The Apple II is likely the first of the home computers to go from merely experiencing software piracy to being a place of pirate "Culture". Groups, alliances and lore begin rising up in the early 1980's, and continue throughout the decade. In the introduction screens of cracked Apple II games, groups list their memberships and declare pride for their work. Pirates jump through different groups, backstab, and generally exhibit the natural competitiveness of young computer users. As the pirates communicate through BBSes, they share messages, jibes, and "rag files" that attempt to decimate other, more inferior (in their opinion) groups.
Collected here are pieces of these legends and battles. It would be in the best interest of all involved to not believe anything said in them, although no doubt grains of truth run through them all. This is as good as it gets.
Announcement of the Release of Alien Mind by The Talisman (Rob) of First Class (April 18, 1988)
The Apple Mafia Story, as Told to Red Ghost
The Necromancer and Blacknight chat on The Double Bogus
The Blue Adept logs into The Moonlighting BBS's Last Day Online (May 12, 1989)
Announcement of Membership in the CtC by The Dee Jay (July 26, 1988)
The History of The Curse BBS by The Incognito (1988)
The Necromancer Announces the End of The Deathstar BBS (January 31, 1990)
The Deathstar Userlist as of 12/25/89, 35 days before it went down for good (December 25, 1989)
Writings about The Digital Gang, from Touch Tone (Apologies, Rags)
The Digital Gang: Rag File #2 by Lord Sauron of The Bunnymen and TOuch Tone of First Class (1986)
The Digital Gang Rag File #1 by The Cookie Monster (July 13, 1986)
Some Clarifications about Dungeon Master Bad Cracks by The Mercenary (February 12, 1989)
Some Rip Sessions: The Vassal, from The Deathstar BBS (August, 1989)
MESSAGES: Bagging on The Blue Adept, from The Deathstar BBS (June 28, 1989)
MESSAGES: Ripping on Blue Adept, from The Deathstar BBS (November, 1988)
MESSAGES: Brian Fist Returns, from The Deathstar BBS (January, 1989)
MESSAGES: A Blue Adept Wet Dream, from The Deathstar BBS (February, 1989)
MESSAGES: Mail to The Pusher from Blue Adept, from The Deathstar BBS (January, 1989)
MESSAGES: USAlliance releases of Times of Lore & Neuromancer from Deathstar BBS (November, 1988)
MESSAGES: Blue Adept Busted, from The Deathstar (August, 1988)
MESSAGES: The Truth About Blue Adept (January, 1989)
MESSAGES: The Truth about USAlliance from The Vassal (June, 1989)
Ethereal Exclusive User List (February 1, 1990)
A Prosthetic Penises Production File #2: "Group Revue" by The Pusher
First Draft of List of Apple II Pirate Groups (1989)
The Complete 9600 BPS Apple II/IIgs List Version 2.04 by Lucky (December, 1988)
MESSAGES: Fucking Around at Mind Bender's House from Apple Tree IIgs (December 9, 1988)
The Best Laid Plans of Pirates and Phreaks by RBOC Agent 003 (November 23, 1987)
The Blue Adept Saga on The Midnight Apple Dump (MAD) (1988)
The Pirate's Manifesto for 1994 (May 22, 1994)
The Tales of the Unknown Elite and The Martyr, as told by The Triton of Digital Gang
The Tales of the Unknown Elite and The Martyr as told by The Martyr "The Truth)
The Ray's GS Line Episode: "Bagging on the Martyr" (1987)
The Ray's GS Line Episode: "Bagging on the Martyr" (1988) (Part 2)
The Dethstar's 2500 Modem, from The Monitor BBS (1989)
The National Enlightener Volume 1: The Elite Commandments from Elite News Weekly
The National Enlightener Volume 2: Mega-Elite Interviews
The National Enlightener Volume 2b: To Be Elite
The National Enlightener Volume 3: Rags of the Elites!
The National Enlightener Volume 3b: Rags of the Elites!
The National Enlightener Volume 3: Rags of the Elites!
A Gift from the Necromancer, from The Deathstar BBS (February 10, 1989)
The Necromancer Joins Club 96 from The Deathstar (February 15, 1989)
MESSAGES: Blue Adept Trying to Save His Ass from The Pirate's Hold (April 25, 1989)
The Ray's GS Episode "Bagging on The Martyr" - Conclusion and Messages (1988)
Ultra Unboot Dox from Sorcerer's Apprentice (January 19, 1988)
MESSAGES: Mail to The Necromancer from Blue Adept from Red-Sector-A BBS (1988)
"My Day With The Secret Service" - by Incognito