MULTISYS 1993
(Words byZan, tune "Kantrowitz 1972" by Jordin Kare)

CHORUS
You tap in the code and the keyboard goes dead,
The screen's full of garbage, the light's flashing red,
The system shuts down and we cry out in pain,
"They've started improving the software again!"

Our stock control system is really sublime,
We're finding new loopholes and bugs all the time,
But it's worked pretty well now for more than a year--
So a new improved version's just bound to appear.
CHORUS

The company sends systems analysts round
They look at the lists of the bugs that we've found.
With painstaking care our requirements we frame,
And they sell us a system that works just the same.
CHORUS

Our key personnel must be trained in the use
Of this spanking new system they're about to let loose,
So they go to Head Office to learn what's in store--
And they don't hear a thing that they've not heard before.
CHORUS

The great day has dawned and we're going online,
They've cleared up the bugs, they assure us it's fine,
We tap in the passwords to start up the tills--
Then the screens all go blank and we reach for our quills.
CHORUS

In a year or two's time, when we've got it in shape,
There'll be more new improvements, we just can't escape,
We prefer the old system, at least it would run--
Don't let anyone tell you computers are fun!
CHORUS