Abstract :
Our present world is full of Dorothys, scarecrows, lions, tin men-and yes, humbugs-all on a quest of simply living. And yet, in our increasingly computing-haunted world, a curtain exists between the general public and computer technology. For the most part, the public is amazed by and warms itself by the glow that arises from behind that curtain but is also content to leave said curtain closed. Similarly, we geeks labor behind our curtains, mostly remaining content in advancing the machinery of our inner sanctum to some perceived good. I say this not to disparage the innocence of the public or the technical focus of the geeks.