Reply #4: For sure! (on the "disposable" part)

[kentauros]

Fashion Over Function Keys
Tech Support | Glasgow, Scotland, UK | Tech Support

(I’m working as a trainer in a Internet service provider tech support team and I’m taking a call to show the new people how it’s done. One of my assistants is recording the call so we can replay it later.)

Me: “Welcome to tech support. How can I help you today?”
Caller: “I’m having problems writing an email. I just can’t seem to do it.”

(This ISP is known for its less tech savvy customers, so this is rather common.)

Me: “That’s okay. Do you see a icon like an envelope at the top of the screen?”
Caller: “Erm, yes!”
Me: “Okay, click on that.”
Caller: “Oh, a big box with 2 smaller boxes above it has opened up.”
Me: “Okay, one of those smaller boxes will say ‘To:’. Can you click on that, please?”
Caller: “Okay, done that. There’s a little flashing line!”
Me: “Good, now in that box, we’re going to type an email address. We’ll use mine as a test. It’s C-G-E–”
Caller: “Wait, wait! How do I put that in?”

(At this point, I’m wondering if the user can be this stupid.)

Me: “Well, on your keyboard, hit the letters C-G–”
Caller: “I can’t.”
Me: “Why?”
Caller: “I don’t have a keyboard!”
Me: “What?”
Caller: “Well, I threw it away.”
Me: “Wait. What? Why?!”
Caller: “It didn’t match the furniture!”

:P