Timeline
From Super8
Timeline of Events
It begins
May 6
Bootlegged Super-8 teaser trailers are uploaded to Youtube (link)
- Whether it's "official" or not isn't known, however various teaser trailer bootlegs shown before Iron Man 2 have been uploaded to Youtube since May 6
Film reel at end of teaser leads to Scariestthingieversaw.com (link)
- After screen-capturing the frames showing a standard trailing end of a film roll, the words: "scariest thing I ever saw" were discovered, leading to the first viral website.
- This website displays a desktop with a hidden printable message, and a text interface which eventually leads the user to a countdown in the form of a file being downloaded very slowly (about 1 byte every 5 seconds). The full file is estimated to complete its download by 11pm Eastern, May 13th.
May 7
- The initial method of performing the 'countdown' file loading progress in bytes found on Scariestthingieversaw.com's PDP-11 Simulator resulted in varying results for different users. An update was made to the website to have the browser perform periodic server syncs in an attempt to keep everyone's countdown status as accurate and synchronized as possible. After analyzing this update, the server sync request was found to contact the file 'time.php' with a local timestamp, and returning the server timestamp from which the countdown status can be calculated for display in the browser. The result is confirmed as Thursday May 13, 8pm Pacific (11pm Eastern).
May 11
The teaser is made available online in HD, at Apple.com
May 13
The counter on the website Scariestthingieversaw.com ends and reveals a newspaper page with an ad that leads to another website named Rocketpoppeteers.com (link).
June 1
A new file "Braegen14" appears on the Scariestthingieversaw.com desktop
June 21
The printable message on Scariestthingieversaw.com is updated to include an extended conversation containing a picture.
June 28
Examining the latest picture revealed a zip code that was subsequently searched using Craiglist. Then the Craigslist Estate Sale was found. The pictures in that sale revealed a phone number for a memorial service. This eventually led to the discovery of Hooklineandminker.com.
July 15
Individuals who mailed in the Rocket Poppeteers coupon from the newspaper discovered May 13th began receiving mailed responses.
- The response letter welcomes you to the Rocket Poppeteers Astronaut Program, and provides an additional task, or puzzle, to become a certified astronaut.
July 23
The RocketPoppeteer twitter page became active, posting pictures from a traveling Poppeteers recruiting truck at the San Diego Comic-Con. People who show RP letters get a 'special surprise'.
July 28
A new printable message was discovered on Scariestthingieversaw.com. It appears to be the same printable message discovered 21 June but was updated to included an addition to the conversation.
The Craigslist Estate Sale items were removed.
The Hooklineandminker.com site was also updated with a post from Josh Minker.
The Rocketpoppeteers.com website became active.
August
August 2nd, 2010: Fly the Rocket SSF1 icon becomes active leading to the spaceship control panel. Nine different messages from Poppeteers Mission Control. Plus the five flavor fleets.
Hooklineandminker.com was updated twice this month.
- August 4th.
- August 21st. This post is used as a clue for the password to the chat session.
September
Hooklineandminker.com was updated on the 7th. Scariestthingieversaw.com was updated on the 9th.
- September 9th saw two updates. One to the printable chat log and then a new folder "Audio" with a new audio file was found, "untitled.mp3".
Rocketpoppeteers.com on Sept. 27th sent emails to people who registered with RP.com directing them to a survey on the site. Scariestthingieversaw.com on Sept. 30th a chat Icon appears on lower tool bar after clicking on the left hand arrow.
October
Scariestthingieversaw.com on Oct. 14th updated the printable chatlog.
- "Meet me at 4D & 5O's last leg. Bring the foghorn and the unexpected title." This is the clue for the password to the Chat, and also the time when the Chat will happen.
Hooklineandminker.com on October 20th is updated with a new post by Josh. Scariestthingieversaw.com Chat Icon goes active. on Oct. 21st.
- Using the Oct. 14 STIES update as the clues and the HLM.com blog and October calendar for the answers the password and date/time for the chat were discovered.
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