Can I send abtrarary text content though the blockchain?

[the founder]

I have a really dumb question.   I know it would bloat the blockchain (if it's possible the in the first place),  however I would like to know if I could put a message on the blockchain using the default client (or any client for that matter).   The content must be stored in the blockchain and not just some site that does aliasing like blockchain.info ...   I am talking sending bitcoins to X with the message 'paid in full'  or something idiotic like that. 

I understand there might be some big fees.. but it's just a question I want to know.

[the founder]

For the record I haven't gotten a reply to this in 2 years

[kgo]

Text in the blockchain:

https://gist.github.com/lueo/1862634

[the founder]

You rock... but where can I view that on blockexplorer.com ?

and more importantly,  how did it get there?

[kjj]

That was generated by searching for ASCII strings in the block files a while back.

Embedding text in transactions and coinbases is possible, but not easy, not easy to view, not cheap and not encouraged.

[xane]

Yes.

http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/18/how-can-one-embed-custom-data-in-block-headers

[KeyserSoze]

Yes, you can fill the block chain with arbitrary text and you are encouraged to do so. Have at it! Be creative and lengthy by all means.

[Elwar]

Some people send ASCII numbers via satoshis.

[BurtW]

I have never used it but on the Custom send page in the blockchain.info wallet a box appears that says:

"Public Note"

Mouse over says:

"Add a note to this transaction which will be viewable on blockchain.info"

Also in the box it says:

"This message will be permanently embedded in the blockchain.  Anyone can read it."

I just sent some BTC to see what it looks like.  The transaction should be:

http://blockchain.info/tx/6bdde96ab3a680bfd028d21dd7d23c57bbc7c789c3eebc4e4d4b61e12481be93

But I do not see the note.