Know someone who needs this sorta computer help?

Clearly this is why viruses get about so quick ;)

[j4mes]

The fact that Compaq are having to deal with people like this regularly enough to write a FAQ might explain why millions of people still open email attachments called document.txt.exe and wonder why nothing happens... :P

[web14.compaq.com...]

Anyone got any more?

[Essex_boy]

Oh boy.

[sslcheap]

It simply means to strike any one of the keys on your keyboard or handheld screen.

Notice how they had to phrase it carefully so users wouldn't think a "key" is something they must use to "unlock" the computer. :0

[vkaryl]

Oy.

*winces*

[TheDoctor]

I'd like to know how frequently the question is asked. I know some pretty computer-illiterate people, but I've not come across anyone who's interpreted the message as refering to an "any" key.

[MatthewHSE]

Oh my. Come into Foo to get a mid-afternoon fix and find this . . . what a hoot! (And I must say I don't personally believe this could actually be a "frequently" asked question, but then again they felt they had to answer it . . . )

[grelmar]

I do believe it's a frequently asked question.

Why? Because I've had a couple of the "grandma" generation ask me exactly that question.

It's a generation gap issue, methinks. Before computers, there were many devices without a keyboard but with a simple rack of labeled "buttons". In that sort of framework, if the manual told you to hit "any key" you WOULD expect there to be a key, or button, labeled "any".

Given that the modern computer keyboard is actually a mixture of a traditional typewriter keyboard, and a function specific rack of buttons, (with "keys" like Delete, Insert, Page Down, Home, etc.), I'll give certain groups the benefit of the doubt about relative intelligence when they ask questions like this.

[PhraSEOlogy]

Phew! I am glad thats been cleared up ;-)

[HelenDev]

Homer Simpson: "Where's the any key? There doesn't seem to be any any key!"

[j4mes]

Here's the quote in all its glory :)

To start press any key.

"Well where's the "any" key? I see Esk, Ctarl and PigUp. There doesn't seem to be any any key! Phew. All this computer hacking is making me thirsty. I think I'll order a Tab. (Presses tab key) Oop! No time for that now, the computer's starting!"

[kodaks]

From around the internet:
---------------------------------------
Tech Support: "How much free space do you have on your hard drive?" Customer: "Well, my wife likes to get up there on that Internet, and she downloaded ten hours of free space. Is that enough?"
---------------------------------------
Overheard in a computer shop: Customer: "I'd like a mouse mat, please." Salesperson: "Certainly sir, we've got a large variety." Customer: "But will they be compatible with my computer?"
---------------------------------------
Customer: "Can you copy the Internet for me on this diskette?"
---------------------------------------
Tech Support: "Ok Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at thesame time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen.Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: "I don't have a 'P'."
Tech Support: "On your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "What do you mean?"
Tech Support: "'P' on your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "I'm not going to do that!"
---------------------------------------
:)

[trillianjedi]

Er, how did you find that j4mes?!

[tombola]

If keyboard manufacturers would print "Any" on the space bar, there was no problem at all...

[mivox]

how did you find that j4mes?!

It's a Simpson's quote... from the episode where Homer became morbidly obese so he could qualify as disabled and work at home.

[j4mes]

Er, how did you find that j4mes?!

Mivox and I watch waaaaaay to much Simpsons :D ok, so I'm a student, that's my excuse... mivox? ;)

[vkaryl]

Hmph. Grel, I take exception to the "grandma" generation statement....

[mivox]

excuse

To borrow a phrase from an old college friend: My mind is a steel trap for useless information.

(mitigating info: I couldn't have actually quoted it, I just recognized the quote... ;) )

[Macguru]

Funny, on the computers I use since over 20 years, I just kept on pressing any key to go on with work. I never was interrupted with a blue screen telling me to press "any key" to continue, just to see it miserably fail on me, whathever that misterious "any key" was.

[grelmar]

Hmph. Grel, I take exception to the "grandma" generation statement....

Sorry, wasn't meant to be all inclusive... just that's the generation I've heard the comment from.

[vkaryl]

That was a sideways snipe of a joke, grel....

[j4mes]

I couldn't have actually quoted it

Me neither, I just fed what I remembered into Google and posted what it spat out. Honest. :)

[mivox]

Sure j4mes, sure... ;)

[Reflection]

Pick any card...

Which one is the any card?

[j4mes]

lol!

Here's another for mivox ;)

Oh, so they have Internet on computers now?

J.