square copy.png" height="200">
|delayed>[ As you arrive at the location, you notice the Computer History Museum building has large windows and glass doors and you can see people moving between the museum exhibits inside. There is a big sign on the (text-color:magenta) [[museum entrance door]] advertising the opening hours which correspond with the online information. You spot a (text-color:magenta)[ [[museum custodian]]] eating his sandwich by the side of the building.]
(enchant: ?delayed's chars, via (t8n-delay: (pos * 30) + 1000) + (t8n: "instant"))The door is locked.|delayed>["Hello, I’m the museum custodian. I am the keeper of the museum and the gatekeeper. But there is a(text-color:magenta)[ [[time for everything]].] There is also(text-colour:magenta)[ [[no time like lunch time]]] and we all know lunchtime is sacred to people. Plus the museum is closed to the public today. Unless you have an(text-color:magenta)[ [[emergency]]] and the world as we know it will end?"]
(enchant: ?delayed's chars, via (t8n-delay: (pos * 30) + 1000) + (t8n: "instant"))
No need to get Biblical here. It's just an expression.That is true. There's no time like lunch time to do your homework.Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place!” The museum custodian swallows the last bite of his sandwich, wipes his hands clean and motions you to follow him into the(text-color:magenta)[ [[museum ground floor lobby]].]
<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Entrance 1500x420px.png" height="200">
(if: visits >=2)[ You follow the custodian into a large open space with a spiral staircase in the middle. The stairs lead up to the first floor and down to the basement. The floor is filled with exhibits, so are the large shop windows facing the road NE or the neighboring buildings SW. Opposite the door you just entered through is a back door facing SW.
You notice the entry ticket office is closed. The custodian catches your glance and points to a donation box with a sign reading “A little kindness goes a long way” and remarks “Feel free to(text-color:magenta)[ [[make a donation]]] instead of paying for a ticket."
As you pass the Ticket office, a swarm of(text-color:magenta)[ [[students]]] rushes by you on their way out after what looked like a fun visit. The intensity of the encounter blurs your vision and you lose your group in the crowd while you try to come to terms with the student’s dizzying sense of fashion.
You notice the museum is a very busy place outside the advertised public opening hours.
The(text-color:magenta)[ [[teacher]]] thanks the museum educator for the workshop. The educator points you to the 1st floor saying “The conference is setting up(text-color:magenta)[ [[upstairs]]”.]
](else:)[ The ground floor hosts the main(text-color:magenta)[ [[museum historic exhibition]]]. The spiral staircase leads(text-color:magenta)[ [[upstairs]]] and(text-color:magenta)[ [[downstairs]].] There is the main(text-color:magenta)[ [[museum entrance door]]] and a(text-color:magenta)[ [[back door->Beginner's Point Cafe]].]]
TBD EDIT:
insert link or QR code for donation
(text-style:"smear")[There are many ways you can support a local museum besides making a donation. You can buy at their gift shop or volunteer. All of these give you a chance to contribute and make a deeper connection with](text-color:magenta)+(text-style:"smear")[ [[the cause]].]
<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Event space copy 1500x420px.png" height="200">
You follow a [[spiral staircase]] to the first floor and scan the room. There is a big glass open space and two doors into glass partitioned [[classroom 1]] and [[clasroom 2]]. You see a [[museum technician]] setting up the speaker podium in front of roughly 50 empty chairs.
There is a [[refreshments table ]]with beverages, biscuits and fruit by the wall. The floor also hosts a modern looking interactive [[Escape exhibition]]. Your team is not here.<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Stairs 1500x420px marked.png" height="200">
The spiral staircase connecting from the [[ground floor->museum ground floor lobby]] was a timeline taking you further into the history of computing.
The last three steps of the stairway are marked with the oldest high level programming languages. There is Cobol (1959), the first to resemble the English language, popular for business programming and responsible for most of the Y2K worries. There is Lisp (1958), a unique objective language, popular for artificial intelligence programming. You glitch just before reading the last step text: Fortran (1954), one of the oldest high level languages and still one of the most popularly used in science.
