Dick's manner of speech to Mary after days online is similar to the supercomputer, Hal, from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). There is another reference to the film during the end credits when Dick throws Mary's beeper away, with a theme similar to Also Sprach Zarathustra.
Mary tells Dick that in 3 years she had never once seen Dick use his computer. This is the first episode Dick has had a computer on his desk.
Based on Alissa's dialogue about it being Mary Steenburgen's birthday, when she, Tommy and Sally are watching "Entertainment Tonight," the episode apparently takes place on February 8th.