“Software Rights Activists Expose ‘PETS’ Watch List: The Cruel Reality of Software Testing”

New York – People for Ethical Treatment of Software (PETS) announced today that seven more software companies have been added to the group’s “watch list” of companies that regularly practice software testing. “There is no need for software to be mistreated in this way so that companies like these can market new products,” said Ken … Read more

“Divine Programming: The Creation of IBM”

In the beginning, there was chaos and the Universe was without form and void. The Lord looked upon His domain and decided to declare His presence. “I be,” he said, then to correct his grammar added “am.” If the Lord had decided to work on irregular verb conjugation first, this wouldn’t have happened. God would … Read more

“The Deadly “Fighting Canaries” Email Virus: A Comedy of Chaos”

If you receive an email entitled “Fighting Canaries,” delete it immediately. Do not open it. Apparently, this one is pretty nasty. It will not only erase everything on your hard drive but also delete anything on disks within 20 feet of your computer. It demagnetizes the stripes on all of your credit cards. It reprograms … Read more

“Spell Check Shenanigans: The Proofreading Paradox”

There are no mistakes in this newsletter because we used special software which checks your spelling. It is more or less a way to verify. However, it cannot correct errors in punctuation or usage, and it will not find words which are misused but spelled correctly. For example, a paragraph could have many flaws but … Read more

“Tech Support Humor: The Infamous ID Ten T Error”

Judy was having trouble with her computer, so she called Tony, the computer guy, over to her desk. Tony clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. As he was walking away, Judy called after him, “So, what was wrong?” And he replied, “It was an ID Ten T Error.” A puzzled expression ran … Read more

“Software Purchase Disclaimer: Read at Your Own Risk!”

Disclaimer to be used when purchasing software: This check is fully warranted against physical defects and poor workmanship in its stationery. If the check is physically damaged, return it to me and I will replace or repair it at my discretion. No other warranty of any kind is made, neither express nor implied including, but … Read more

“Tech Troubles with GirlFriend Software Versions”

Dear Sir, I’ve been having some conflicts between programs lately. I’ve been running the original version of DrinkingBuddies 1.0 as my primary application and all the GirlFriend releases I’ve tried have always conflicted with it. I hear that DrinkingBuddies won’t crash if GirlFriend is run in background mode and the sound is turned off. But … Read more

“Milked for Laughs: Keyboard Conundrums”

I’m sure you’ve heard the old story referring to optimism and pessimism that is determined by whether you think the glass is half-empty or half-full. Here are the reactions when somebody leaves a half glass of milk next to the keyboard.