Why Is Windows So Messed Up? Awesome Rants!

Like 93 percent of you, I use Windows every day. And while I've grown accustomed to it and have figured out most of its secrets and helpful tweaks, I still can't help but be a little bit embarrassed to be a Windows user from time to time.

So much about Windows makes no sense at all. Why are applications not alphabetized in the Start menu by default? Why can't I rearrange items in the taskbar? Why does the search system do absolutely no good and feature an animated dog?

Well, the bad news is in Vista it appears things are going to get even worse, and software developer/blogger Joel Spolsky has an entertaining and extremely informative rant about one tiny aspect of the Vista UI: When you want to leave your computer, you now have 9 options to choose from (see photo). Including buttons on the keyboard, you have a whopping 15 ways to leave your PC. (I still scratch my head over sleep vs. hibernate, too.)

Spolsky puts a little rational thought on this issue and offers Microsoft a solution that could take this down to two options. Of course, it won't make any difference whatsoever, but it's nice to see that I'm not the only one perturbed by Windows bloat.

Now... wanna know why this is the way it is? Here's some dirt from a Microsoft veteran, who worked on this very feature in Windows during its development. He explains, in depth, how Microsoft bloat in staff and in process leads to such messed-up features. It's an equally fascinating read that illuminates the flip side of Spolsky's experience.

Give 'em both a read this morning... I know how hard it is to get back into the swing of the work week after a holiday weekend.