IF THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE WERE RUNNING A MICROSOFT OS ---------------------------------------------------- The 24th century will be a lot different if Microsoft were still around. For example: Captain Picard enters the bridge and says, "I don't recall giving an order to enter warp." Lt Commander Data responds, "Captain, the ship has not entered warp, the 'Flying Through Space' screensaver has simply activated itself. As the Enterprise is about to enter battle, Captain Picard commands the ship's computer to raise the shields. The computer completely ignores him for at least ten seconds. During the crew's terrified silence, they can hear the computer accessing the iso-linear memory circuits for absolutley no reason. Finally the computer responds and raises the shields five milliseconds before the ship is struck by a photon torpedo. After Lt Commander Data finishes plotting a course to the nearest starbase, he presses the "engage" button. The computer responds with an "Unrecoverable Application Error." The Enterprise computer has just been upgraded. As it is booted for the first time, it begins running the MSSSN (Microsoft Sub-Space Network) Setup Wizard automatically. Natually the setup fails when the Setup Wizard requires the names of the nearest 125 SubSpace Routers; which no one has handy. Geordi has just finished upgrading the warp core. He instructs the computer to perform a level 3 diagnostic to detect the new core. The computer scans for new hardware and after six hours, detects the new warp core. The computer then begins the process of installing a new driver. It requests that Lt Commander LaForge place crystal 276 in Crystal Drive A. After five minutes the computer instructs that he remove the crystal and insert crystal 227. Another five minutes later Crystal 163, followed by 206, then 212, then 198, ... Lt. Worf and Cmdr. Riker complete their latest Holodeck adventure. Riker commands the computer to "end program." A cloud pattern appears in the sky and a giant rotating Microsoft logo appears in the center of the room. The computer announces, "Please wait while the MS Holodeck shuts down." When the Holodeck fails to shut down properly (Normally, the room turns black and the doors open), Lt Worf must use the manual override to exit the Holodeck and cut power to it. Next time the Holodeck is used, it spends twenty minutes running a level 5 diagnostic since it wasn't shut down properly.