The Windows 2000 launch in San Francisco included an expo staffed by team members, with a smaller group invited to the main event at the Civic Auditorium. Arriving early, the author explored an unlocked door into the empty upper level and found a stage dominated by a 10-meter mock laptop, projection screens, gray curtains, and an airplane cabin set.
A rehearsal announcement sounded, lights dimmed, and the giant laptop lid slowly opened. A simulated sign-in and Start button click triggered a video montage, followed by a voice declaring, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Patrick Stewart!” Seconds later, a headset-wearing crew member bounded onstage impersonating Stewart for camera and lighting tests.
The actual event proceeded with the real Patrick Stewart, whose commanding presence made even teleprompter lines sound compelling. A sketch in the airplane cabin featured actor John O’Hurley as William Wentworth, demonstrating infrared file sharing and mobile scenarios. The author, Raymond Chen, has chronicled Windows evolution for over 30 years on *The Old New Thing*.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing