How I Removed Windows from my Laptop
29 November 2007
Thanks to Groklaw, who featured my last post in their News Picks section on the right column of their front page (screenshot here). If you were a bit overwhelmed with document formats over the last few posts, here is something lighter and more superficial to help cheer you up.
In the UK there was a series of children's books called Where's Wally, which were renamed Where's Waldo for the yanks. If you can't be bothered to read the text then you can just look at the pictures and play a little game of 'Where's Windows?'
Giving Microsoft free and unwarranted advertising
So my laptop came with a Windows XP Sticker, announcing to the world that I am using Windows, even though I am not:
Here is a closer view:
I left it there for a few weeks as I was a bit afraid that if I removed the sticker, it might uncover a bare or lighter patch in the paintwork that would be visable and unsightly. I was going to wait until I had an appropriately sized Penguin sticker to go over it.
Removing the Windows sticker
However, I decided yesterday to go for one quick rip:
I then gently rubbed off the rest of the glue with my thumb, leaving a perfect finish:
Great, the whole thing looks a lot nicer and cleaner now without those childish primary colours clashing with the minimalism of the Thinkpad.
Restoring Order
After being exposed to Windows, perhaps we need to have a nice relaxing drink, to remove the inpurities from my system and the bad aura from the room:
Perhaps something stronger is required:
If you are religious, perhaps we need to pray for forgiveness for having had Windows, after all Christians must use free software. Jesus requires us to not give up our freedoms (Galatians 5:1) and the Bible also tells us not to agree to contracts that include the risk of penalties, such as by agreeing to proprietary end user licences (Proverbs 22:26):
Ever wondered why the Windows sticker is given a mettalic look? Well it is because in the end, there is only one place for Windows:
Can you think of a better, funnier or more cheesy caption for one of these photos? If so, please leave a comment.
1 Bug says...
What about... Your router :) Muhahahahahaha.
Posted at 8:44 p.m. on November 29, 2007
2 ZogG says...
u still have win-key =)
Posted at 10:09 p.m. on November 29, 2007
3 Zeth says...
ZogG good point, I will think about how to fix that! One idea would to be to scrape it blank. Some put tux there, but I don't think a picture of a tux is the way to go, the traditional/Unix name is the super key, so 'Spr' would be the correct label for that keycap.
Posted at 11:12 p.m. on November 29, 2007
4 Matt says...
Zeth, Thanks for making me laugh out loud! The "Windows Christ" one was the best imho. I'm sure I could come up with a few - maybe while I'm idling at work tomorrow, I'll do some GIMP magic or shoot you a cheesy line.
PS - thanks for all the great articles...I highly enjoy reading them!
Cheers, Matt
Posted at 11:36 p.m. on November 29, 2007
5 Matt says...
PSS - RE: Windows Key. Check out what some Ubuntu guys did:
http://en.andrenoel.com.br/?p=10
Posted at 11:42 p.m. on November 29, 2007
6 Alex Willmer says...
Jesus saves, frequently!
Posted at 12:34 a.m. on November 30, 2007
7 ZogG says...
i don't know what about laptop but on regular keybord u just can change the key - just take it out and put new one instead =)
Posted at 4:51 p.m. on November 30, 2007
8 Hel says...
LOL. Just found your website this morning and this really made me laugh. I like them all but as a Christian I think the Jesus one is the funniest. When I manage to pull mine off (it's stuck, I did the gentle tugging mistake instead of the like a plaster rip) I might stick it on the packet of Ex-Lax we have in the cupboard. Cheers and looking forward to the rest of the site
Posted at 8:27 a.m. on December 1, 2007
9 default says...
my friend "installed" windows sticker on his toilet seat
Posted at 9:14 a.m. on December 4, 2007
10 Asia Business Advisor says...
Being a huge Linux fan myself, appreciate the straightforwardness of your blog! Keep up the good work.
Posted at 1:56 p.m. on January 5, 2008
11 Atropos says...
Lol, great post! And great Thinkpad ;)
Posted at 9:27 p.m. on January 24, 2008
12 Technology Transfer Services says...
In the Bible, the "apple" was the forbidden fruit. Not so when it comes to operating systems though...
Posted at 6:04 p.m. on January 30, 2008
13 Nadya 59 says...
nice
Posted at 5:49 p.m. on March 28, 2008
14 Technology Transfer Services says...
I would delete windows too, but many applications need windows to run, actually, the majority of them require windows to run... so... i have to bare the blue screen of death sometimes and curse bill gates, but I called him and he said he doesn't mind.
Posted at 7:24 p.m. on March 31, 2008
15 Karpacz says...
Buaaaah:D Nice photos:D
Posted at 7:37 a.m. on April 18, 2008
16 PyS60 Guru says...
Nice laptop mod there mate. Now get hunting for a Tux sticker! Mike
Posted at 4:16 p.m. on April 23, 2008
17 Old Spice says...
Heh, that's pretty great
Posted at 6:24 a.m. on April 30, 2008
18 Go-Gulf says...
WOW what a great work. Is your laptop working fine. Have you ever try wondows vista
Posted at 12:10 a.m. on August 12, 2008