Touching

I like Bill Gates. I am not saying that I’d expect him to be the most entertaining person in the world; but he is a good guy who has put his fortune to many uses trying to help ease suffering in various parts of the world.

However, Bill, do not come between me and my keyboard.

Today’s “Times” informs me that you plan to do away with both keyboard and mouse. The mouse is immaterial to me. But do away with the keyboard? It’s the piano of the written word; it’s the decipherable pen of bygone days; it’s speed, it’s rhythm, it’s happiness as you bash away.

For someone who grew up to the tune and the happy sound of an IBM golf ball and who has a typing speed which is almost off the Richter scale of typing pools your suggestion is a shock if ever there was one.

And, Bill, my dear fellow, how much more nerdy can you get, expecting “users to talk and use a pen to interact with their computers as well as CARESS them”? Why not get a hamster instead?

U