This new year begins with some new features: the new operating system “version 2032” features several graphical changes. The development team, composed of nostalgic programmers and graphic designers from the 1990s, wanted to revive themes that will fuel much discussion regarding their usefulness. Here’s a preview of the window for copying files from one folder to another.
The idea was born from a programmer nostalgic for country fairs, who found the loading bars of modern operating systems too cold and impersonal. A fan of vintage interfaces, he came up with this file transfer window where the progress is displayed in gallops.
The controversial idea: Instead of the classic sheet of paper “flying” from the source folder to the destination one, a horse appears carrying a data packet on its back.
Let’s be clear: for the user, nothing has changed from the past when copying or downloading a file, and they don’t need to do anything to speed up the process: it’s just a different graphical display than usual. In addition to the graphical effect, there’s also a sound effect.
How it works: Copy speed is calculated in real time based on RAM and connection speed (if the file is uploaded or downloaded over the internet), but with an unusual variable: the “fairground music” emitted by the PC speakers. If copy speed slows, the volume goes down and the horses slow down because they lose their rhythm.
Warning: If you press “Cancel, the horses will stop abruptly and the files will fall to the ground. In the designers’ explanation: you will be forced to start over because the data has been soiled by the fall. The PC screen will vibrate like a famous chat service from the 2000s, and the sound will be that of a brake and fall to the ground.
Conclusion: It’s been called the most pointless modern graphics ever created, but paradoxically, it’s also the only one that makes some people want to copy huge files for no reason just to watch the horses spin. Maybe some people are hoping their transfer speed isn’t too fast, otherwise they’d miss the show.
Interesting Facts
Ethical Processing
After each successful transaction, the system displays a reassuring message:
“No digital horses were exploited or harmed during this upload.”
For more demanding transfers (over 50GB), the software still provides a graphic emoticon that shows an extra ration of virtual hay for the horses.
Cleaning Protocol
If you cancel, the visual effect is complete: you’ll see the horses fall and a cloud of digital dust rise from the bottom of the window. Immediately afterward, small virtual brushes will appear to “dust” the screen from the inside, ensuring your data is clean and ready for another attempt.
These curiosities might help us understand the reason for this graphical update: developers, not having much to work with, given that the operating system is now perfect thanks to the advent of artificial intelligence dedicated to programming, focused on the graphical and creative aspects. So they wondered why not make the OS more fun and visually stunning, thus justifying their salary.
Undoubtedly, the business versions are more serious: no dust appearing or sudden vibrations when canceling.
We’ll be posting an update on this story in a few days. We won’t be sending out newsletters about it, so stay tuned for more on Cipsta.