The Virtual Classroom
Internet 101
Helping People Get Started On Their Journey
Supposedly true story
| Computer Phone Support Person | Person Calling In Said... |
| Techical Support, may I help you? | Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect. |
| What sort of trouble? | Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away. |
| Went away? | They disappeared. |
| Hmm. So what does your screen look like now? | Nothing. |
| Nothing?" | It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type. |
| Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?" | How do I tell? |
| Can you see the C:\ prompt on the screen? | What's a sea-prompt? |
| Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen? | There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type. |
| Does your monitor have a power indicator? | What's a monitor? |
| It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on? | I don't know. |
| Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that? | Yes, I think so. |
| Great! Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall. | Yes, it is. |
| When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?" | No. |
| Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable. | Okay, here it is. |
| Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer. | I can't reach it. |
| Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is? | No. |
| Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over? | Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle-it's because it's dark. |
| Dark? | Yes-the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window. |
| Well, turn on the office light then. | I can't |
| No? Why not? | Because there's a power outage. |
| A power... A power outage? Aha! Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in? | Well, yes, I keep them in the closet. |
| Good! Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from. | Really? Is it that bad? |
| Yes, I'm afraid it is. | Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them? |
| Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer. |
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