The first thing I saw on my computer this morning was a software update notice about Internet Explorer 5, having been updated to 5.1.4.

"This latest version - version 5.1.4 - resolves all potential security vulnerabilities in previous versions of Internet Explorer 5. This includes vulnerabilities that might have caused Internet Explorer to stop responding or caused a memory problem that compromised the security of the computer.

Wow. They've solved all potential security vulnerabilities! I'm afraid to run this updater... it's obviously going to delete the software from my computer.

One of the best things about being self employed is the quantity of free gifts sent to me by companies who want my business. A couple weeks ago I received a very nice pen with "Macrobyte Resources" engraved on it. It's very fancy. Of course, they want me to buy between 50 and 50,000 more! (Too bad.)

Even better: a couple of months ago I was sent a fancy, leather-bound Pocket-Pal with a 10 Year Anniversary logo on the front cover.

"Oh yeah!" I said. "Macrobte is ten years old this month!"

That was in February. This is April, and I'm just now mentioning it!?

We'll save the celebration until after Conversant is released. ;-)