Microsoft makes a funny

It’s good to know the evil geniuses over at Microsoft have a sense of humor. This YouTube video is a satire on the difference between Microsoft’s everything-but-the-kitchen-sink package design principles and Apple’s minimalist branding. The video started as an in-house joke but was leaked (or “leaked?”) to YouTube. Instead of getting huffy Microsoft ran with it, poking fun at itself. Wonder if a Microsoft version of iTunes would automatically include songs in your library from Paul Allen’s band?

So I know Microsoft isn’t all evil. But if only I could convince myself that the little Helpy Helperton MS Word Paper Clip guy wasn’t really one of Satan’s minions waiting for the opportune time to crash my desktop RIGHT before the auto save kicks in. I cursed the name of Bill Gates many a time back when, when I was a PC user.

Now I’m a Machead both at work and at home, and there’s little I can complain about, except that there are still many applications that refuse to loosen themselves from the Windows grip. Thus, I’m often left out of the loop of some streaming videos or cool Web sites because they aren’t compatible with Mac and its browsers (I LOATHE Internet Explorer!).

On the other hand, I do feel that Apple is starting to screw those of us in the ass who are slaves to design. For instance, why did I have to shell out $30 for a portable charger for my nano when that was free in the first-generation iPods? And after I save and save and spend on my iBook, I learn that the new Macs will be Intel-based, and therefore much faster. I shake my fist at you, Steve Jobs!

Oh well. I guess when it comes to electronics, you just can’t win. Everything is obsolete as soon as you buy it. On top of that, I get a third degree burn on my thighs every time I use my laptop on my lap, which is where I’m assuming it was intended to be placed considering the name. I guess I should take advantage of the lithium ion battery recall before I end up burning my pickup truck to a crisp.

If you just clicked on that NYT story, I think just as curious as the fact that a computer battery caused such apocalyptic destruction to poor Thomas’ truck is that Thomas actually owned a laptop. (Though what’s not as surprising is the fact that the conflagration was exasperated by ammunition in his glove compartment. And I love the fact that a cigarette is hanging from his mouth as he peers through the charred remains of steel and seat vinyl. Ain’t nothin’—neither a fiery truck explosion nor a New York times photog—gonna keep him from his smokes.)