1> http://toastytech.com/files/bsod.html
2> In a surprise announcement today, Microsoft President Steve Ballmer
revealed that the Redmond-based company will allow computer resellers and
end-users to customize the appearance of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD),
the screen that displays when the Windows operating system crashes. The
move comes as the result of numerous focus groups and customer surveys done
by Microsoft. Thousands of Microsoft customers were asked, "What do you
spend the most time doing on your computer?" A surprising number of
respondents said, "Staring at a Blue Screen of Death." At 54 percent, it
was the top answer, beating the second place answer "Downloading XXXScans"
by an easy 12 points. "We immediately recognized this as a great
opportunity for ourselves, our channel partners, and especially our
customers," explained the excited Ballmer to a room full of reporters.
Immense video displays were used to show images of the new customizable
BSOD screen side-by-side with the older static version. Users can select
from a collection of "BSOD Themes," allowing them to instead have a Mauve
Screen of Death or even a Paisley Screen of Death. Graphics and multimedia
content can now be incorporated into the screen, making the BSOD the
perfect conduit for delivering product information and entertainment to
Windows users. The BSOD is by far the most recognized feature of the
Windows operating system, and as a result, Microsoft has historically
insisted on total control over its look and feel. This recent departure
from that policy reflects Microsoft's recognition of the Windows desktop
itself as the "ultimate information portal." By default, the new BSOD will
be configured to show a random selection of Microsoft product information
whenever the system crashes. Microsoft channel partners can negotiate with
Microsoft for the right to customize the BSOD on systems they ship. Major
computer resellers such as Compaq, Gateway, and Dell are already lining up
for premier placement on the new and improved BSOD. Ballmer concluded by
getting a dig in against the Open Source community. "This just goes to show
that Microsoft continues to innovate at a much faster pace than open
source. I have yet to see any evidence that Linux even has a BSOD, let
alone a customizable one."
3> Call me at 559-5377 so I can get more info and try to help you.
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