A Website Dedicated to Computer Professionals...and some not so Professional

How To Install Software - A 12 Step Program
--author anonymous


1. Examine the software packaging until you find a little printed box
  that explains what kind of computer system you need to run the software.
  It should look something like this:

       SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
       -------------------
       2386 PROCESSOR OR HIGHER
       628.8 MEGAHERTZ MODEM
       719.7 MB FREE DISK SPACE
       3546 MB RAM
       432323 MB ROM
       05948737 MB RPM
       ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
       2 TURTLE DOVES
       NOTE: This software will not work on your computer.

2. Open the software packaging and remove the manual.  This will contain
  detailed instructions on installing, operating, and troubleshooting the
  software.  Throw it away.

3. Find the actual software, which should be in the form of either a
   3.5-inch  floppy diskette or a CD-ROM, located inside a sealed envelope that says:

       LICENSING AGREEMENT
       -------------------
       By breaking this seal, the user hereinafter agrees to abide by all
       the terms and conditions of the following agreement that nobody ever
       reads, as well as the Geneva Convention and the UN Charter and the
       Secret Membership Oath of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks
       and such other terms and conditions, real and imaginary, as the
       Software Company shall deem necessary and appropriate, including the
       right to come to the user's home and examine the user's hard drive, as
       well as the user's underwear drawer if we feel like it, take it or
       leave it, until death do us part, one nation indivisible by the dawn's
       early light,... finders keepers, losers weepers, ...

4. Hand the software to a child aged 3 through 12 and say, "(Name of child),
  please install this on my computer."

5. If you have no child age 3 through 12, insert the software in the
  appropriate drive, type SETUP" and press the Enter key.

6. Turn the computer on, you idiot.

7. Once again type "SETUP" and press the Enter key.

8. You will hear grinding and whirring noises for a while, after which the
  following message should appear on your screen:

       The Installation Program will now examine your system to see what
       would be the best way to render it inoperable. Is it OK with you?
       Choose one, and be honest:

                        +-----+     +------+
                        | YES |     | SURE |
                        +-----+     +------+

9. After you make your selection, you will hear grinding and whirring for a
  very long time while the installation program does who knows what in there.
  Some installation programs can actually alter molecular structures, so that
  when they're done, your computer has been transformed into an entirely new
  device, such as a food processor.  At the very least, the installation
  program will create many new directories, sub-directories, and
  sub-sub-directories on your hard drive and fill them with thousands of
  mysterious files with names like "puree.exe," "fester.dat," and "doo.wha.."

10. When the installation program is finished, your screen should display
the following message:

       CONGRATULATIONS!
       The installation program cannot think of anything else to do to your
       computer and has grown bored. You may now attempt to run your software.
       If you experience any problems, electrical shocks, insomnia, shortness
       of breath, nasal discharge, or intestinal parasites, you should
       immediately *!@!$)$%@&*^^)$*!#$_$*^^&

11. At this point your computer system should become less functional than the
   federal government, refusing to respond even when struck with furniture.

12. Call the toll-free Tech Support Hotline number listed on the package and
   wait on the line for a representative, who will explain to you, in a clear,
   step-by-step manner, how to adopt a child aged 3 through 12.