At the bottom of the stairs there are four doors and a wall of museum [[wardrobe lockers]]. Behind the stairs there is a [[slide door to the left]] and a [[slide door to the right]]. Then there is one door on the SE wall and one on the NW wall. The [[SE facing door->museum collection storage door]] has a large [[glass window pane]] next to it and blue and red light is radiating from it. The window next to the open [[NW door->museum library]] is blocked by an exhibit of printed circuits, but you can see the light in the room is turned on. There is a large piece of [[equipment under the stairs]].
(text-style:"smear")[This is a totally #dopemuseum you shoud #checkitout.](text-style:"smear")[It is so nice to have an opportunity for students to interact with digital history and an environement in which to raise questions of media literacy and technology's imapact on our everyday lives. This is so much more effective than covering these topics in the classroom only. And the museum workshops are really something. So many new things to discover. I highly recommend taking time to explore the](text-color:magenta)+(text-style:"smear")[ [[museum historic exhibition]]](text-style:"smear")[ and the current temporay medial literacy](text-color:magenta)+(text-style:"smear")[ [[Escape exhibition]]](text-style:"smear")[ exhibition.]<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM ground floor 1500x420px.png" height="200">
insert links to exhibitionA fun piece about Dopamine triggers in Instagram stands out
https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/085801-004-A/dopamine-4-8/
and so does an storytelling AR app about precious metals in our smartphones
http://sevengrams.org/download/
|delayed>[Setting an exhibition space for an event can be quite a task, with all these cables and connections to handle. Oh, I always get a bit anxious about it, but it's an exciting job. Although, to be honest, visitors can be too curious, and sometimes they accidentally interfere with the setup… and ”accidentally” really mess things up.
I've seen visitors unplugging cables to charge their phones or tinkering with stage equipment, not realizing they might cause issues. No matter how user proof you think your setup is, there's always someone who finds a way to brick something. It’s an ongoing challenge but it's also one of the reasons I love it - everytime a school group passes through I learn something new. I just wish visitors would be a bit more mindful of the sensitive setups. After all, we're trying to create an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Well, nice chatting with you, now, let's get back to work and make sure everything runs smoothly.
Oh, and mind the cable!]
(enchant: ?delayed3's chars, via (t8n-delay: (pos * 30) + 1000) + (t8n: "instant") + (t8n-skip:0.1s))
These worldly pleasures are not for you!(text-style:"smear")[The door to the maker classroom with a 3D printing setup and a CNC machine is locked.]<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Classroom 1500x420px.png" height="200">
(text-style:"smear")[Somebody was here recently. There are signs of a busy coding lesson, a](text-color:magenta)+(text-style:"smear")[ [[whiteboard with instructions]]](text-style:"smear")[ and some](text-color:magenta)+(text-style:"smear")[ [[intriguing materials]]] (text-style:"smear")[related to cyphers on the table. ]<img src="Ctrl_Shift_Esc pictures/RM stairs.png">
The spiral staircase is a mesmerizing timeline, taking you back in time through the history of computer languages humanity invented for writing software code.
You pass the [[museum ground floor->museum ground floor lobby]] again and continue [[downstairs]]. <img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Lockers 1500x420px.png" height="200">
(if:visits <2) [There are 12 typical visitor lockers, the ones you can lock if you leave a coin the the lock.]
(else:)[
Which locker do you want to open?
