Is there one on your network? Someone who doesn't believe in the technology revolution; who would rather use an abacus than a calculator; who writes everything in longhand; who has just mastered the intricacies of the fax machine. Sometimes they just have to grit their teeth and tackle that mysterious PC. Who do they ask for help?

Strangely, I consider myself fortunate, from an anthropological point of view, to work with such a person, a confirmed dyed-in-the-wool luddite, as Geoff.

Here's just a selection of the questions he asked me over one week -

Q. Why doesn't this word-processing software work?
A. Its waiting for you to type something.

Q. How do I get the cursor to move?
A. Try one of those arrow keys or even the mouse!

Q. Why can't I log on to the network, is it because my password has expired?
A. Could be, could be...

Q. Why can't I see what I typed on the previous page?
A. Try pressing the PageUp key.

Q. Can I put my photo on the screen without using the scanner?
A. Er, let me think....NO!

Needless to say, he always offers me his eternal gratitude when I solve these insurmountable problems for the poor man.

If you feel a strange affinity with such a person, please feel free to mail Geoff, through me, and I promise to help him to reply...sometime.

There's just nowhere to go but back to Moosejaw's House in the Woods.