Yeah... that was how I found out about most of that stuff back then... I was doing that with Windows 2K and an early cable modem (like 5Mbps/512Kbps level)
Of course, that was before the company that it was through blew up a section of downtown. I know all about living on forums and chatrooms (I was a fixture in the SpyWareInfo room and board until they closed)
Actually, the only thing that wasn't stolen at the Louvre's Apollo Gallery is the Regent Diamond, figure no one would take it because something to do with a curse.