“On-Call: Identifying the Surprising Cause of Computer Failures – A Mohair Sweater Story”

Looking for a relatable tale of tech support triumph? Look no further than On-Call, the weekly column from The Register. This week’s installment features “Monty,” a computer tech in British Columbia’s lumberjack country. When the VP of Forestry started experiencing computer problems, Monty was stumped – until he noticed the luxurious mohair sweater draped over the back of the boss’s chair. Dry winter air and long fibers meant the sweater was generating static electricity, causing the VP’s keyboard to malfunction. Despite initial skepticism, Monty proved his hypothesis, earning the boss’s sheepish respect. Has a natural phenomenon ever caused a computer issue in your workplace? Share your story with On-Call – the mailbag is looking a little bare.