Vista… the OS that Wipes Your Ass and Clogs Your Toilet

4 Comments »January 13th, 2008

We all know that Vista is a shitty operating system, but I’ll bet you didn’t know that it also dispenses toilet paper and comes with a free plunger. Aero never looked so good… next to a toilet. Always remember to wash your hands after each use.

Microsoft Bob. The Graphical Interface that Wasn’t

5 Comments »December 4th, 2007

Bob, for those of you who don’t know, was Microsoft’s misguided effort to develop a friendly graphical interface for common consumers, back in the mid-1990s. Apparently Microsoft believed that home users were too either stupid to use a computer or lacked the aptitude and adaptive learning to ever use one. The solution they came up with was to turn Window’s desktop shell into a hideous task-based cartoon environment, complete with animated characters. The idea never took off, fortunately, but from Bob’s ashes rose an even more dreaded figure that would make it’s way into MS Office; the infamous “Clippy” office assistant.

Punked by Windows Activation

No Comments »June 5th, 2007

A strange surprise awaited me when I booted up my Vista PC this morning; something had apparently tripped Microsoft’s infamous Windows Genuine Advantage either during the previous shutdown or startup. An alert window appeared on my login display demanding that unless I activate (actually re activate) my copy of Vista immediately, WGA would henceforth hold my PC hostage. In Lehman’s terms Vista would operate in “reduced function mode” until reactivation would allow me back into full user-rights mode. Great way to start off a morning, especially since this workstation contains much of my work for paying clients!

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Windows Vista: The Whoa starts now

No Comments »March 4th, 2007

Chris Pirillo is dumping Vista. The well known Windows enthusiast and long time blogger has had enough with the many numerous issues afflicting this new Windows release, and is “upgrading” to XP. He shares his experiences in a blog entry, outlining the reasons for his decision.

He writes…

Sorry, I… I gave Vista a real chance. I just can’t use it as my primary OS anymore. It’s NOT horrible at its core (by any stretch of the imagination). If all of your hardware and software are fully baked, you’re good to go - but that’s not the world I live in. I will continue to recommend Windows Vista for some users, mind you. I wish I could take the best parts of Vista and bring them back with me to XP. I’m still more than willing to help Microsoft improve Windows and get the message out to users, but I simply can’t sacrifice my own time and productivity without benefits in clear sight.

His experiences largely mirror my own, particularly his assessment of Vista’s state of being as an OS that feels like its still Beta code. That’s exactly what I have said as well. Microsoft released this product too soon. In stark contrast, Windows XP was so stable during beta stages of development that I was using it as my primary operating system back when it will still in Beta 2 stage. The quality was that good. Unfortunately Vista doesn’t share that same level of stability even in its final release.

I have encountered many numerous issues that have me pondering a similar switch. In my case I am a multi-platform user, booting between Mac and Windows, so when Vista drives me up the wall I simply use my right-brain (the Mac). But for someone using Vista as their sole platform, the situation can be untenable.  

Unreleased Windows Vista Wallpapers Available for Download

1 Comment »February 28th, 2007

The name Hamad Darwish may not be a household name, but if you are using Windows Vista chances are you’re already familiar with his work. Microsoft commissioned this well known Flickr photographer to shoot high resolution imagery for inclusion in Vista as desktop wallpapers. So the background you’re probably using now as your desktop is the work of Hamad.

Surprisingly a number of spectacular images he produced for Vista didn’t make the cut, and were not included in the final release. Hamad is now making these previously unreleased images available for download on his personal website, which I encourage everyone to visit.

These desktops are stunning, especially the first selection below which is my personal favorite.

Download the entire wallpaper pack
It’s like crack, for your computer screen. Enjoy!

Source: Windows Vista Blog

Confessions of Heresy: Why I like ZUNE

No Comments »February 26th, 2007

I have a dark secret. A secret so ignominious that its revelation will bring terrible shame and ridicule from my peers. Confession is good for the soul. My secret? I like ZUNE. There…I said it. Yes, you heard me correctly.

Technorati Tags: MP3, Music, Zune

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Windows virus, Now Free with Every iPod

No Comments »October 19th, 2006

Dozens of happy new Windows based iPod users found an unexpected surprise in their iTunes playlists; a Windows virus!

Granted, this is old news by now but in light of the totally hilarious nature of this story, I simply could not let it pass without posting something. Believe it or not, this incident truly was merely an unfortunate accident, and not as nutsack conspiracy theorists suggest…a deliberate act. According to the news wire, a batch of 5.5 generation iPods were inadvertently infected with a Windows virus, while in manufacturing, during (ironically) quality control testing when docked with a host PC which was apparently infected with a virus. The infection, both on the test PC and as well as attached iPods, went unnoticed until large quantenties of said iPod units had already shipped.

Perhaps Apple should begin selling downloadable copies of McAfee Anti-Virus from the iTunes Store. What next…rootkits on every iPod nano?

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPod