I’ve arrived in Buenos Aires without incident. The flight was lengthy, but I was able to sleep. However, I did witness one of the most frightening sights I’ve ever seen at an airport:
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is a Microsoft logo on the side of a JET ENGINE. The jokes practically write themselves:
“Microsoft Flight: Giving new meaning to the term ‘Blue Screen of Death‘”
“The reliability of Microsoft software, now available in jet engines.”
“Well, you can take off fine, but without Genuine Advantage Validation, I’m afraid we can’t let you land.”
I’m not sure what game Microsoft is playing at, advertising on airplane engines, but it doesn’t strike me as a smart move for them. It reminded me of one of those usenet-era computer jokes:
What if Operating Systems Were Airlines?
DOS Airlines
Everybody pushes the airplane until it glides, then they jump on and let the plane coast until it hits the ground again, then they push again jump on again, and so on.Windows Air
The terminal is pretty and colorful, with friendly stewards, easy baggage check and boarding, and a smooth take-off. After about 10 minutes in the air, the plane explodes with no warning whatsoever.Windows NT Air
Just like Windows Air, but costs more, uses much bigger planes, and takes out all the other aircraft within a 40-mile radius when it explodes.Mac Airlines
All the stewards, stewardesses, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look the same, act the same, and talk the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are told you don’t need to know, don’t want to know, and would you please return to your seat and watch the movie.Unix Airlines
Each passenger brings a piece of the airplane and a box of tools to the airport. They gather on the tarmac, arguing constantly about what kind of plane they want to build and how to put it together. Eventually, they build several different aircraft, but give them all the same name. Some passengers actually reach their destinations. All passengers believe they got there.Linux Airlines
Disgruntled employees of all the other OS airlines decide to start their own airline. They build the planes, ticket counters, and pave the runways themselves. They charge a small fee to cover the cost of printing the ticket, but you can also download and print the ticket yourself. When you board the plane, you are given a seat, four bolts, a wrench and a copy of the seat-HOWTO.html. Once settled, the fully adjustable seat is very comfortable, the plane leaves and arrives on time without a single problem, the in-flight meal is wonderful. You try to tell customers of the other airlines about the great trip, but all they can say is, “You had to do what with the seat?”
In any case, Buenos Aires seems like a nice city. It reminds me a bit of Mexico, or maybe downtown Los Angeles. I may have fried the European power cable for my laptop by trying to use it in a South American power outlet that was an almost-but-not-quite fit. Pegs, holes, and so forth. So my mission for today is to find a new cable or an adaptor.
If Microsoft made cars:
you would need new roads every two years;
without warning, every so often, your car would suddenly turn left for no reason;
your car would turn itself off after a few miles and you would need to re-initialize;
tech support would be required for some destinations;
the driver and 1.5 passengers would be seated sideways for an enhanced view;
Try your own list; it’s easy.