Looks like our resident Silver Surfer, Daft Old Duffer, has been having some problems with his email package. Ed
Some of you will know I recently had trouble with my e-mails.
For the most part, this consisted of my server refusing to admit that the person or organisation I was trying to send to actually existed.
Fortunately, with the help of the VB Internet Computer Club forum gang I eventually got this sorted out.
But the episode has left me feeling yet more suspicious of my laptop’s motives.
I’m aware the youngsters amongst us will not understand this unease.
You remain ever confident that, provided you tap the right buttons, the electronicals will line themselves up, accurately and obediently and swiftly file off to the required destination.
You are as sure of that as I am that, having dipped my quill* in some black stuff, touched its tip to paper and waggled my hand appropriately, it will produce the correct inky marks.
Not so us oldies.
I am an engineer of some varied experience and can therefor explain how most things work. I can describe the function of a transistor, glibly mention semi-conductors and gallium sandwiches and what they do.
What I cannot tell you is why they do it. And therefore why I should trust them always and unfailingly to do it. As far as I am concerned it’s agin nature.
Sooner or later, in my experience,things always go wrong.
So, for people like me the assumption of correct function is not enough. I have known perfectly sensible people send an e-mail and then phone up to make sure it has been received.
I myself have never done this, but if I receive no response to my message within at the most 25 seconds, I begin seriously to fret.
It is not enough for the ‘send’ box to blink at me and then resume its blank and hostile stare. I need a message along the lines of: ‘It’s alright old ‘un, they’ve got your message at the other end. I personally watched the recipient read it, nod his head and even give a little smile. You can relax Old Timer,all is well’
At which point I will probably respond with ‘Thanks a bunch. But are you absolutely sure?’
*For a definition of ‘quill’ and ‘pen’ please refer to your dictionary.
Image: Mrs Gemstone
