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Windows Operating Systems Software

Longhorn Drops 'My' Prefixes 1037

Posted by CmdrTaco from the but-how-will-i-know-who-owns-it dept.
ryanjm writes "Microsoft has decided to drop the "my" prefixes for Longhorn. Instead of "My Computer," it will be just just plain simple "Computer". "
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Longhorn Drops 'My' Prefixes More

Longhorn Drops 'My' Prefixes

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  • Brilliant! Simply brilliant! (Score:5, Funny)

    by daniil ( 775990 ) * <evilbj8rn@hotmail.com> on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @03:56PM (#12698282) Journal
    Can't wait what they'll come up with next!

  • Uh oh... (Score:5, Funny)

    by johndierks ( 784521 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @03:56PM (#12698283)
    How will I know whose files they are?

  • My My... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by nweaver ( 113078 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @03:56PM (#12698288) Homepage
    My My, what a shocking change....

    I guess it means that with the new DRM technology, it really IS no longer your computer.

    • it really IS no longer your computer.

      No, but I think that implies the computer is being 0wn3d. ;)

    • Re:My My... (Score:3, Interesting)

      by Rei ( 128717 )
      The thought of having your operating system "expire" on you if you don't pay a renewal fee (the ultimate DRM concept) is rather frightening, to say the least. I think that would actually be something disturbing enough to your average person to get them to consider alternative operating systems.

      If they ever manage subscription-only operating systems, it would be tempting to make a "Donnie Darko" theme with an animated background: a scrawled-on arm whose numbers count down till the end of your license.

      • Re:My My... (Score:4, Interesting)

        by darkjedi521 ( 744526 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @04:23PM (#12698721)
        The thought of having your operating system "expire" on you if you don't pay a renewal fee (the ultimate DRM concept) is rather frightening, to say the least. I think that would actually be something disturbing enough to your average person to get them to consider alternative operating systems.

        DEC/Compaq/HP have been doing that for years. If you let your VMS OS and application licenses lapse, the system locks you out. You can only login on the system console, the network stack won't load (due to expired license), and any licensed apps won't run. Its been done before, is being done, and will continue to be done for quite some time.

        • Re:My My... (Score:3, Informative)

          by Graabein ( 96715 )
          > If you let your VMS OS and application licenses lapse

          I call bullshit. You could get (usually free) time limited evaluation licenses, but if you purchased a regular license there was no termination date on it. Hence it didn't "lapse".

          You could check this by looking at the license with the LICENSE utility ($ LIC LIST/FULL <license name>). Look for the line with "termination date", like this:

          PAK Termination Date: (none)

          That's not to say that proprietary software and restrictive

    • Re:My My... (Score:3, Insightful)

      by timeOday ( 582209 )
      You don't like the change away from "My"?

      I do. "My" annoyed me from the first time I saw Windows 95. "My" before everything is childish, superfluous, and not necessarily factual.

  • And in the next release... (Score:3, Funny)

    by MarkusQ ( 450076 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @03:57PM (#12698295) Journal

    And in the next release, they'll replace it with "Our".

    --MarkusQ

  • Honestly, who cares? I heard in the next version of the Mustang, they are gonna change 'gearshift" to "gear changer"
    • Personally, I'm happy to see MS getting rid of spaces in common file names. Hopefully they will continue the trend and not have "Program Files", "Documents and Settings" and all the other folders which need to be quoted or otherwise referenced using special characters. (e.g., progra~1).
  • oh my
    actually this is good, i hate those prefixes.
  • With palladium it's theirs.

  • Stop all the downloadin'!
  • Seriously though. Now how will I know who's computer it is I'm double-clicking on?

    No really seriously though. Now I can't say "My Computer!" in a big retarded voice whenever I have to double-click on it.

    Really though, this is some big news, a drastic change like this to the windows UI hasn't happened since 3.1.

    -Jesse
  • With the new DRM lockdown mechanisms maybe they want to break their customers of thinking of the machine as their own :) I imagine "My Computer (except for the parts the MPAA and RIAA own) was too long to fit in the explorer window easily.
  • Since with Longhorn, nothing on your hard drive is really "yours" anymore.