[[1]],[[2]],[[3]],[[4]],[[5]],[[6]],[[7]],[[8]],[[9]],[[10]],[[11]],[[12]]]
<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Under the stairs 1500x420px.png" height="200">
There is a 1972 standalone IBM punch card machine lurking from under the stairs and you wish you could just ask it “where did they go buddy?”. But the old heap of technology just sits there silently off the grid as a testament to the skills and processes long forgotten. Who would have thought we came all the way from punching holes in pieces of paper. Yet what an ingenious way to record data it was. You can’t help but wonder if the threat of losing the Internet is real and if that happens, how far back would we retrace the steps of digital technology evolution. Would there ever be a need to return to punching paper again?! Another glitch happens. You chase away those thoughts and decide to find your team soon.There is some code on the door:
Ž:\>type Ada.txt > WC:\Clean
This is the restroom. No time for this nonsense.There is some code on the door:
M:\>type Alan.txt > WC:\Clean
This is the restroom. No time for this nonsense.The door to the museum storage is locked (for a reason). Only authrized personel can enter this most sacred chamber in the entire museum. <img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Library 1500x420px.png" height="200"> That was easy. The team and the museum custodian did not get far. The room is obviously a library (and a bric-a-brac of some sorts), there are shelves of books and magazines, and shelves of other stuff, much like a wizard’s den.
A [[service door]] on the other side of the room is blocked by the [[librarian]]’s desk and it looks like this is the character, who will make or break your progress. The custodian is explaining to the librarian that you would like to use the lab service for reading a floppy disc.
insert image
It is gorgeous. Isn't is?The [[librarian]] is keeping you from acessing the service door. (if:(history: where its name contains "donation")'s length >= 1)[“The Lab technician is busy working on some stuff for the Archivist. But to make the wait shorter, you can help me with my (crossword) puzzles? The librarian turns his [[computer screen]] so everyone can see. “] (else:)[The Museum custodian nudges you: "The librarian is a volunteer, a little kindness goes a long way", he slips you a museum brochure which has a [[donation]] QR code on it.]
<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Studio 1500x420px.png" height="200">
The tiny studio space is organized so it can host 3 people in a comfortable conversation seated on chairs around an L shaped desk. There is not a lot of gear in the studio, just the audio/video equipment and a media production computer. Adjacent to the [[museum library]] is a wall with a closed door to the [[museum laboratory]] and a decorative shelf with retrocomputing items and a fake plant. No real plant would live in a room without windows.
“I’m sure there is a key”, says the Librarian with a mysterious look on his face.
Custodian knows the floppy drive is in there and urges you all to continue “If your quest is time sensitive at all, you might not want to wait,” he says.
[insert riddle connecting archive and media production - resulting the number of the locker where you find a lab coat and a key to the lab]
Solve the riddle, get the key from the locker, go into the lab, still no lab tech anywhere, time is ticking away (how? is it necessary to show?)
Hint 1: >>I think I saw that number nearby.
Hint 2: >>how many lockers are there in the museum wardrobe?
Hint 3:>>If I were to leave a key someplace so I don’t have to carry it around, I’d use a locker, just so it’s not laying around.
You find key (look into correct number locker) and text triggers:
The locker opens and just as presumed there is a key with a rather large 3d printed keychain of the museum hexinaveder on it. Definitely too big to put in a pocket. No wonder the lab tech left it behind. No visitors, no one to poke around the lockers. Well, at least he thought today there would be no visitors.
“Allow me”, the museum custodian says as he takes the key from the locker and rushes over to the lab door to open it. “I’m sure the Lab technician won’t be long if he left his key behind. Plus I’m here with you, so what could possibly go wrong”.
<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Lab 1500x420px.png" height="200">
The lab doesn’t look very lab-like. It’s just a row of tables around the walls of a semi-open space workshop area connecting to the [[museum collection storage]]. Some old workstations were arranged on the tables. One of them looks like a time traveling Frankenstein’s monster data rescue machine made almost entirely out of various epochs of data reading hardware. There is a desk for repairs and shelves of components, materials, tools, instruments, chemicals and other specialist whatnots. <img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Lab stuff 1500x420px.png" height="200">
You observe how quickly the team gets comfortable on the swivel chairs at the desks and starts to fiddle with things lying on the desk. One of your colleagues flaps the black floppy continuously as if motioning some silent rhythm in contemplation.
You know you have two options, either to tell your colleague to [[insert the floppy into the Frankenstein’s monster data rescue machine]]. Or to tell your colleague to stop being so nervous and [[wait for the Lab technician]] to come. It's a tough choice.
