Sound of Vista boot-up revealed

HANDS UP those who love that xylophone plinky-plonky sound that Windows makes when you're ready to log on?

Exactly, well in that case you'll be happy/depressed to learn more about the new sound that is being developed for Vista.

It has long been a matter of record among those who care about such nonsense that the force behind this OS overture is being composed by Robert Fripp, a guitarist best known for his prog-rock noodlings with King Crimson.

A brief glimpse at Elephant Talk, the site for fans of such stuff, suggests Fripp has been recently working on a preface to harmonium music of the 1940s and has recorded material with noted ambient muso sound maker Brian Eno. Recent Fripp concerts have included appearances at cathedrals.

Given that local knowledge, expect a harmonium soundscape hymn to greet you on Vista boot-up. Or, given the vogue for revisiting music that time forgot, an extended 15-minute remix of In The Court of The Crimson King.

Altogther now:

The keeper of the city keys Put shutters on the dreams. I wait outside the pilgrims door With insufficient schemes. The black queen chants The funeral march, The cracked brass bells will ring; To summon back the fire witch To the court of the crimson king.

Anyhow, according to - who else? - former Microsoft geek blogger Robert Scoble, Microsoft is "heading down a path of making this a non-customizeable [sic] sound that can't be turned off".

The good news, if you choose to believe it, is that your objection to this could still be heard.

Scoble also includes some blather about "the emotional experience of how sounds will fit into the overall experience of using your computer".

TRIVIA AND FRIPPERY

Dorset-born Robert Fripp is 60 and is married to actress and screecher Toyah Willcox. He has worked with musicians including this laugh-a-minute mob: Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Talking Heads, David Sylvian, David Bowie and, ulp, Van Der Graaf Generator. For God's sake don't let him start a supergroup. µ