I think that this a question of basic computer literacy, and not expertise in technology.
Security guard answers phone: Security, uh Norm, Norm speaking.
Date: Norman? This is Mr. Eddie Vedder, from accounting. I just had a power surge here at home that wiped out a file I was working on. Listen, I'm in big trouble, do you know anything about computers?
Norm: Uhhmmm... uh gee, uh...
Dade: Right, well my BLT drive on my computer just went AWOL, and I've got this big project due tomorrow for Mr. Kawasaki, and if I don't get it in, he's gonna ask me to commit Hari Kari...
Dade proceeds to get Norm to read him the number off of a modem at the TV station