While cleaning out my files (yes, just like everyone else, I get accumulated messes), I found an apparently unfinished project called “101 things to do while waiting for Windows to boot.” I have no idea how original this project was or why it started, but I do know it was never completed, which probably means that Windows of the time (2004) had probably completed booting. Maybe I copied the idea from someone. Since I have no memory of writing this fragment, I could take pleasure from reading it.

The first two things listed are:

Write a letter — No, scratch that. The word processor isn’t up.

Pay bills — No, scratch that. You can’t get online yet.

Later entries include:

Read a Linux manual.

Read an iMac manual.

The first two items are playful and not responsive to the frustration. The other two are implicit cures to the frustration — switching from Windows. Of course another course of action is to wait for several years until both the hardware and software improve such that the startup delay is greatly reduced.

Years ago I owned a Mercedes-Benz diesel. We regularly had what was then called “the Mercedes Meditation Moment” while waiting for the glow plugs to do their thing. This was the equivalent of waiting for Windows to boot, but for some reason I never wrote “101 things to do while waiting for M-B to start.” In fact, I rather liked that car.

Are you still frustrated by waiting for Windows to boot? What do you do to pass the time?