"You’re brilliant.. Didn’t we all hear the lady say it’s just a floppy disk. By all probability it’s got nothing readable on it anyway. I’m starting to get hungry, we should really move along. Lets just shove it in and see what we came to see, shall we?"
Without waiting for anybody’s answer the disk got inserted into the floppy drive of one of the workstations and everyone held their breath. One second. Two seconds. Three… The screen goes black/ pops up a message / goes wild.
Then all of a sudden a [[text]] appears.
"Don’t be paranoid. Didn’t you hear the lady say it’s just a floppy disk. By all probability it’s got nothing readable on it anyway. I’m starting to get hungry, we should really move along. Lets just shove it in and see what we came to see, shall we?"
Without waiting for anybody’s answer the disk got inserted into the floppy drive of one of the workstations and everyone held their breath. One second. Two seconds. Three… The screen goes black/ pops up a message / goes wild.
Then all of a sudden a [[text]] appears:
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")+(color:red)+(text-style:"smear","mirror")[Within your shell, a shadow stirs,
an accidental bearer chaos prefers.
Through windows bright, a path takes shape,
under the cloak of a familiar landscape.
Your Trojan hands unknowing, commit the deed,
sowing seeds of my darkling creed.
Well, well, you puppet of the night,
spinning webs in silken byte…
Achievement unlocked!
Mwahahaha, formally you are now an accomplice in a cyber attack. Enjoy the show!
And, oh, thank you for your service."]
The museum lab technician arrives in that moment and freaks out: “I take one lousy coffee break in the whole week of really really long shifts and you come in and crash everything!? I've been cleaning up the tech debt of the past 2 decades and now you ruined it all?! Who do you think you are to use my gear without even so much as consulting me first- he looks at the custodian fuming.”
He scolds you for using his equipment, scolds the museum custodian, then realizes what happened and says [[“Oh, no! Not again!”]]
“I was just cleaning up virus archives from decade 5 and came across a very similar incident recorded in detail by the Archivist. And I can tell you this isn’t good. It's in the database, look it up for yourselves .” he points to the computer on the [[Archivist’s desk]] in the [[museum collection storage]].
“…the Archivist is nowhere to be found and his desk looks like he left in a hurry. I didn’t move anything and there is some pretty interesting stuff there.“ he motions towards the desk in the collection storage.<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Archivist desk 1500x420px.png" height="200">
There is a computer under the desk. On the desk there is a monitor, a mouse and a keyboard. You notice the keyboard is [[missing the top left key]]. The computer is turned on and shows a [[repository]] of some sorts.
The Archivist’s desk is also full of [[archive folders]] open on various pages. There is also an open notebook with a [[note]] and an ink pen laid over it.
Online database was recently revamped - not all readme files were transposed adequately, so some comments were posted directly into the code,” says the lab technician before you enter the repository.
https://github.com/racunalniskimuzej/escape
github readme file of Computer history museum introduction. Code comments contain pointers to letters from the Archivist (left on the table) segment where his last words contain a clue (how to find the right code segment that contains comments with link to online live stream and instructions - where by clicking that link you enter into the parallel universe of this memory reconstruction network with an online only existence for yourself and your team - there is no other way
[insert zoom link to live treasure hunt at the end of documentation]
There is a ton of information from the very physical decade 5 in those open folders, it becomes apparent to you that you need to stop whatever you set in motion or the world as you know it will become only a figment of your imagination. The reports from the past are breathtaking and imagining how much worse consequences like these would be in today’s state of technology makes you want to unknow what you know. The glitch happens again and you refocus your gaze on the rest of the [[Archivist’s desk]].Remember which key is the top left key of a querty keyboard?<img src="http://escape.museum/Ctrl_Shift_Esc_pictures/RM Archivist desk - closeup 1500x420px marked.png" height="200">
(text-style:"italic","buoy")[“In order to have control, you need to shift control of the code and escape!”]when riddles completed
The librarian lets you pass through the door and you enter a small soundproof [[A/V studio]].