Computer gender

[From Bill Powers 990731.1023 MDT)]

My daughter Allie sent me this --

A pastor of a church who was previously a sailor, was very aware that hips
are addressed as "she" and "her". He often wondered what gender computers
should be addressed. To answer that question, he set up two groups of
computer experts. The first was comprised of women, and the second of
men.

Each group was asked to recommend whether computers should be referred
to in the feminine gender, or the masculine gender.
They were asked to give 4 reasons for their recommendation.

The group of women reported that the computers should be referred to in
the masculine gender because:

1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.

2. They have a lot of data, but are still clueless.

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they
are the problem.

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited a
little longer you could have had a better model.

The men, on the other hand, concluded that computers should be referred
to in the feminine gender because:

1. No one but the Creator understands their internal logic.

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is
   incomprehensible to everyone else.

3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later
retrieval.

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending
   half your paycheck on accessories for it.

Best,
Bill P.