What if driving a car was as hard as using a computer?
techsupport: "------------------------------------------------------

Operator: 'AA helpdesk, Dave speaking.'

Customer: 'I can't back out of my garage.'

Operator: 'Is that because the garage door is closed, or because your car engine isn't turned on?'

Customer: 'All I know is I could back out of my garage yesterday, and now I can't.'

Operator: 'Are you in your car at the moment?'

Customer: 'Yes.'

Operator: 'Okay, I'd like you to turn around and look through your car's back window for me. What do you see?'

Customer: 'Grey.'

Operator: 'Grey like clouds, or like a garage door?'

Customer: 'Like a door.'

Operator: 'It sounds like your garage door is closed. You'll just need to open it, and you'll be able to back out.'

Customer: 'Look, I don't understand any of this automotive stuff. I just want to drive my car.'

Operator: 'Okay, first I'd like you to open your car door.'

Customer: 'How do I do that?'

Operator: 'Look for a catch on the door that you can pull towards you.'

Customer: 'I found it, but all that's happening is the window's rolling down.'

Operator: 'That must be the window button. What you need is a catch you can pull, instead of pressing.'

Customer: 'Okay, I found it. Something went click.'

Operator: 'Now, push the door open and put your feet on the ground.'

Customer: 'I pushed the door... what was that second thing you said?

Operator: 'Put your feet on the ground.'

Customer: 'Okay.'

Operator: 'Now, stand up and walk towards the garage door.'

Customer: 'Is this far enough?'

Operator: 'Are you at the door?'

Customer: 'No.'

Operator: 'Keep walking until you reach the door.'

Customer: 'Okay, now what?'

Operator: 'Pull the handle up.'

Customer: 'It's moving!'

Operator: 'Push it all the way up, then get back in your car.'

Customer: 'Okay, I'm backing out of the garage now. But how did the door get closed in the first place?'

Operator: 'I think someone must have closed it after you drove into the garage last night.'

Customer: 'That's just not possible, we never do that.'

Operator: (Wearily) 'Well, garage doors can sometimes close all by themselves.'

Customer: 'How does that happen?'

Operator: 'Gravity.'"
- posted by Sophont @ Thursday, June 09, 2005