lieu, loo and Microsoft

[beagledave]

The story says not a joke.

The iLoo, developed by Microsoft’s MSN division, will be a standard portable toilet (or “loo,” as the Brits call it) equipped with a wireless keyboard and an extendable, height-adjustable plasma screen located directly in front of the seated user.

MSN said it plans to install an external “Hotmail station” on the outside of the MSN iLoo so people can do something useful while they queue. This will include a waterproof keyboard and plasma screen enabling users to surf the Internet while waiting.

Hmmmmm :dubious:

[gotpasswords]

Bill Gates must be just flushed with pride over this one.

Seriously though - they want to put Hotmail terminals in porta-potties? These things suffer from vandalism and swiped supplies often enough as it is.

[scout1222]

Not to mention the line in the ladies’ room is going to be even LONGER now…

You almost done surfin’ in there, honey???

[roadrunner70]

OK…I can die now…

[Cisco]

I saw that on slashdot the other day. What a terrible idea.

First of all, not many people poo in a porty potty (I’m guessing only when it’s absolutely necessary.) Second of all, I’m sure when you’re going through the terrible and potentially humiliating act of pooing in a porty potty the last thing you want to do is relax and do a little web surfing. You want to get out of there as fast as possible.

And of course people aren’t going to have the time (or be in a convienient spot) to use it while they’re peeing.

I’m guessing most people will pee on the keyboard and a few savages will crap on it.

[Ethilrist]

What? No webcam?

[Already_in_Use]

Oh, don’t be such party poopers.

I mean, look at the bright side: What better place could there be to surf porn? I mean, come on, your pants are already down and you’re in an enclosed area…

Am I the only one reminded of this?

[Francesca]

GERMS ON THE KEYBOARD. GERMS ON THE KEYBOARD. AAAHHHHHHH.

[racer72]

I want that T-shirt!! At the bottom of the page Already in Use linked to, there is a box with a cartoon woman and it says “Sometimes men make the strangest requests”. I notice it was a link and clicked on it. I want that T-shirt. And yes, I would wear it in public.

[lieu]

Used to be you could blame typos on being all thumbs.

[Skywatcher]

CNN says it is a hoax.

“This iLoo release came out of the UK office and was not a Microsoft sanctioned communication and we apologize for any confusion or offense it may have caused,” Microsoft spokeswoman Bridgitt Arnold said late Monday.

[Ethilrist]

Confirmed as a hoax by Snopes.

[Duckster]

But is it a hoax in the traditional sense of the word where a third-party created it at the expense of another? Since it originated within the confines of Microsoft UK, later denied by the home office, it appears someone in MS UK is playing a joke on the company.

[Morbo]

It was an inside joke amongst some UK employees, got forwarded to “that guy” (you all have one in your company, I’m sure) who failed to recognize the obvious BS elements (heh) and somehow it leaked out from there. (heh)

[Morbo]

Well, now the word is that it was a real project in the UK for a time. Another proud moment for our PR folks. :rolleyes:

[Troy_McClure_SF]

And, once again, Microsoft is claiming innovation on something Apple pioneered.

[Morbo]

God help me, I downloaded the “test flush” Flash movie.

[Skywatcher]

*Originally posted by Dooku *
**Well, now the word is that it was a real project in the UK for a time. **

NewsFactor Network
The MSN iLoo was not false or a hoax," reads a statement from MSN UK. “It follows a UK strategy to bring the Internet to as many people in Britain as possible and encourage debate about how the Internet can affect our lives now and in the future.” The sober tone of the official explanation so far has failed to stem the tide of ridicule from Microsoft critics – or quell the potty humor in the industry press.