Meg!! What a vision you create.... I know that many of my socks are out in space somewhere. And we too have a ferret who communicates on the computer. It is the odd boy "What about Bob?" he has twice snuck into the computer room when I ran to the phone and when I have returned I have not had a working computer again. The first time I couldn't figure it out the keyboard was locked , lights were flashing -- so I finally shut it sown to reboot... that didn't work either. Later that night Dino saved it -- Bob had done something ?? with the program macros??? so yes, they must be communicating with their other parties. This again happened and now I do not leave the computer room available and if I leave I take Bob with me. Dino has written all the commands down for me to follow should I leave Bob in the room, but I do not want him to do any more harm to this equipment-- My entire shelter stats etc are all in here!! Phew... little gremlins!! Alicia [Posted in FML issue 1735]