Live data from Hacker News

What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

devblogs.microsoft.com

21–30 of 166 posts

Re: What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a matter of taste, but for many it was the Windows they used first and/or spend the most time on and there's a lot of love for that reason alone. I never used XP all that much, but I always changed the theme to the Windows 2000 look. I really didn't like the default, it looked unprofessional and clunky in my eyes. Upon release XP was also pretty universally mocked as a Fisher Price-like UI. To me Windows 95/NT…

The "Windows Classic" look on XP is exceptionally ugly, because those 3D-rendered icons just do not belong on a Windows 2000-style grey background for menus or buttons. (I have recently had to test both these OSes in VMs…)

That is true, it looked completely off, as if no one really bothered to tests it and make it look nice. It got rid of the horrible window decoration of the default theme, but the start menu looked terrible.

Re: What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

#23
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

XP is Microsoft's prettiest OS by far.

That's a matter of taste, but for many it was the Windows they used first and/or spend the most time on and there's a lot of love for that reason alone. I never used XP all that much, but I always changed the theme to the Windows 2000 look. I really didn't like the default, it looked unprofessional and clunky in my eyes. Upon release XP was also pretty universally mocked as a Fisher Price-like UI. To me Windows 95/NT…

The first Windows I used was 98, and I sure didn't miss the blocky grey menus nor the pixelated icons. Maybe it was Fisher Price-ish but the new rounded buttons and borders were way more appealing to me.

Re: What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

#24
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

XP is Microsoft's prettiest OS by far.

You mean 7 ;)

Windows 7 fixed Vista a bit, but the Aero windows were never pretty and the non-Aero decorations were painfully obvious a placeholder.

Re: What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

#25
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

XP is Microsoft's prettiest OS by far.

You mean 7 ;)

Windows 7 was certainly pretty, but I still think that W2000 was peak Windows UI (and I've been around since Windows 2.0)

Re: What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

#26
post #8

A couple of screenshots would've been useful for the post-millennial generations that never got to see the "beauty" (cough) of XP.

XP is Microsoft's prettiest OS by far.

I found each of 2000, XP, and 7 to be excellent in its own unique way. I'd be happy with any of them. But it also felt exciting to upgrade.

It's all been downhill from there as far as UX goes.

Re: What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

#28
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

XP is Microsoft's prettiest OS by far.

That's a matter of taste, but for many it was the Windows they used first and/or spend the most time on and there's a lot of love for that reason alone. I never used XP all that much, but I always changed the theme to the Windows 2000 look. I really didn't like the default, it looked unprofessional and clunky in my eyes. Upon release XP was also pretty universally mocked as a Fisher Price-like UI. To me Windows 95/NT…

Took me years to like Windows XP. Hated the new start menu. I always kept installing Windows 2000 (or ME, probably because it could use Windows 98 drivers but look like Windows 2000).

I eventually got used to it and ended up liking it.

Re: What algorithm did Windows XP use to choose your initial user picture?

#29
post #8

A couple of screenshots would've been useful for the post-millennial generations that never got to see the "beauty" (cough) of XP.

XP is Microsoft's prettiest OS by far.

Perhaps with the Zune theme installed.
Post reply on HN