I’ve never used Windows XP, although I’ve seen friends using it… after reading Mark Pilgrim‘s revealing post “How to install Windows XP in 5 hours or less“, I resolved to never touch it in the future, either.

…

43. Install Mozilla. Yes, I would like to make you my default browser. The world is happiness and glee.

44. “Take a tour of Windows XP!” Sigh.

45. “30 days left for activation!” Click. Yes, I would like to activate Windows over an active internet connection, now that I have one. No, I would not like to register with Microsoft. Yes, I have read the privacy statement and agree to give up my computer, my civil rights, and my first-born child. I wasn’t using my civil rights anyway.

…

53. Yes, I agree to bend over, grease up, and accept the End User License Agreement.

54. Wait. Time passes.

55. Wait. Time passes.

56. Wait. Time passes. It is getting dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

57. Reboot.

58. “Take a tour of Windows XP!”

…

It took 147 steps. Admittedly, this is a not-very-standard installation for a job he needs to do specifically on XP…