  • Whenever someone uses the argument "if open source kills commercial software, it will also kill innovation," now I know what they're talking about. My attitudes have changed. Long live commercial software.
  • It wasn't really useful nor did it make it easier for people to understand. (Especially when they were on someone else's computer). It was just an extra space to make it harder to program for and use the DOS prompt.

  • Annoying inconsistancy of Windows document folders (Score:3, Insightful)

    by SuperKendall ( 25149 ) * on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @03:58PM (#12698332)
    I have to say that I always founf it very annoying how Windows constantly seems to shift where they think documents should go with each release, at one point being under the Windows directory...

    Hopefully this sigals the last time these folders chage location/name. Then perhaps people would start to use them. I always use the default Documents/Music/Pictures folders on OS X but over the years I have avoided using the Windows equivilent because I knew it would shift and I'd have to learn the new placement again.
    • Ah, but with the new SuperAmazingFantasticSearches (tm), you no longer need to worry about where you store documents at all. This is just the first step in phasing out directory names altogether.
    • Comment removed based on user account deletion
    • oh, come on now, the paths arent that bad

      *goes back to command prompt*

      C:\cd C:\Documents and Settings\xxxxxx\Local Settings\Application Data\IsolatedStorage\32w4syu4.acn\21yxg0lq.lam\Pub lisher.inygdbru5tfs5gd0evj4st5ukkctchco\AssemFiles \Publisher.inygdbru5tfs5gd0evj4st5ukkctchco\Applic ation Data\IsolatedStorage\32w4syu4.acn\21yxg0lq.lam\App lication Data\IsolatedStorage\32w4syu4.acn\21yxg0lq.lam\
    • Yeah, three times in 20 years. Those bastards.
  • Those file names should change depending on the true owner.

    i.e. Pwned by BonziBuddy.

    An applaudable step towards transparency from Microsoft.

    Pip pip.
  • I guess that the next version of Microsoft's SQL Server won't be called My SQL Server.
  • ...do i get the feeling that this is indicative of their future liscensing practices? Is this going to be an OS that reminds us of liquor: you don't actually buy it, you just rent it? Their removal of 'my' has me worried that they are going to consider everything on your computer is simply rented from them...good thing im in love with Ubuntu...I don't have to worry about longhord screwing me.

  • Good Idea. (Score:3, Funny)

    by autopr0n ( 534291 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @03:59PM (#12698344) Homepage Journal
    In this DRM age, we wouldn't want consumers to belive they own anything. now CONSUME!
  • Well, this will actually be helpful when I'm trying to help my dad over the phone. For the longest time, I'd say "double click on My Computer" and he'd ask why he's going to my computer instead of his.

    Sigh.
  • once everyone and their dog P0wnz your computer, very little of it can be considered "yours" anymore anyway :)

  • In related news... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Xaroth ( 67516 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @03:59PM (#12698359) Homepage
    Apple picked up the prefix at auction on the cheap, along with the now much-maligned 'e' prefix and several other vowels.

    Later, at a press conference, Steve Jobs announced the new, updated G5 eMy eioMac. Old MacDonald could not be reached for comment.
  • They must have figured that, with so many Windows boxes overridden with trojans, spyware, adware, and zombie software that is being used to remotely send zillions of pieces of spam, *no one* can really say the computer is "theirs" anymore.

    And wait until we rent our software. Then the concept of owning your computer will truly be a thing of the past.
  • There goes my plan to cash in on a bunch Malaysian TLD [iana.org] URLs when Longhorn is released.

    Ah well, it was a myopic business plan at best.
  • Seriously? Why not drop that thing all together? It's usually used to represent your hard drive, right? I put sticky notes on my computer (and monitor)--I put electronic files on my hard drive.

    I'm coming from a Mac perspective--am I way off base here?

  • "New streamlined interface! No "My" prefix means 2 less letters to read, increasing productivity!"
  • Why is this a big deal? If you don't like the 'My' on there, change it yourself. I always edit the desktop icon names to 'This pooter' and 'Net hood', respectively. Or, if you're only accessing one network, use the workgroup name for the Network Neighborhood icon.

    I mean, it's not rocket surgery or brain science, after all.

