Mahir Cagri
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Internet_mahir.jpg
Mahir Cagri (in Turkish Mahir Çağrı) a resident of Izmir, Turkey, became an Internet celebrity in 1999. His picture-laden personal homepage, which exclaimed in broken English his love of the accordion and travel, was visited by millions and spawned numerous fansites and parodies.
Mahir claimed in various interviews that his personal webpage was hacked, with additions such as "I like sex" embedded into his webpage. The site was originally hosted on the now defunct XOOM website which offered customers 10mb of space for free, a large amount for the time. XOOM advertised Mahir on their front page during the mania.
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Causes
Mahir Cagri's website was quickly spread through word of mouth on the internet. The website came at a time when "Internet phenomenon" was a new concept for internet users, media, and the curious public. Novelty pages such as Dancing baby and The Hamster Dance created a precedent of mass viewing for Mahir's page.
Reactions
Proficient internet users created new content inspired by Mahir's page, to capitalise on the millions of visitors. Flash based games, parody MP3's, and countless mirrors added to the phenomenon. End-users also participated taking group photos holding signs with some of the webpage's various catchphrases. These were sent to Mahir or placed on other websites.
Quotes
- "I KISS YOU!!!!!!"
- "Who is want to come Turkey I can invitate..." (invitate: supposed to be meaning "invite")
- "She can stay my home..."
- "I Like sex."
See also: Internet phenomenon
External links
- The original Mahir page (http://www.istanbul.tc/mahir/mahir)
- I Kiss You! (http://www.ikissyou.org/)
- Mahir Cagri Fan Page (http://www.geocities.com/dunric/mahir.html)
- "More Mahir Mania" (http://www.salon.com/tech/log/1999/11/08/more_mahir/) - Salon.com, November 8, 1999
- Istanbul.tc's tribute to Mahir Cagri (http://istanbul.tc/mahir/)
- Nosferatu parody (http://cztoondb.tripod.com/orlockmahir.htm)