Technology Through Our Eyes

Joe was doing a course on web designing at college. He was 17 and in his first year. His task was to design a website that will load quickly on even the slowest computer, be accessible by broadband, and immune to spam. Joe rubbed his hands together gleefully and set to work. He switched onthe collegecomputer,checkedthe broadband was on, and waited for it to start up. Something was wrong. The screen was flickering a strange blue colour, and not showing what it was meant to display. Confused, he looked round the back of his computer, where a hand was just disappearing from view. Joe stood up. The computers were arranged in rows back to back. At the back of his computer was the back of another, and sitting at that computer was Floyd. Joe groaned. Floyd had been picking on Joe since year 7, and Joe had thought that starting college would make him grow up abit. But no, it seemed that Floyd had just sabotaged Joe's computer. Joe decided to switch computers rather than make a fuss. The next one turned on properly, but would not connect to the broadband. Trying to keep his temper, Joe tried the next computer. The rest of the class had been working while this was happening, so they all had a head start. Gritting his teeth in frustration, Joe tried the third computer. This time, he was far away enough for Floyd not to be able to reach, so everything went smoothly. Joe relaxed. It was ok now, he would just carry on as normal. He brought up the programs and files he needed for his project, and opened his college email account. He was busy with the other windows and did not notice the files that were being downloaded onto the computer from thespamin his email. He only noticed when the virus shield turned red and informed him that a bug was attacking the whole college system originating from his computer. He was about to look up to see if his teacher had noticed when a heavy hand fell on his shoulder and told him to wait outside for a moment. Joe's gut filled with dread as he realised the teacher will think it was him deliberately infecting the whole system. When his teacher confirmed his suspicions, Joe told him about his own. He was suspicious that Floyd had sent him the spam to frame him and get him into trouble. Unfortunately, now the whole system was down, it could not be proved.As Joe waited outside the classroom for his teacher to finish dismissing the class and to outline to him exactly how much he would have to pay to repair the system, Floyd walked past. He grinned the same old evil grin the Joe had first seen when he was 11, and walked out of the room. Joe sat with his head in his hands. This had not been a good start of college.