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• A 1989 tutorial on the latest version of Microsoft Word turned into an unlikely sleep aid
• More than three million viewers clicked on the outdated tutorial

A YouTube video dubbed “the most boring video of all time” has racked up more than three million views from a legion of fans hailing it as the ultimate sleep aid.

Ormond Beach retiree Randy Smith was working for Florida Marketing International when he recorded the two-hour lesson on an early version of Microsoft Word in 1989.

The silent marketer was alerted to the unexpected afterlife of his video explainer about outdated technology late last year when he received a message from a stranger thanking him for putting her to sleep.

But he remains coy about the success of his most popular work and its impact on his audience’s sleeping habits.

“Why someone who doesn’t care about Microsoft Word would look at it, especially such an old version, I have no idea,” he said.

The video opens with a throbbing ’80s electro beat and a spinning floppy disk before switching to Smith sitting at his desk in semi-darkness.

The lights come up to reveal a huge cube-shaped monitor perched at one end as the host begins to speak.

“Hello and welcome to MacAcademy,” he tells viewers. “My name is Randy Smith, and for the next few hours we’re going to be discussing Microsoft Word, going over the basics of this program,” he promises.

After a brief digression on the difference between word processing and desktop publishing, he lifts the lid on the mysteries of formatting, saving and printing documents.

But he has taught more people how to sleep than how to use Word, according to more than 10,000 comments posted since the video was uploaded by a fan a decade ago.

“I can’t remember how many times this video has helped me sleep. Thanks so much for uploading,” one fan wrote.

“I literally searched for ‘the most boring sleep video’ because it’s 5.18am and I have an online class at 9am,” wrote another.

“If you’re up for a real challenge, watch this at 0.25x speed!” suggests otherwise.

“At the end he says, ‘And the best way to learn this is to just sit down and watch this video a few times,'” another points out.

But those who watched through the program say those who opted out missed a masterpiece of a presentation from a man who delivered the entire program without notes in one piece to the camera.

“Look how far we’ve come with technology, it’s crazy!” wrote one. “Also, let’s take a moment and respect how this guy sat down and explained the whole thing, no cuts or edits!”

“As a teenager in 1989 I can assure you our definition of boredom was very different than it is today,” added another. “And I predict you’ll say ‘google it’ to your grandkids and they’ll laugh at you before talking to the droid instead.”

Smith isn’t the first teacher whose work has been repurposed for insomniacs, with some pointing to famed art instructor Bob Ross’s videos as helping them quit long ago.

And insomniacs have found sly and even disturbing humor in the smartly dressed Smith, who tells viewers at one point that “there is no hope button, nor can you press command+m for a miracle.”

Although any viewer who leaves shortly before the hour mark may wake up as Smith illustrates how to indent text using the example of an imaginary lease.

“I want you to keep your clumsy dog ​​off my brand new rug,” he wrote.

“If you don’t, I’ll shoot both you and your stupid dog. And so!

“I can’t decide if this is passive aggression or dark humor or whatever,” one viewer posted. “This cat is much more complex than we realize.”

“The comedic timing of the whole cut and paste joke is absolutely flawless,” wrote another. “And then they gave us a bottle of pasta … which we ate.”

YouTuber Jesse James posted a “sequel” to the video in November, featuring Smith offering “10 steps to boost self-esteem.”

“The subject matter is a bit drier this time, but Randy’s natural charisma and effective teaching are as great as ever,” James wrote.

“And yes, that legend is my father. He gets a kick out of being a viral sensation and sent me these tapes to bring more joy to those who enjoyed the original video.”

The Whamtan influencer titled Smith’s tutorial “the most boring video ever made” when he uploaded it to his YouTube channel in April 2014.

But even he is won over by the presenter’s professionalism and quiet charm.

“The subject may be dry, but Randy Smith is an absolute LEGEND,” he wrote.