He Hit the Keys But Couldn't Continue

I think you'll get more out of this post if you read yesterday's post "Hit Any Key to Continue."

After reading my rant yesterday embodying some of my strong frustrations with aggravating computer systems, maybe you wonder why I didn't hit the damn thing with a mallet. Yes, I know my wife locked them up. But that's a solvable problem. Worst case, the hammer and mallet stores were open.

Many, many, many years ago (before I had distinguished gray in my hair), I was in the computer business. We had a service bureau (look it up if you are not sure what those were), sold minicomputers and also provided software services including programming.

One day, one of my best software technicians, a person who could write in many languages including BAL (Basic assembly language), got completely aggravated with a balky computer system. "Damn it," he said, as he jumped up and swung his fist, just missing the keyboard and hitting the desk hard. To his amazement, all of the characters on his screen split in half. We needed to place a service call so the hardware folks could fix the problem.

I sympathized with my software technician. I think most of you can understand his frustration as well. And that's why, as much as I want to, I don't hit the aggravating computer with my fist, a mallet, or anything else for that matter.

G'Day!

About me: Dan Pelley's career experiences range from the shipping room to the boardroom and the college classroom. He has worked in companies as diverse as metal stamping, foundries, pharmaceuticals, computers and electronic components, hospitals, nursing homes, motor carriers, distribution, retailers, social services, government, quasi-government agencies, a major art museum and an airline. He shares his experiences through programs and seminars for companies in New England and through this blog.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
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