Windows Vista Packaging Patched

Earlier this week I came across a Windows Vista Ultimate package here in the office and discovered something interesting - a U.I. flaw in what was probably an uber-expensive package designed by uber-packaging experts from all corners of the world.

I saw the package sitting on a co-worker's desk and was immediately interested. I've worked on designing software packages in the past so a package like the Windows Vista package that is obviously going to be well funded and the product of hundreds of hours of experience deserves some attention. I picked up the package, looked at the front, looked at the back, and proceeded to open it. To my surprise, and some embarrassment because my co-workers were watching, I had a hard time getting it opened. I don't remember how long it took me to get it opened but I do know it was way longer than it should have been. Even after I got it opened, using what appears to be a last-minute hack, I had difficulty opening and closing the package. Is this for real? How many of these packages is Microsoft shipping? Did they test this at all?

The hack I referred to is illustrated in the photo I took below. The little red piece of tape attached to the top of the package can't be part of the original design but without it I would have been really stuck. I'm sure the last minute hack was subject to protest on the designers part - it's ugly. Did Microsoft "Patch" the Windows Vista package? We'll probably never know.

By the way, I passed the package around the office for a little in-house usability testing and a lot of really smart people turned red trying to get the Windows Vista package opened in front of a crowd. That's bad design - period.

Has anybody else had this experience? If so, comment.

Does anybody know who designed the package? If so, comment.

Related:

I found this post on the Windows Vista Team Blog that, after having seen the package for myself, is almost comical.

Tivo and Amazon.com Unbox Partner

Tivo's new partnership with Amazon.com Unbox is going to be good for Tivo - I'll use the service to download and watch movies. Actually, I might use it for TV shows I don't have access to as well. Smart deal.

On the same day that Walmart launched a competing movie download service and then fell flat on their face over simple browser compatibility issues, Amazon announced an incredibly cool, long rumored new partnership with Tivo. - TechCrunch

Me Too

I want what Michael Gartenberger (Jupiter Research) wants. Me too! I also want what Michael already has - a Microsoft Exchange Server. Might be time to look into my own "hosted" Exchange solution.

I love Exchange. Every time I get a new computer or Smartphone, all I do is plug in our Exchange settings and magic happens. All my contacts, calendar items, to-do lists and email flow directly into the new device automatically. Once that happens, if I make a change on one device, it ripples across all the others. Everything is in sync and up to date. It's nice we've solved sync for PIM information but that's not enough for me now. Now I want sync for everything. I regularly move among multiple PCs and other devices like Smartphones. Trying to keep just two PCs in sync is a total nightmare. Stuff gets lost. I want to have (or have access to) every picture I have taken (I've been a digital camera users since 1995), every song in my collection and every document I have written on every one of my PCs. If I take pictures and download them to one of my PCs, I want those photos updated on all my other machines the next time I access them. I want it to happen simply, invisibly and just work. Now, many of you don't switch regularly between a dozen PCs and Smartphones on a regular basis but there are multiple devices in everyone's future. Whoever solves this next generation of sync first is going to win big. Oh. And while we're at it, can I have that cross platform please? - Michael Gartenberger

Windows Vista Myths

Takeaway: The official consumer launch of Windows Vista has brought with it a great deal of confusion, misinformation, and some fairly ignorant assertions. Windows expert Deb Shinder debunks some of the misconceptions she's been hearing, from exaggerated cost and hardware requirements to feature limitations and compatibility issues.

iTunes 7.0.2. Works w/ Vista

Apple is suggesting Windows iTunes users delay updating to Windows Vista until they can get an update for iTunes out. iTunes works fine for me on my Vista powered Lenovo - it was working fine on RC1 and it's still working fine on the Gold bits today. I think this is probably just Apple trying to cast a shadow of doubt on the new operating system from Redmond. If it doesn't work properly - it's Apple's bad - they've had plenty of time to prepare for the Vista launch. Apple is good at making their Windows-based customers feel 2nd class - Microsoft should leverage this in their efforts to market the Zune. I'm going to trade my iPod in for a Zune.

According to a company statement provided by Apple spokesman Derick Mains, "Although iTunes 7.0.2 may work with Windows Vista on many typical PCs, Apple is aware of some known compatibility issues and recommends that iTunes customers wait to upgrade to Windows Vista until after the next release of iTunes, which will be available in the next few weeks." Apple declined further comment. - source

Digg Dumps Top Diggers List

Digg is dumping the "Top Diggers List" - a move probably designed to reduce the perception that the community is easily gamed by top diggers. I think this is both a smart and bold move by the Digg management team. Smart, because they're making a decisive move to protect the integrity and public perception of the social network and bold because they risk pissing off a lot of the people that built the early community. We'll see how this pans out for them.

Related:
Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection: Listening
TechCrunch: Digg Removes List of Top Users
Marketing Pilgrim: Digg Takes Away Power from Top Diggers