[Jokes] FW: [TTFF] some things never change
McKenna, Chris (RDSSW)
chris.mckenna at defra.gsi.gov.uk
Wed Jan 28 10:10:02 GMT 2004
-----Original Message-----
From: David
Sent: 28 January 2004 08:55
Subject: [TTFF] techie stuff
This came from a friend, I thought you might enjoy
David
The oldest technical manual in the English language.
http://art-bin.com/art/oastro.html
<http://art-bin.com/art/oastro.html> Share and enjoy! -- Paul D
It's a hands-on, how-to piece: "A Tretis [Treatise] on the Astrelabie
[Astrolabe]" written by Geoffrey Chaucer, in approx. 1391; it's
addressed to "Lyte Lowys" ("little Lewis"), whom Chaucer was trying to
assist.
Some things haven't changed much. I just got a new PC. Its manual
starts:
"The following pages display the front and back of your
computer. Use these illustrations to become familiar with your
PC and its connectors..."
What Chaucer wrote, 600 years ago, wasn't very different:
"The firste partie of this tretys shal reherse the figures and
the membres of thyn Astrelabie by cause that thou shalt have
the gretter knowing of thyn owne instrument...."
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
This email and any attachments is intended for the named recipient only. Its unauthorised
use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you have received it in error, please
destroy all copies and inform the sender. Whilst this email and associated attachments will
have been checked for known viruses whilst within Defra systems we can accept no
responsibility once it has left our systems. Communications on Defra's computer systems
may be monitored and/or recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for
other lawful purposes.
More information about the Jokes
mailing list