_Journal_ managers bragged how they’d throw the typewriters out of the
newsroom—Mahony’s security blankets. Instead, the paper might have
kept a few there for tasks like note taking. As a matter of fact,
that’s what actually happened. Also, Mahony recalls that the paper
computerized without at first having a printer in the newsroom,
meaning that staffers had to trust everything to the computer memory.
He would have felt more comfortable in the beginning with paper
backups. That’s a close one. Learning the Kaypro, I myself progressed
faster because I couldn’t use my printer at night without disturbing
the neighbors. I, however, was learning voluntarily. Mahony was
forced. Try to computerize with the old system intact in the
beginning—with paper records, in other words. Not only will your
Mahonys feel more comfortable; you’ll be better protected when the
computer glitches up. Sooner or later, they all do.