    • Re:Who cares? (Score:3, Interesting)

      by oc255 ( 218044 )
      Fine, you know what you're doing, I rename them too (My Computer -> .box and My Network Places -> .net or something clever and non-default) see: One True Way [kde.org]. Not a big deal to you but a big deal to a teacher/instructor.

      What about in a classroom where all the lab/learning computers are set up like this by default? It's confusing as hell.

      "Class, double click on My Computer."
      "What do you mean Your Computer?"
      "No, I mean your My Computer."
      "What?!"
      "Click on the icon My Computer on Your Computer. *sigh
  • An appalling user-interface gaffe finally corrected. I guess getting rid of the screwdriver and clawhammer folder for the Control Panel next would be too much to ask. Although I guess they are appropriate since most of the time when I run Windows I wish I had a hammer... to beat myself senseless with.
  • This follows Microsoft's new basic assertion that the computer and all its data belongs to Microsoft in the first place, therefore calling it "My Computer" is technically (and possibly legally) incorrect.

    They were going to call it "Our Computer", but decided against it on the grounds that users might think they were sharing something, and didn't want there to be any confusion. Microsoft doesn't share anything.

    (For the humorless: This is a joke. But it's funny because you know how close to the truth i


  • Not an improvement to shell out cash for, but still an improvement :-)

  • Make sense... (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Lemmingue ( 788112 )
    ... since when a computer is shared between people it cannot be called "My Computer". The cyber café's box is not "My Computer".
    Microsoft should check if there's more than one user registered in the machine and put an "Our Computer" label below the icon :-)
  • They'll be changing the popular "Shut Do..." button to the even less meaningful "Do..."
  • They're just finally admitting that between their EULA, the Dept of Homeland Security, and spyware, nobody actually owns or controls the MS Windows in their home or office.
  • So will the "Computer" icon open automatically whenever you say "Computer" to the mouse.
  • I've been having to keep from hitting things every time I see and hear that 'My' crap.

    It's just unnatural and fucking stupid. "Go to your My Documents folder", "Open your My Computer", and if you drop the 'your', they think you're talking about your own computer.. "Open My Computer".. "I can't get to it, where are you?"

    GAH
  • Just part of the Palladium (or whatever it's called these days) specs, right?

  • finally (Score:5, Funny)

    by big water ( 866921 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @04:04PM (#12698435)
    FINALLY, after all these years, real change!
  • Hey they should rescurrect MS Bob and call it "Bob's Computer" and "Bob's Documents" and "Bob's Network". And for a sidekick, MS Bob could have the little search puppy that we all know and love.

    Thankfully there's Linux.
  • since it's only a matter of time until Microsoft owns your computer with Longhorn anyways. It won't be 'My Computer", and putting "Bill and Steve's Bitch" seemed a bit too offensive.

  • An end to a tech support nightmare. (Score:5, Funny)

    by MichaelKaiserProScri ( 691448 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @04:05PM (#12698451)

    Helpdesk: Double click on "My Computer"

    User: I can't see your computer.

    Helpdesk: No, double click on "My Computer" on your computer.

    User: Huh?

    Helpdesk: There is an icon on your computer labled "My Computer". Double click on it.

    User: What's your computer doing on mine?

  • They're replacing "My" with "Our"

  • Sad (Score:2)

    by j_kenpo ( 571930 )
    Why would they do this? Windows ME made me feel like it was a Windows all for ME, and they took that away, and now this? Windows isn't making me feel very special anymore.
  • This means that half the applications will put music in "Documents\Music" and the other half will put music in "My Documents\My Music".
  • Computer (TM), Documents (TM), Networks (TM)...

  • Who wanna bet... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by SharpFang ( 651121 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @04:18PM (#12698646) Homepage Journal
    every user will end up with "My Documents" directory right beside the "Documents" one?
    I already have "Moje Dokumenty" (original name by Windows with polish localization) and "My Documents" right next to it, created by some dumb program.
    Windows resides on D:, but of course there's "Program Files" with something in it on 510MB FreeDOS C: partition. I cleaned up the Start Menu so there's just "Aplikacje" and whatever created "Applications" went there. Sure there are system variables that default to proper directories. Just not every application uses them.

