We can't send email more than 500 miles (2002) (web.mit.edu)

Article summary

The article 'We can't send email more than 500 miles' from 2002 is not available, but the discussion suggests it is a story about a technical issue with email transmission. The story has been posted and discussed multiple times on Hacker News, with many users sharing links to past submissions. The story is often referred to as 'The case of the 500-mile email' and is considered a classic tale in the programming community. Its contents are inferred to involve a problem with email transmission over long distances, with the exact details unclear due to the article's unavailability.

Main themes

• email transmission
• technical troubleshooting
• community engagement
• storytelling in programming
• signal transmission times
• classic programming anecdotes

What commenters say

• Reposting classic stories like this one is valuable because it allows new users to discover and learn from them.
• The story is likely a work of fiction or an anecdote rather than a factual account of a technical issue.
• The speed of light through fiber optic cables is approximately 2/3 the speed of light in a vacuum, which affects the calculation of signal transmission times.
• The story's details, such as the 3ms delay, are likely exaggerated or simplified for entertainment purposes.
• The discussion around this story highlights the importance of considering user reports and information when troubleshooting technical issues.
• Some users appreciate the story as a 'campfire ghost story' that can inspire creative thinking about strange errors.
• The story's perennial popularity suggests that it has become a cultural touchstone in the programming community.
• The exact details of the story are less important than its role in sparking discussion and community engagement.