Another bright idea with just one little problem

Flashback to the 1980s, when the new computer room where this IT pilot fish works has been designed by the company's owner.

"Qualifications? What qualifications?" fish says. "His bright idea was to have the floor level with the rest of the office -- thus, no ramps."

But the cables that would normally go under a raised floor still have to go somewhere. The solution to that problem: Build the computer room over what's essentially a shallow swimming pool, so there's room to string the wire.

Along with the mainframe and the cabling that connects it to its drives and printers, the room has a huge air conditioner that also humidifies the room's air. But that's easy enough to deal with: The air-conditioning installers run the overflow pipes to the pool's floor drain.

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