How wired are you?

A guide to techno addiction

Answer these questions and add up the points to see whether your communications technology has got on top of you:

1. Do you take your cellphone with you?: to the gym (2 points), the kids' Saturday morning matches (4), restaurants (6), movies (8), funerals (20). 2. How much time a day do you spend answering e-mails?: half an hour (2), an hour (4), between one and two hours (6), two hours or more (8).

3. Do you find yourself apologising for picking up the cellphone? sometimes (6), often (8).

4. Do you feel that you are running on a treadmill to cope with your electronic communications?: sometimes (4), often (6), nearly always (8).

5. Do you miss the internet if you're not on it (10)?

6. Do you think your local library has nothing to offer (10)?

7. Does your heart rate jump whenever the phone rings (10)

9. Have you acquired a nervous habit of fingering your beeper (10)?

10. Do you regale dinner guests with the power of your laptop's modem?: sometimes (6), often (10)?.

Scores:

* 4-10: You're using your technology instead of the other way around, or else you're a luddite.

* 10-20: You're probably okay -- for now.

* 20-44: You're an early sufferer of wired-itis.

* 44-62: You have a problem.

* 62 or more: Seek help.