A fate worse than death

Joi Ito reports that Microsoft's new Longhorn operating system will include a new feature — the Red Screen of Death (RSOD):

Joi notes that the RSOD is not replacing the familiar Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Rather, it's a more serious event reserved "for really bad errors."

You've got to admire how Microsoft is managing user expectations. In the past, getting the dreaded Blue Screen of Death was the worst thing that could happen. But Longhorn users will presumably be happy to get a "mere" BSOD instead of the more lethal red variety.