A very funny video circulated a long time ago asking the question, “What if Microsoft designed the iPod box?” The proposed re-design that followed Microsoft’s packaging guidelines was HILARIOUS and embedded here for your viewing pleasure:
While the Microsoft Vista box is not as ugly as the Microsoft I-pod box, it apparently is hard to open. Hard enough that it warrants a help page on the Microsoft site that includes the 3-step instructions on how to open the box. There are pictures involved, thankfully, since the text instructions are ridiculously confusing:
1. On the top of the box, cut along the grooves on either side of the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label.
2. Peel the red tabbed label off the front of the box and discard.
3. Holding the box with the Windows logo facing you, grasp the red tab on the top of the box, and pull it to the right to open the box as shown here.
This is an excellent example of why we need Human Factors.
