http://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/Default.aspx

It's not very often that this happens, so it seemed blog-worthy... even though Microsoft software is reasonably prone to falling over, the microsoft.com property (in all its massiveness) seems to be pretty good most days... but not today :-)

I was looking up the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List and lo and behold... not a 404, not a 403, no redirected pretty catchall page... just a plain ol' black on white HTML page with the words "Service Unavailable" plastered on it in <h1> tags!

The list's usually alive at http://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/Default.aspx ...but not today :-)

HP TouchSmart PC IQ770

HP TouchSmart PC IQ770

So apparently it's pretty cool. Apparently designed for the kitchen. Hmm. Do they know that fingers in kitchens are usually pretty greasy? I guess that's the point of the infrared based touchscreen - the challenge is to use it without touching it. Ever. !! Actually, I'll add it to my list of almost-must-(but-actually-only-if-really-bored-)have gadgets.

Do the keyboard, mouse + remote tuck away somewhere nicely or are they expected to live between the sink and the hob?

My kitchen is within viewing & listening distance of my television... so I guess I' only need a music / internet device, not a 19" widescreen PC with 2 media centres built-in. And no, I don't want a blu-ray drive or hd-dvd or tv tuner. Somehow I think I'd rather watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster from the comfort of my sofa. Radio, definitely - but then that's what the internet is for dummy!

I actually like this gadget but it's kinda wrong for the kitchen... a kitchen box would be smaller, more practical and cheaper. I would position it a bit differently - look at the RedTen MPZ. They would scream if someone said kitchen to them (2 years ago). Mind you, they never got very far either, so maybe not eh...

:-)

p.s. does naming something IQ make it more clever?