Clifford Stoll, author of "The Cuckoos Egg" and "Silicon Snakeoil", says in the latter that libraries are becoming too computerized and losing the personal contact needed.

Bull 'taters, say I. Libraries are using computers as tools, but they still have story hours, still have book discussion groups, still offer personal help.

Or at least this one does. And as long as I'm Director it will continue to do so.

In music, I'm bothered by the ubiquitous "DJ" and his music machine. What ever happened to live music? To real, live, dance bands? To something created on the spot rather than being recorded earlier?

One of the joys of such television shows as Red Skelton was that it was live -- not "recorded before a live studio audience" but broadcast live. Flubs and all. Ad libs and all. And to see the performers enjoying themselves added to the enjoyment of the performance.

Same thing goes for music.

Rant machine is now in off mode.