error 404

error 404 is a common occurrence throughout the Internet, though I've noticed it rarely happens in E2. The web browser comes to a URL that may or may not have existed at one time and may or may not exist in the future, but at the second you clicked to it, that server tells your browser it cannot be found. Although initially the 404 error was designed to assist in web browsing, minimizing the time spent on dead ends, it has over the years caused no end of consternation for many. It is frustrating to be looking for something and then told what you seek cannot be found.

Many servers just have a pat response which is sent to your browser, and a very boring 404 error appears. However, some more creative minds have taken the 404 error and turned it into a kind of game, or maybe just a medium for artistry. One website even has the entire code for the text-based game Zork built into its 404 error page, so you can play the game online right there in the 404 error. Other servers are told to send to your browser a funny picture or an astute saying to commemorate your arrival upon this virtual desert of destination. Some examples of 404 error pages are sheer brilliance, but finding them are few and far between, and it's difficult to find an example that would apply well inside a node such as this. I can't recreate the most exquisite and charming. You'll have to go out there and find them for yourself. Still, there is one little place which has a mildly interesting 404 error which I can utilize herein for purposes of demonstration.

The following is a list of 404 error jokes offered by the AngelFire Internet Service when you try to access the following URL, http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/js/jokefs.html, or any other similar page which no longer exists. However, besides getting one of the one-liners in the list below, the page itself is nothing interesting. In fact, it's got a banner ad, so the joke errors are probably so idiots like me will come along and inadvertently boost AngelFire's stats trying to see all the jokes. So I made a list of them and put them here, so you don't have to go to AngelFire and hit 'refresh' on your browser repeatedly. You're welcome. Each of the one-liners are accompanied by: "Actually, we couldn't find the page you requested. Please check the URL." So if it helps to find the humor in a given line below, just reread that after reading the joke, and maybe you won't lose out on the comic timing.

• Your lucky numbers for today: 4, 0, 4.
• Some folks can see dead people - can you see dead pages?
• A billion websites, and you had to pick this one.
• Your URL is an Unreliable Resource Locator.
• The page you requested is taking a coffee break.
• If you had a nickel for each time you hit an incorrect URL, you'd be 5 cents richer right now.
• This webpage packed its bags and moved to Toledo.
• CDIV (Et tu, Angelfire?)
• We have to stop meeting like this. Seriously.
• It only takes one wrong letter to hold back this page, not a nation of millions.
• On the internet, no one can hear you scream.
• Nothing to see here. Move along, buddy.
• Apparently, this page is not compatible with any browsers.
• The dog ate your webpage. Yeah, that's it.
• If you're reading this, it means this page is no more. It's probably not your fault.
• This page has moved to California to find itself.
• Hope you didn't pay too much for that URL.
• First crop circles and now this... Weird!
• If true happiness can only be achieved through a state of nothingness, you're going down the right path.
• Aliens must have abducted this page!
• OK, that's the last time we let you drive.
• You're disappointed? Mom wanted us to be a doctor.
• Wait, don't leave! Let's make our own webpage!
• The page you are looking for has spontaneously combusted.
• If at first you don't succeed, type, type again.
• That'll teach you to buy a "good as new" URL.
• It looks like the typing class your cat is taking is not 100% successful.
• Missing: One Home Page.
• This page is only viewable by Jimmy Hoffa, Amelia Earhart, Jim Morrison, and Howard Hughes.
• We sent this page to NASA for testing.
• Great, now you've gone and done it. You've broken the Internet.Way to go!
• Sometimes we like to get a little crazy and type in totally random URLs to see what happens. This is what happens.
• We didn't do it.
• You had better pull over and ask for directions.
• 'I remember when the internet only had a few pages, and they all worked' - 'Sure, Grampa...'
• If someone makes a webpage and gives the wrong URL, does it really exist?
• The page you wanted is taking a long lunch.

For even more fun with 404 error pages, check out the 404 Research Lab at http://www.plinko.net/404/area404.asp. Bon apetit!