Sadly, a help desk is IT jargon that means just the opposite

When I was 15, I understood computers. That was a long time ago and computers were a lot simpler than they are now. But I was, for a few years, one of the few people who actually knew what was going on inside the plastic box.

That has now changed. I can no longer claim to be particularly computer literate. I can get through the basics like e-mail and Microsoft Office, but set up a Wi-fi system, download television programmes from the internet, or work out why my printer sometimes just doesn't do anything at all no matter how politely I ask? No chance.

I am made to feel embarrassed about this quite regularly by my very helpful brother-in-law who is always available to sort out whatever computer problem I have. The only price I have to pay is to put up with his smirk when I admit that I don't know what some piece of esoteric computer jargon means and listening to him explain at length what he is doing, also generally in incomprehensible jargon.

That said, I am happy to accept my place in the world as one of the people who is no longer able to keep up with technology. I am also no longer able to fix my car, repair broken toys or make a mix tape, all of these things having been taken over by microchips.

But what I struggle with is that I still feel like I understand computers better than the people who work in our IT department. Not so long ago, I had the following exchange with something sarcastically called the Help Desk.

'I can't log on to my computer, I'm locked out for some reason.'