The Ride Died
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Windows truly is everywhere. But these pictures raise the question: Is that always such a good thing? |
I had a meeting at Caribou Coffee in a local mall today. Later on, I passed some kiddy rides near the exit. One of the rides caught my attention.
Oh my, what is that blue thing?
It's the blue-screen-of-death ride.
I whipped out my Nokia N95 cell phone, which has 5-megapixel camera, and snapped five shots.
I debated for more than 3 hours about whether to post the pictures because they're a bit unfair to Microsoft. I've passed that ride on mall trips for more than two years without there ever being a problem.
Surely, today's blue screen was an aberration.
Until today, I would never have guessed the ride used Windows. Maybe the carousel company should upgrade to Vista, eh?
Comments (22)
Joe,
I'm sure you already know about the little OTC company Vertical Computer Systems Inc. that Microsoft is in negotiations with over infringement:
• Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Microsoft Corporation
PR Newswire (Fri, Apr 20)
• Now Solutions Successfully Resolves Its Lawsuit Against Ross Systems
PrimeNewswire (Wed, Apr 18)
All signs from Microsoft in the last couple of weeks point to a settlement already being made.
For the record- I am a VCSY shareholder with much knowledge if you want to email me with questions.
Dan Broder
Posted by Dan Broder | June 13, 2007 9:53 PM
http://www.miguelcarrasco.net/miguelcarrasco/2006/10/apple_crash_top.html
Posted by DD | June 13, 2007 10:12 PM
Looks like a Windows 9x error message.
Why is a kiddy ride using Windows anyway? I would have thought those things were so simple that they wouldn't need an OS....and if they do need an OS you'd think they'd use something custom tailored like a Linix varient.
Posted by DosFreak | June 13, 2007 10:30 PM
A blue screen picture? really? really? I expect these kinds of stupid posts from 13 year old trolls on digg. We need Mary Jo back and fast
Posted by tyrax | June 13, 2007 10:56 PM
Why has VCSY been so overlooked and so under-valued for so long?
These 2 sites will fill you in quite well!
http://ajaxamine.tripod.com/
http://vcsy.blogspot.com/
Posted by Dan Broder | June 14, 2007 4:37 AM
Why has VCSY been so overlooked and so under-valued for so long?
These 2 sites will fill you in quite well!
http://ajaxamine.tripod.com/
http://vcsy.blogspot.com/
Posted by Dan Broder | June 14, 2007 4:45 AM
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/bsod/
Posted by Larry Cannell | June 14, 2007 7:48 AM
Ehh..eWeek pay you to evalute and comment a child toy ?!
Your column is well suitable for the kids aged between 2 to 5 years old
Posted by Kidd | June 14, 2007 9:29 AM
Resolution, for a lack of a better comment
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/190123
This behavior can occur if an earlier version of McAfee's VirusScan (anti- virus software) or Norton AntiVirus is being loaded from the Autoexec.bat file.
Posted by Evan | June 14, 2007 10:26 AM
Although I work with Joe at Ziff Davis and so I'm probably a bit biased here in defending Joe, I don't see why some people are upset about this posting. For years Microsoft has talked about putting Windows on all kinds of devices. And clearly it's gradually happening. Is that a good thing or not? I'm sure people have some opinions about that. For example, do we really want Windows on the control mechanism for a refrigerator? ("Oops, we just upgraded to a new ice maker software that now lets us control how many cubes to make. Darn, it's saying we have to reboot the Windows-For-Refrigerators operating system. I hope the ice cream doesn't melt in the interim.")
But with things like the iPhone likely to take off and show us what Apple software is like on devices, maybe we can talk about whether Windows should exist on other devices (more realistic than a refrigerator). So why *would* they put Windows on a children's car, especially one that's apparently Win 9.x, which had a serious tendency to crash regularly? I have a little one, and I know that a lot of these cars play movies. Wouldn't just a built-in DVD player make more sense? Ideas, anyone?
Posted by Jeff Cogswell | June 14, 2007 11:30 AM
Microsoft has long pushed the idea of embedded Windows, "Windows everywhere", so it's completely fair to judge them on their results. Unfortunately these results often speak for themselves and we have numerous examples of critical failures in systems ranging from U.S. Navy Ships, cell phones, ATMs, to children's amusement rides. I personally avoid any product or device that relies on this operating system.
Posted by Ed T | June 14, 2007 12:39 PM
Joe, that's hilarous! That ride must have missed it's weekly medication... I mean tuesday patch :)
Posted by vic berggren | June 14, 2007 1:08 PM
Don't depend on Vista to keep from getting BSD's they are just a different color. I had one Tuesday and it automatically took care of the problem on it's own. All I did was to click on Restart to create the problem. Unlike previous versions of Windows, in it's defense, it did restore the system. Windows isn't all bad, it has brought more of the world together on the same page than anyother operating system.
Lynn
Posted by Lynn L | June 14, 2007 1:15 PM
"show us what Apple software is like on devices"
Having just experienced the glory of AAPL software on Windows via Safari, we might want to hold off on making them the new King just yet.
Posted by Paul | June 14, 2007 1:30 PM
I saw a local station on cable tv once that was frozen with a window up that said "This program has performed an illegal operation and must be shut down." lol
Posted by Phil Deets | June 14, 2007 2:16 PM
Of course, if my memory doesn't fail me this must be a very old ride - that looks like a crash screen from Windows 3.x or perhaps Windows 95.
Posted by Steve | June 14, 2007 4:18 PM
Petty issue !
Joe, you lack of enterprise explosure to write big things
Posted by jack | June 14, 2007 11:55 PM
Yup, I'd say this was an "explosure", all right!
Posted by Lawrence D'Oliveiro | June 15, 2007 3:23 AM
Yeah cmon Jack, lighten up. Nothing wrong with poking a little fun every once in a while no?
Posted by vic berggren | June 15, 2007 6:30 AM
With MS being built into everything and now even a simple kiddie ride (remember when you used to put in a dime/quarter and the ride just "worked"). I wonder how long it will be before MS is embeded into us.... dont forget to reboot the kid before putting him/her to bed. Perhaps we will become the next Cylons ;)
Posted by Ed | June 19, 2007 9:17 AM
lol - thats awesome! My friend saw an ATM with BSD the other day but didn't think twice to take a photo. Ctrl-Alt-Del - that'll fix it if you have a keyboard ... right? hehe
Sir_-_Jeff
Posted by Sir_-_Jeff | June 22, 2007 1:10 AM
Well, considering there's 99% chance that particular error is from a hardware failure or at least failing hardware...even I would not be able to bash M$ on that one.
Posted by Enigma | July 12, 2007 4:04 PM