For a guy who's been using his trusty Palm m505 for more than 5 years, it's a painful experience. Granted, she's outlived most of her peers in this digital age, where PDAs, like mobile phones, don't stick around after 2 years. Mine had an op once just shy of 2 years, and since then, she has been faithfully serving me by my side, like a dutiful secretary, except that she's alot more capable, has bigger and better memory, doesn't talk back or complain and works round the clock. All she asks for in exchange for her invaluable service is a regular charge to replenish her battery.
This morning, through a deeply regrettable moment of carelessness, I literally caused her to plummet to her death. I moved away a stool without realising that the hotsync cable was wrapped around one of its legs. She flew in slow motion through the air and landed with a thud, a sound that I didn't want to hear.
When I picked her up and switched her on, she responded weakly like an accident victim about to pass out. She mustered her best to smile at me and greet me as before. Her buttons worked alright but her screen was paralysed. No amount of tapping could make her respond. I suddenly realised that her whole existence and usefulness centred around the sensitive screen. Without that, she stares back at you blankly like a piece of paper. She's still personal, still digital, but an assistant no more.
I wept deep within me. It's like a part of me, a very capable part of me, is gone. Fare thee well, my beloved.
Thomas
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