Resistance is Useless

Fished out my copy of Hitch Hiker's Guide to Galaxy the other day and start on the laugh riot again. The fun started even before I started on the book, the introduction itself setting the tone.
Adams recounts how he once while being drunk meets a succession of deaf and dumbs, his sanity saved only by discovering a hotel hosted a deaf and dumb convention! and then things get better.
What I wanted to mention was the Cybernatics corporation. while reading of the emotional computers and doors, i was struck by how Microsoft Office Help wizard almost behaves like one. Knowning the popularity of the book, is it possible that one of the original designers decided a tribute at user and Microsoft expense?