Sudo mail order

A blast from the past!

"Sudo mail order" is a phrase that was popular in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in the UK. It refers to a type of mail-order catalog that allowed customers to order products over the phone or by mail, using a "sudo" (short for "sudo code") to identify themselves.

Here's how it worked:

1. You would receive a catalog from a company, usually by mail or through a newspaper advertisement.
2. You would find the product you wanted to order and note down the product code.
3. You would then call the company's phone number or write to them with your order, including the product code and any other required information (e.g., name, address, payment details).
4. The company would then verify your identity using the "sudo code" (usually a series of numbers or letters) that was printed on the catalog.
5. Once verified, the company would process your order and send the product to you.

The "sudo code" was a security measure to prevent unauthorized orders and ensure that only legitimate customers could place orders. It was a common practice among mail-order companies, especially those selling high-value or sensitive products.

While "sudo mail order" is no longer a common practice today, it's still a nostalgic reminder of the pre-internet era when ordering products online was not yet possible.