MV Greenpeace / PC 8023
May 28, 1996
Noon Pos: 8 26'S 151 11'E
Day 12
It has been another day of rolling around.
Three o'clock this morning Jeannette and I stood outside the
bridge and chanted a `sea calming spell' but as of yet it doesn’t
seem to have taken effect.
It seemed a very ho hum kind of day today. Most of the crew have
stopped talking with me. I guess they're uneasy about how I may
interpret what they say, then repeat it in the daily diary.
A hardcase aspect of writing this diary is I have suddenly had
to learn how to use a computer. Something up until now I have
successfully avoided.
The office where I type the diary every morning is next door to
the radio room where Neil works. Fortunately for me, Neil has been
extremely patient in trying to impart some basic computer skills.
Unfortunately for Neil, computers are not something I catch onto
quickly.
Many people rave on about what wonderful technology they are, but
I get no joy from a machine that purposely tries to upset me.
First of all, instead of the pleasure of words flowing from a
pen, there is a horrible key board. I seem to only be able to co-
ordinate two fingers for typing and that is after I've searched a
few seconds for the letter I want.
At least once in every `computer battle', something absolutely
bizarre will happen. Suddenly all my words will disappear or they
all scrunch together, sometimes a trick question jumps on the
screen.
`Are you sure you want these modifications made?' Y/N
I frown in disbelief,` What modifications!!!'
If I say yes something really dramatic may happen, if I say no it
will probably give me another ten trick questions. Weird beeps
have started emitting from where the disk is, the printer can
sometimes gobble the paper or keep on whirring it out.
This morning everything was going well, not once did I need help
from Neil. Then just like magic the screen went blank! This
happened twice until I realised my leg was knocking the key that
disappeared things. I hear you ask......what is my leg doing up
by the keyboard? I was resting it there, braced against a book
shelf, to hold myself in the chair, in front of the computer, so
as the ship rolled I would not go flying out the door.
The good side is, that each day that goes by I do become a little
more computer friendly.
Tanya Popp
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