Over the past few days there been some interesting news and outrage about Windows Vista’s Boot Up sound. I first learned of this outrage via CyberNet News, Vista Will Not Let You Disable the Startup Sound:
“Microsoft may not give me the option to disable the startup sound in Windows Vista though. Why would they do such a thing? Robert Scoble had the pleasure of talking with Steve Ball, program manager for the Windows Audio Video Excellence team, who gave a reason for this decision:
“A short, brief, positive confirmation that your machine is now conscious and ready to react. You can turn on your Vista machine, go eat some cereal, while your machine is cold booting and then this gentle sound will come out telling you that you can log in.” “
Then today on Todd Bishop’s Microsoft Blog, Debate over Windows Vista’s startup sound:
“For details, see Robert Scoble’s notes on his conversation with Steve Ball, Microsoft group program manager for Windows audio and video. According to the post, the purpose of making it unchangeable would be to help create a “spiritual side” to the Windows “branding experience” and to help people calibrate the volume on their computers at startup. Ball told Scoble that a final decision hasn’t been made, but he said that’s the current plan.”
There are several valid comments in regards to Todd Bishop’s Article, most have to do with using a Windows PC in a corporate environment. More so having to reboot for software updates or even if the freakin’ PC crashes. I never gave this much thought, even though on some days I have to reboot my Windows PC at work several times. The reason being, we don’t have speakers on our PC’s, if we want to listen to audio, we use head phones.
This is ridiculous. A “spiritual experience”? How dare Microsoft impose their religion on me.
I’ve had far more problems at work and play with Microsoft’s sounds than I have with my volume control!
Who do we have to burn at the stake to liberate us from this monopolistic practice? Or would Microsoft respond to softer measures?
—Ryan
Why argue? It’s like flailiung your arms at windmills!
Just accept it: YOUR computer is going to play MIcrosoft’s sound whether you like it or not!
I hope you have enough of a life to have a better place to vent yourself!
—Wilson
Don’t you see– this is outrageous enough to be worth a small effort by many people.
Now, I have to wonder what exactly is Microsoft’s “Religion”?
Be sure the check out my update.
If there is ONE thing I hate it’s those stupid faded fonts:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/designmistakes.html
is it that difficult to delete the sound or substitute it?
YAA Adding this to my bookmarks. Thank You