Like It Or Not, Microsoft Is Bringing “Clippy” Back

Just about anyone who tried to use an Microsoft Office program in the earlier part of this decade probably remembers "Clippy." He was an animated paperclip that would pop-up and try to "help" you with your office work. Odds are, if you do remember Clippy, you probably remember wanting to toss your computer monitor against a wall after the 7th or 8th time he interrupted your work to offer his services.

Guess what? Microsoft is bringing him back!

But don't worry...you don't have to deal with him if you don't want to.  After a few years of not having the cartoon paper clip around, Microsoft has decided to revive him as part of a learn-how-to-use-Office game called "Ribbon Hero 2: Clippy's Second Chance." But NOT as a regular part of any office software. According to CNN,

The game is just something you download to get better at using Office, if you want to. Clippy takes people through challenges in this game, but he doesn't show up automatically in Word, PowerPoint or Microsoft's other Office apps.

If you want to get the program you can download it from the Ribbon Hero website.

I, for one, will NOT be downloading it for any reason. I used to have nightmares about that freaky little paperclip while trying to write papers college. But maybe his roll in a program designed to train people in office will be a much better fit that he had before.

"Yes Clippy, I know I'm writing a blog post...no I would not like any help."

"No, I said I don't want any help.."

"Argh."

Photo from Flickr user Naufragio. ( FYI - The real auto assistant used correct grammar and stuck to office-related topics not "cheezburgers")