Over 30,000 people fall for ComputerTan hoax

[snopes]

A new technology that harnesses the rays of a computer screen to give office workers a tan while they type was today revealed as a charity hoax, after 30,000 people visited the ComputerTan website in 24 hours to register their interest.

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/...cle5667995.ece

[ShockDingo]

I'd not only be skeptical if there was really such a product, but I'd be afraid. Something that harnesses ambient computer screen energy to tan people?! That sounds like the makings of a death ray to me.

[franjava]

I'm sure many of those people were idiots who truly thought this was legit. But (IMO) most were probably just curious to see what the heck this was. I know I've gone to sites already believing it to be bull-pucky and just looking for a laugh. Then, there's also word of mouth... I can't get computertan to load, so I don't know what they meant by "register interest." If they just went by how many hits the site got, that's not proving all these people fell for a hoax.

[Valitudinarius Rex]

Originally Posted by ShockDingo

I'd not only be skeptical if there was really such a product, but I'd be afraid. Something that harnesses ambient computer screen energy to tan people?! That sounds like the makings of a death ray to me.

It compares nicely with the latest, and somewhat disappointing , episode of "Fringe" in which a computer program made people's brains melt and run out their ears. There are SO many continuity problems with that...everyone KNOWS your melted brains run out your nose....

[TrishDaDish]

Originally Posted by ShockDingo

I'd not only be skeptical if there was really such a product, but I'd be afraid. Something that harnesses ambient computer screen energy to tan people?! That sounds like the makings of a death ray to me.

"Oh, I'm sorry! That's my Death Ray. I had intended it for peaceful purposes, only...you showed up, and...ha ha ha ha!!!"

"Yeah, you got me! That's pretty funny! Ha ha ha!

Trish "Danger! Death Ray!" daDish

[ShockDingo]

Originally Posted by TrishDaDish

"Oh, I'm sorry! That's my Death Ray. I had intended it for peaceful purposes, only...you showed up, and...ha ha ha ha!!!"

"Yeah, you got me! That's pretty funny! Ha ha ha!

Trish "Danger! Death Ray!" daDish

That's just awesome, knowing my luck that'd totally happen to me somehow. "Free testing of deathra...errr...free donuts!" "Free?! I'm so there..oh...wait...blaaaarrrgh!"