Operating systems: an analysis

By Todd Stadler · Friday, November 25, 2005 11:06am

Occasionally the metaphors employed by operating systems don't really work out.

The other day, I had deleted several large files, which of course sent them into the Recycling Bin. Now, I suppose it's all good and environmental-y and non-trademark-infringing to name the folder that holds deleted files the Recycling Bin. Even if the icon looks more like a trash can.

An invitation if I ever saw one

But when I right-clicked on the icon to empty the Recycling Bin (that is, to truly delete its contents, just like when you take a real-world recycling bin and dump all the cans inside into a Dumpster), I found myself strangely amused at the option that Windows offered me: I could "explore" the Recycling Bin.

Oh, wouldn't that be fun! What heady journeys I could have exploring the Recycling Bin. Who knows what I'd find — old documents, um ... more old documents? Why, I could spend all day exploring the Recycling Bin!

And that was all good and sarcastic until I went over to my friends' house for Thanksgiving dinner last night. And I watched their eight-month-old daughter enraptured with the notion I was just mocking — exploring the recycling bin. She picked up a crumpled old pie tin and had a ball with it for several minutes before moving on to the toilet paper tube. I know what I'm getting that baby for Christmas!

Anyhow, I'm not sure what to make of all this. Babies acting out the operating system metaphors I find humorously odd? This means something. This is important!