[Rushmore]

Interesting, but I think the following sentence actually helps my case:

[ QUOTE ]
Thus the sentence The teachers were unable to use the new computers might mean only that the teachers were unable to operate the computers, whereas The teachers were unable to utilize the new computers suggests that the teachers could not find ways to employ the computers in instruction.

[/ QUOTE ]

The former seems to denote the most simple effort, while the latter seems to denote an actual practical endeavor.

I don't know. Damn, I seem to have pissed people off again.

Sorry, guys.