I'VE PROBABLY LEARNED a dozen newspaper systems over the years, and I'm about to face a new computer system tonight. I'm always a little leery at this point, because there's always a period — a minute, an hour or a day — in which I don't understand anything. Then, suddenly, a glimmer appears.
Years ago, I was a sports copy editor at a newspaper, and we were learning a new system. For a few minutes, I didn't understand a word they were telling us.
Then, one of the reporters, Gene, asked an intelligent question, and I didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about! For about two minutes, I was in panic mode. Then, it hit me.
If you punched the far-left key on the top row, the bottom row showed a set of keys. Then, if you hit the second key on the top row, the bottom row changed. And so forth. It was simple enough, but those few moments were frightening.
I'd rather not go through that again. And I probably will.
NOTE: I didn't have to learn that system. They decided not to hire anyone.
NOTE: I didn't have to learn that system. They decided not to hire anyone.
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Thanks. They've postponed it for a few days. We'll see how it goes.
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