Joke

Generation gap

IT man is teaching a course in computer literacy at a local community college.

"I was discussing the operation of the earliest mainframes," he says, "when a student raises her hand and sheepishly asks how a vacuum tube could be used as a switch."

The man, who used to be an electronics hobbyist, quickly sketches a schematic drawing that shows a tube's anode-cathode grid configuration, as he simultaneously gives a general explanation of an electron cloud, just in case that was necessary.

"Still no understanding," says he.

So he puts it more simply. And more simply still. And finally zeroes in on the problem.

"Her understanding of 'vacuum tube' was strictly focused on that silver thing sitting at the end of the hose she uses for cleaning her drapes," he sighs.

"He now shows a picture of a vacuum tube at the beginning of this discussion."