Feedback: Programmed madness

'Customised Madness' (24 June): I once sat from 10.30pm until 2.30pm whilst a professional programmer wrestled with an unfamiliar program to prouce a grid for a timetable. I subsequently drew up the same grid to camera-ready standard using a ruler and a thin felt tip pen - it took three minutes and 50 seconds.

Would Andrew Brown be able to consider using his own brain, a pocket calculator and a biro to fill in his expenses form, or would that be too sensible? There is no need for him to jump off Hungerford Bridge. It might be a good plan to throw the computer off, though.

Chris Bell

Bristol