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Pin and chips
We now all live in a world where almost everything we do is controlled by PIN numbers. I have today taken stock of exactly how dependent we are on these combination of numbers and how without them we have major problems
I woke this morning and after entering the hallway was prompted to enter my alarm PIN number. After breakfast I turned on my laptop and desktop PCs which both requested PIN numbers. Using my mobile reminded me I needed a top-up via my credit card and, lo and behold, my pin was required to turn the phone pad on and again to allow use of my credit card.
To open my briefcase another 4 digit number was required and 30 mins later upon leaving the house my alarm had to be reset using a 6 figure pin.
Luckily my car CD/radio has a PIN preset that's only needed if power is lost. A call to the cashpoint needed yet another PIN.
Entering the company car park is controlled by PIN number - so is the main office door and several others in the building but these are not set by me and are harder to remember which leaves me stuck outside more times than I gain entry
Powering on any company IT device needs a PIN plus other security PINS depending on what level you need to access.
Leaving work again needs more PINs only this time where as I could not get into the office, this time I cannot get out.
Calling in at the shop for some stress-relieving fluid ( beer to you) and they want a PIN for my new chip and PIN credit card at last I get home and entering the house using a pin to turn alarm off I listen to my answering machine ( guess what - no PIN for this!) and after turning on the TV I have a broadband failure on both TV and computer. When I ring customer services they need a PIN identification number to even discuss the account with me to prove I am who I say I am.
This is sorted so I decide to select a pay-per-view video and this needs my customer service PIN to activate my chosen video.
A few beers later I hit the bed (after setting the house alarm with a pin) and fall into a deep sleep. I have a dream that I die and am waiting at the pearly gates but they wont let me in: "You need a pin number, mate" was the answer.
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