# You Americans are so computer illiterate! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 27, 2000, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-americans-are-so-computer-illiterate/38614 "2000-10-27T16:16:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MadHatter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MadHatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadHatter)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-americans-are-so-computer-illiterate/38614/1 "2000-10-27T16:16:22Z")
Well, at least if this guy is anything to go by. This was recorded on the answering machine of a computer tech support company: [http://www.angelfire.com/me/gold1000/idiot.wav](http://www.angelfire.com/me/gold1000/idiot.wav) ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-americans-are-so-computer-illiterate/38614/2 "2000-10-27T16:26:15Z")
That has got to be a joke. I remember seeing a similar gag in a Dilbert cartoon. I think the pointy-haired boss was too dumb, so Dogbert, the tech support, told him he’d have to have an $800 mousepad upgrade. Or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-americans-are-so-computer-illiterate/38614/3 "2000-10-27T16:48:56Z")
So I downloaded the file, and I get the following message: > [@](#): > > To excecute, hit any key I can’t find the “any” key anywhere!! Do I have an outdated keyboard? I thought my computer was good! This one even has the automatic cup holder!! Any help would be appreciated… * * * Yer pal, [Satan](http://www.members.tripod.com/jmspoofe/sdmb/satan.jpg) _I HAVE BEEN SMOKE-FREE FOR: Six months, two weeks, four days, 14 hours, 54 minutes and 8 seconds. 8064 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,008.10. Extra life with Drain Bead: 4 weeks, 0 minutes._ ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-americans-are-so-computer-illiterate/38614/4 "2000-10-27T16:52:07Z")
[http://www.techtales.com](http://www.techtales.com) This site is awesome. Stuff you wouldn’t believe. Jman ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2000, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-americans-are-so-computer-illiterate/38614/5 "2000-10-28T07:08:47Z")
[http://www.rinkworks.com/stupid](http://www.rinkworks.com/stupid) is page upon page of “computer stupidities” - fun to read, scary to recognize. ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2000, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-americans-are-so-computer-illiterate/38614/6 "2000-10-28T16:30:16Z")
or the email forward from the microsoft tech support guy, where he tries diagnosing by this guy’s screen is black. Power outtage.