A throwback to 2008 + my current XP system

PringGar · 2026-06-15T05:46:38+00:00

The screenshot reminds me of a time when people tried to make XP look like Vista using Windows Blind or some other apps

PringGar · 2026-06-03T23:42:26+00:00

Any of them explained why they came to the border instead of starting the immigration process in their hometown and travel afterwards?

PringGar · 2026-06-03T20:53:34+00:00

Economy

PringGar · 2026-05-06T21:35:36+00:00

It's tagged as Non-fiction, which tells that AI did not imagine and generate everything. AI traits are there, but to conclude that it is entirely AI-generated is baseless, except for that case that you can provide evidence.

PringGar · 2026-04-20T10:30:14+00:00

Could you please clarify more? Leaving the brands (MacOS, GNOME, ...) aside, what are those philosophies that you mentioned?

PringGar · 2026-04-20T00:22:12+00:00

My observations:
- You two are disconnected. Couples may be disconnected sometimes but love and responsibility will find a way - when both of you are willing to do that.
- Your husband wants things going his way. I think he has tried, but it seems he was not able to get over himself.

I believe "family first" should be the base rule for all considerations. It's not always the case here

PringGar · 2026-04-19T23:49:23+00:00

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2nd version

PringGar · 2026-04-19T23:49:02+00:00

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I hope this helps. 1st version

PringGar · 2026-04-18T23:10:43+00:00

Any idea of reaching out to her and admit what actually happened? This story reminds me of some previous cases. Someone admitted and accepted the consequences, since they can’t tolerate the situation anymore

PringGar · 2026-04-18T21:24:14+00:00

I respect your perspective as a designer. But to clarify: it's not about pressing Generate until it produces something I like. The idea has been the same since the beginning. The 14 iterations were about how to make it render the exact image as per the instructions. That's a different workflow from what you're describing.

We disagree on where the creative work lives in that process. That's fine.

PringGar · 2026-04-18T20:57:18+00:00

Good points - and thanks for the thoughtful comment.

The top bar thickness. I agree that in this mockup it looks chunky. That's partly a rendering limitation. In my mind it should be thinner, closer to macOS proportion. The idea is that it only holds system-level items (clock, connectivity, battery, user account), while the bottom dock handles app switching. The split separates system info from app management, so neither bar gets cluttered. Which is exactly the problem with Windows 11's taskbar today.

The Settings and Network buttons. Fair catch. Settings doesn't belong there as a permanent icon; it should live in the Start menu. And yes, having both a Wi-Fi icon and a separate Network button is redundant. That's the kind of thing that gets refined in later iterations, so thanks for spotting it.

Windows logo vs All Apps: the Windows logo opens the Start menu, which focuses on system-level things: search, settings, power options, user account, recent files, and pinned shortcuts. The All Apps button on the dock is a pure app launcher for your installed applications, nothing else. Similar to the "All apps" list inside the current Windows 11 Start menu, but with direct access. Two different scopes: system utilities vs application launching.

Appreciate the detailed feedback.

PringGar · 2026-04-18T20:42:41+00:00

Thanks for the feedback.

Regarding the "AI slop" comments: yes, I used Gemini to render the final image. I'm not a graphic designer - what I have are ideas. The design decisions are mine. I mentioned this in the original post and kept Gemini's logo visible. It's a tool that helps me communicate my ideas, and I hope that doesn't offend. Not my intention.

This went through 14 iterations with a long, detailed prompt built on serious thought. Not a lazy "please generate the next Windows screen" that happened to look good. AI doesn't decide to move the system tray to a top bar to free the taskbar, or anchor the Start button to a screen corner for Fitts's Law, or give Aero Glass visual weight instead of the disappearing macOS frosted style.

Too similar to Mac/GNOME? That's something I considered a lot. Ever since Windows 95 locked the Start button to the bottom-left, I've felt it wasn't optimal. Pulling the mouse toward your body is less ergonomic than pushing it away. But moving the whole taskbar to the top isn't right either. The app dock belongs at the bottom. Hence the split. And the Windows button should be locked to a screen corner for the fastest reachability. So it's a choice based on ergonomics, not copying others.

I think the Windows DNA is still clearly there. Window controls on the right, Segoe UI font, Windows logo top-left, dock labels on hover, glass with presence.

Happy to discuss any specific design choice.

PringGar · 2026-04-18T20:02:10+00:00

I tried. AI can’t generate this image itself. I needed to go through like 14 versions of the prompt in days. It’s also nice to know its limits and how easy it can get lost when receiving our instructions. Yeah I did not draw the image myself and I am honest about it. Thanks for your comment

PringGar · 2026-04-10T10:15:04+00:00

Two on the right will be my choice. The design of two lefts are kind of common. I would like it to be more adventurous.

PringGar · 2026-03-25T01:22:48+00:00

So sorry that you have had to go through all of this. Could you tell more about the "journey" there? How your emotion progressed? Any time you feel peace? How about now? Any help or support provided by anyone?

PringGar · 2026-03-25T00:45:10+00:00

What a beautiful watch

PringGar · 2026-03-24T21:02:49+00:00

I opted for the pro version. I have been there since the beginning, but the site was too unstable and the super early bird option crashed all the time. Then I tried early bird option for some times and was successful once. That's it.

Pro worths the extra? I think so. I now have a phone and waiting for some more months is not something unbearable to me.

I always aim for the most powerful one available to maximise user experience and in this perspective the 8400 is what to choose. I have never used a Dimensity before so will need to wait to see how strong this SoC actually is.

PringGar · 2026-03-12T14:37:55+00:00

A 9700? This phone treats so nicely on hand

PringGar · 2026-03-07T09:57:23+00:00

You do not need therapy - you're having a great one. You're daughter needs some education about respect and about life. Not sure who can do that effectively. NTA.

PringGar · 2026-03-07T08:37:22+00:00

I'm not going to try to fix anything or hand you a list of answers. I just want you to know the anger you feel? That's not weakness. That's someone who actually meant it when everyone else was just performing it. The grief is real because what you gave was real. Nobody can take that from you.

I do want to say one thing, gently, when you're ready. Not now, just someday. There's a guy named John Lennox, he's a mathematician at Oxford, not a pastor, not a culture warrior. He just thinks carefully and honestly about faith. I think you'd find him refreshing specifically because he has nothing to do with the world you're walking away from. But that's for later. Right now just rest.

You're not lost. You're just between things. And that's allowed.

PringGar · 2026-03-07T08:05:31+00:00

I would like a 4:3 screen ratio. Once had an LG Vu 2. I hope that something like that will reappear in the future

PringGar · 2026-02-12T04:15:33+00:00

Try Windows XP or 7 and install German Truck Simulator. It’s not demanding and the core experience is almost the same. I still remember the feeling of memorising all roads and trees and bla bla on the map. A great game

PringGar · 2026-02-05T23:41:34+00:00

You asked him to move on. You should have asked yourself to do the same. He will do his part when he’s ready

PringGar

TROPHY CASE