There might be a teenie, weenie, little distraction that could possibly delay your ability to continue doing what you .........

Where do you go to school to specialize in a job to come up with the text for error messages on computer programs?

I seriously need to visit those classes. Hopefully, error messages aren't something you'll see often, but if you do, well, then the message should be direct and to the point.

We got some updated software recently and I've seen my share of error messages that appear to have been developed by someone who didn't want to be too direct or commital. Instead of the "OK" I think it should say "ah shucks"

And the heartbeat ?!? The Tin Man didn't have a heart - neither does my computer. But I must say, if my computer does have a heart, then it needs to see a cardiologist.

And here's something that makes me scratch my head. When the "heartbeat" problem results in being disconnected, I then have to click out, so I can log in again. When I do this, I get a box that states, "Are you sure you want to quit?" ------- what's that all about?

Ain't that America

I was driving down the road with the top down on my Camaro. I had just grabbed a quick hot dog and as I drove through town, I noticed some kids playing baseball in the field.

Then the ditty from old TV commercials popped into my head, "I love baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet."

Now, it's stuck in my brain - I want some apple pie. It's funny how things like that stick in your head.

Another soundbite that I've been blasted by lately is, "High fashion hair with a home town style, that's what you'll find at Shear Illusions. Get the look that you've been looking for ..." (the video and audio clip plays for 31 seconds each time I navigate onto the East Oregonian Web site - which is quite often during any given work day).


I was getting my hair done the other day by Loretta Lowrance, owner of Shear Illusions, and she said she hasn't gotten a chance to hear or see it much. I pretty much recited it for her.

Anyway, I often wonder the impact of advertising. Before Christmas another video/audio clip played on the EO Web site about diamonds. The funny thing is, now six months later I can't remember who the advertisement was for - yet I heard it a multitude of times during the holiday season.

Although the ditty from the 70s commercial was to boost sales of Chevy vehicles, all I'm thinking about right now is wanting some apple pie. Anyone reading this can feel free to bring a piece to the East Oregonian office at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston.