Sometimes it’s the computer. Usually it’s just me.

The instructions for my way cool new Wacom Intuos 2 installer read, “Before installation, plug your tablet into an available USB port in the back of your computer.”

Laptop: USB 1, keyboard; USB 2, mouse. I yanked out the keyboard jack, so I could keep roving the screen, and plugged in the tablet. The red light went on as expected.

The instructions continued: “You should not have any other programs running when you install the drivers for the tablet. Quit all open applications before continuing.”

It was several minutes after I clicked into Internet Explorer that I finally figured out why apple-Q! APPLE-Q! wasn’t doing anything.