Everyone who is good with computers gets drafted into doing tech support for family and friends. If you haven't had to do it, don't worry: You will when you are done transforming into a Linux expert. After you have been using Linux for a while, you will be so good at problem solving that you will get family tech support requests regularly. This is the stuff that ranges from simply hooking up some hardware to walking someone through installing an operating system.
I was browsing online when a Gaim window popped up with an instant message.
(15:47:40) unclemarvin1950: i need your help!
(15:49:31) susan: did your head explode or something?
(15:49:48) unclemarvin1950: it feels like it.
(15:51:14) susan: what would be that bad?
(15:51:28) unclemarvin1950: i have to write something down.
(15:51:46) susan: i hear paper still works for that.
(15:53:02) unclemarvin1950: i want to use the computer. it's more secure since you stuck me on that linux thing.
(15:53:15) susan: :)
(15:54:34) unclemarvin1950: i need to know how to do stuff in a calendar, the address book and all of that in linux.
(15:55:11) susan: why is that an emergency?
(15:55:56) susan: i mean, ok, i can show you, but what's the big deal?
(15:56:17) unclemarvin1950: i have a date.
(15:56:29) susan: with a person?
(15:56:47) unclemarvin1950: :-P
(15:57:52) susan: hehe
(15:58:31) unclemarvin1950: i have to put the lady's name in the computer so i don't lose it. i might forget the date, too.
(15:58:55) susan: you haven't had a date since...?
(15:59:24) unclemarvin1950: um, 1978, i think. when your aunt and i dated before we got married.
(15:59:35) susan: ok, so, if this is such a rare, important event, why would you forget it?
(15:59:46) unclemarvin1950: i just need to know. help me.
(16:00:02) susan: ok, ok. well, let's start with evolution.
(16:00:11) unclemarvin1950: the e-mail thing?
(16:00:27) susan: yeah, the e-mail thing.
