Back when everyone hated Windows XP

ARS Technica takes us on a trip down memory lane, to the months before Windows XP's launch. These days it's easy to forgot but back then there was widespread hostility towards Windows XP, similar to what we've seen with Windows 8. One of the major aspects that pissed people off about Windows XP was the introduction of Product Activation, the licensing system that tied product keys to hardware fingerprints.

On top of that, many people also despised Windows XP's Luna interface, labeling it a "Fisher-Price" or "Teletubby" operating system.

It's an enduring criticism, and yet, it's one that apparently had no resonance with the broader consumer market. PC users flocked to Windows XP in their droves, and not only were they not turned off by the Luna theme, many of them actually appeared to like it. Subsequent operating systems wouldn't stick with Luna, with Windows Vista and 7 both going for something arguably even more over the top with fakery, albeit less colorful, with the Aero Glass theme. Plainly, it wasn't actually a problem for Windows XP's adoption.

You can read the full article at ARS Technica.