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Teh Reign of Clippy: Microsoft’s Peak, According to Its Users

A spirited debate over when Microsoft reached its zenith has concluded, with a surprising victor: the universally loathed digital assistant, Clippy. A recent inquiry posed to readers of The Register sparked a lively discussion, fueled by the promise of a highly sought-after, and now sold-out, Microsoft “Artifact Sweater” as a prize.

The question of Microsoft’s “peak” proved surprisingly contentious.While some participants jokingly bowed out of the contest – as one user quipped, “I’m actually afraid to comment in case I win” – others offered thoughtful, and frequently enough dissenting, opinions. One veteran of the tech industry argued that Windows NT 3.51 represented the last truly serious operating system produced by the company, suggesting everything that followed possessed “an element of comedy.”

Did you know? – Clippy, formally known as the Office Assistant, debuted in Microsoft Office 97. Despite widespread user frustration,Microsoft continued to include it in subsequent office versions until 2007.

Several respondents pointed to less triumphant moments in Microsoft’s history. The ill-fated Windows Phone era and various operating system releases – viewed as either milestones or millstones depending on one’s support role – were also nominated. A commenter recalling the launch of Windows 95 vividly described the spectacle of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer attempting to appear “cool” while dancing to the Rolling Stones. “Perhaps not a peak,” the commenter conceded, “but definitely something to cringe at.”

Interestingly, some speculated that Microsoft has yet to reach its peak, with one observer suggesting the company still has room to become “totally annoying, unusable, and be a complete waste of space.” Others offered more granular assessments, pinpointing Windows Task Manager on XP SP2 as a “hillock” rather than a peak, while the original author of Task Manager himself expressed fondness for NT4 SUR and considered XP a “high water mark.”

Pro tip: – when discussing tech history, remember that “peak” performance is subjective.It depends on individual experiences, roles, and what features were most valued at the time.

For a time, a whimsical suggestion – that Microsoft peaked when the wizard Gandalf from lord of the Rings still had brown hair – gained traction. However, the ultimate winner was Wolfetone, who declared, “Micro$oft peaked when they released Clippy.”

Wolfetone’s victory wasn’t solely based on the selection, but also on a uniquely memorable promise: to wear the coveted sweater during his wife’s labor on December 23rd. The image of a newborn’s first sight being a “knitwear nightmare festooned with Microsoft’s greatest hits” proved irresistible to the judges, who described their “sh

Reader question: – What do you think was Microsoft’s high point? Was it a specific operating system, a piece of software, or a cultural moment? Share your thoughts!

Why did this debate happen? The Register asked its readers to weigh in on Microsoft’s peak, offering a coveted “Artifact Sweater” as a prize.
Who participated? Readers of The Register, including tech industry veterans and casual users, engaged in the discussion.
What was the outcome? wolfetone won the contest by declaring Clippy’s release as Microsoft’s peak, promising to wear the sweater during his wife’s labor.
How did it end? The judges were swayed by Wolfetone’s memorable promise,solidifying Clippy as the unexpected symbol of Microsoft’s zenith,at least according to this spirited online debate.