At my job I write alot. In fact, most all I do is write. So I am very familiar with Microsoft Word. I use it every day of my life. But today something happened that has made me reconsider my use of Word.
I was innocently typing away when suddenly the paper clip “helper” popped up out of nowhere. I was confused as to why he suddenly appeared but thought nothing of it since I could easily make him disappear once again. So I proceeded to right click on Mr. Paper Clip and select the command to hide him from the drop down box. What happened next still sends shivers down my spine.
When I clicked to hide him, a box came up. This was not a normal text box in Word. But this box came as a small conversation cloud from Mr. Paper Clip. Kinda like how comic strips have those thought clouds or conversation clouds above characters to show that they are talking. Well it was like that. I had never seen it before.
The cloud said: “You’ve hidden me several times now. Would you like to turn me off permanently or hide me again.” Somewhat of a freaky analysis, yet that’s not where it stopped. I admit the message somewhat scared me, but as I looked closer I noticed that Mr. Paper Clip was staring at me with a mean look on his paper clip face. I mean, he was actually glaring at me!
I was beginning to seriously get scared. I mean, did this animated fellow actually have feelings? Was he upset that I had ignored him for so long? Was he upset enough to exact revenge upon me? Would he erase all my documents, thus essentially ending my life? What would happen?
As I was pondering these life-changing questions, I thought of a solution! It was brilliant! A sure-fire success! I slowly crept my mouse toward Mr. Paper Clip. I made sure he didn’t see me coming. Just then, I clicked “No, continue to hide me.”
Poof. As quickly as he came, he disappeared again. I was free. I could return to a normal life, a life of carefree writing. All fear was gone. All apprehension dissolved. I was free at last.
But I only hid him. That means he is still lurking in my computer, ready to strike again who knows when. That scares me.
