This week, we got a tremendous number of new subscribers to Logical Tips because Computor Companion was mentioned in a newsletter put out by the largest ISP in New Zealand, Xtra Limited. The author, Max Newmann, said of CC that it’s “friendly, informative and good humoured. In fact, much like a companion should be.”
It’s always so satisfying when someone really “gets” what we’ve been trying to do with Computor Companion since 1999. Of course, amidst all the flurry of activity, we had many questions as to why we spell the name of the magazine Computor (with an “o”), instead of Computer (with an “e”). Most of the queries I received were nice and polite, and I referred them to the FAQ page.
which says…
“The theory behind the name is that a computOr is one who computes, as opposed to a computEr, the machine itself. We figure that the machine doesn’t need a companion, but maybe the people operating those computers could stand a little sympathy and support. It’s not necessarily a real word, but one that’s been used a number of times for other magazines. (Linguists might refer to it as a word in transition.)”
Of course, every once in a while we get some English-language nut who feels that this intentional misspelling is some type of personal affront. Even after reading the FAQ page, it’s not enough for these self-appointed “spelling police.” Nope, these people feel compelled to send nasty emails about how we must not have the “necessary expertise” in the English language to spell the word computer correctly.
You have to wonder about these people who have nothing better to do than to wander around the Internet sending nasty emails denigrating those of us who are trying to provide free, helpful information online. I mean there have got to be seven gazillion computer sites out there. What kind of pathetic individual gets their jollies by being so mean? For the record, I do not dignify these types of emails with a reply. My mother always said, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Plus, the last thing I need is to get into some email fight justifying business decisions I made seven years ago.
So to those people who get so dreadfully upset by spelling and made-up words, I refer you to Yahoo, Google, Kleenex, Kodak, and yes Krispy Kreme (with TWO misspelled words). All those millionaires are taking their made-up, misspelled words to the bank. I only hope someday I can join them 😉