DIY Life

If you've found yourself at the consumer electronics or computer retailer of your choice in the last eight months or so mulling that Windows Vista operating system upgrade for that newer PC, you're not alone. Although the computer giant likes to spin retail sales of Windows Vista in a positive light, sales have been pumped by licensing to OEM computer manufacturers, not by retail sales.

Perhaps it's because the retail plastic box is so darn complicated to open. I've been through the process several times and wondered why these plastic boxes did not have an obvious opening process that did not require directions. I wonder if iPhone boxes are this hard to open?

Well, the Redmond, Washington software behemoth wants you to know that it's heard your plea. In fact, the company even has a "how to" on physically opening the retail package, which is akin to a minor rubik's cube to some consumers. Why on earth did Microsoft make a multi-step process to open a software box? To some anti-Microsoftites, the unnecessary complexity of opening the retail box is along the lines of how complex the software inside is.

But, if you venture into a store soon and buy that Windows Vista Home Basic or Premium software and get home only to be befuddled by how to quick rip that box open and slap the disc into your newer PC, at least the three-step process is painstakingly outlined here. This one gets my goofy DIY badge of the year. Well, for software packages anyway.