  • News for nerds. Stuff that matters, they said. (Score:3, Funny)

    by carcosa30 ( 235579 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @04:19PM (#12698666)
    It would be nice if microsoft removed "My Patent" and "My Annoyance" and "My hair-tearing headache."

    It would also be nice if they added "My Compiler" to the default install of the OS.

    I can dream.

  • My Computer, Your Computer (Score:3, Insightful)

    by DanielMarkham ( 765899 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @04:38PM (#12698892) Homepage
    Maybe they should just name it "your computer"

    After all, it IS your computer, right?

    This change will obviously be the heart of longhorn. All the other features they've thrown out by now (grin)

    Is it just me, or does this sound like a PR unit leaking little bits of stuff over the months to the press in an effort to keep Longhorn in the news? I imagine we'll be hearing more little "gems" like this as the year proceeds.

  • We got our top minds on it. (Score:5, Funny)

    by NanoGator ( 522640 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @04:58PM (#12699101) Homepage Journal
    Only on Slashdot would you find 300 comments examining the big picture significance of 'My' Computer.

  • Computers for Adults (Score:5, Interesting)

    by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) ( 613870 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @05:29PM (#12699381) Journal
    That god for that! How was I ever supposed to take my job seriously when the PC I worked on not only felt like a toy, but a toy for particularly young kids. If you're an engineer, say, you might start out with Lego Duplo, but eventually you move on to tools that feel like they're made for adults. But for software engineers using Windows PCs was almost embarassing - the only thing stopping it being embarassing was that everyone else had the same stupid patronizing shit on their desktops too. And they had the cheek to call the OS Windows XP Professional.

    I've always said that since W2K MS have produced a very capable operating system held back by an interface designed with nothing but contempt for users.

  • So they think users have graduated from preschool (Score:3, Insightful)

    by ecloud ( 3022 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @05:49PM (#12699575) Homepage Journal
    That's what "my this" and "my that" always reminded me of. The icons might has well have looked like crayon sketches, too.

  • Well, with all the security holes..... (Score:3, Funny)

    by pandymen ( 884006 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @06:14PM (#12699808) Homepage Journal
    it isn't really MY computer anymore, now is it?

  • Thank God, I've been doing this for years. (Score:3, Interesting)

    by TheLittleJetson ( 669035 ) on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @06:25PM (#12699893)
    Or at least did when I used windows. I dropped "My" and "Neighborhood" from all desktop icons. I believe this is the first Longhorn feature I have no issues with. :-)

  • small fix, need more! (Score:3, Interesting)

    by yagu ( 721525 ) <yayagu.gmail@com> on Wednesday June 01, 2005 @10:03PM (#12701444) Journal

    Reading the posts, I was surprised there weren't more suggestions for a more reasonable or intuitive directory organization, e.g, perhaps "/home/USER" for instead of "Documents and Settings/blah blah blah". The "Documents and Settings" paradigm seems to be confusing enough to baffle even the software application providers.

    Many times I've had to traverse the hell that is "Documents and Settings" just to find where some misguided application has dropped my latest "Untitled n" masterpiece. Sometimes, I never find it.

    My solution, for myself, and for others I do support for has been to actually create a "/home/USER" where USER is... Then I show users how to set up their software to point to that directory or any subdirectories they've chosen to create. So far, they've all thanked me.

    I'm guessing there'll be a bit of flaming at me along the lines of "The standard is Documents and Settings...", but as I mentioned at the outset, educating me, your friends, etc. isn't enough... I've seen off-the-shelf software misuse or completely miss the paradigm.

    So, hopefully, this will be fixed too... (while "/home" may be imperfect... what exactly does "Documents and Settings" represent? Especially as Microsoft begins to move more and more to an "object" model.)

  • A boon for Cygwin users (Score:3, Insightful)

    by tezza ( 539307 ) on Thursday June 02, 2005 @03:27AM (#12702486)
    No more

    cd /cygdrive/c/Documents\ and\ Settings/User/My\ Documents

  • Put that in your pipe and smoke it (Score:3, Funny)

    by ectoraige ( 123390 ) on Thursday June 02, 2005 @05:55AM (#12702848) Homepage
    To all you out there who constantly accuse Microsoft of not being innovators, can I say a big "Hah!".

    So there!

    Will they now simply be known as Crosoft now, by the way?

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