Teenagers Reacts to Windows 95 - can't imagine

The majority of teenagers alive today weren’t alive in the 90s, meaning the oldest version of Windows they’re likely to be familiar with is Windows XP. If that tidbit makes you feel old, you might not want to watch the latest React video from Fine Brothers Entertainment, in which a bunch of teenagers are exposed to the wonders of mid-90s computing and Windows 95 for the first time in their lives. They’re not impressed. 

It starts with first impressions. “The fact that the monitor is bigger than the actual computer itself says a lot” said Daniel, 17 years old, who is young enough to only have vague memories of monitors and TVs that aren’t flat. “I’ve no clue what year this is from, but I feel like it was before the year I was born,” said Geneva, age 18, after seeing the mid-90s Dell. Her math checks out. 

The design flaws we all got used to are evident right away. When asked to turn on the computer, everyone hit the big button on the monitor and waited, something we all probably remember doing at some point. When the computer was turned on, the reactions kept coming. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a computer make these sounds before in my life,” said Morgan, age 19, making anyone who felt nostalgic upon hearing the floppy drive click instantly feel 10 years older.

 Then the teens waited for the BIOS screen to go away. “This is taking a while,” said Karan Brar, reminding the entire planet what life was like back in ancient times when computers took five minutes to start up and Pterodactyls savaged our cattle. 

Things don’t get much better when the operating system’s boot screen is revealed. “95, as in, like, 1995?” asked Alicia, age 16, who has no memories of the 90s but will be able to vote in just two years. Then the operating system finally booted. “Everything looks so dull and ancient,” said Brar. “It seems more rough, the edges are more sharp, it’s a little more impersonal,” said Nora, age 18, who judging by that comment might have a future as a graphic designer.

But perhaps the hardest thing to understand for the teens was the lack of wireless connectivity. “How do you get on the Internet if there’s no Wi-Fi?” asked Alicia, as though the question itself were nonsense. When the produced tried to explain dial-up, things got even more confused. “You’d have to use your phone to go on Internet,” one teen said, while actually miming a smartphone in her hand. It shows just how much the meaning of the word “phone” has changed in the course of a generation. 

The process of connecting to dial-up did not impress anyone, either. “God this is such a pain in the ass,” said Daniel, age 17. It was, Daniel. It was. 

It’s easy to judge teenagers for not knowing their history, but realistically it’s not their fault. Anyone reading this likely never had to crank their car in order to start it, and probably wouldn’t know where to start if presented with a vehicle requiring that. 

“It’s not my fault I was born after this,” said Nora, age 18. She’s right, of course: time marchers forward, and kids have no control over when they’re born. We think this whole thing is a fascinating example of how computer and OS design has evolved over the years.

ODO, a self cleaning denim startup from Pakistan

ODO, a self cleaning denim startup from Pakistan, is aiming to produce jeans and shirts that will auto clean and will never be require a wash. It has crossed $100,000 mark on Kickstarter for its campaign already.

The startup is founded by LUMS alumni Salman Chaudry, who credits the inspiration for ODO to Levi boss Chip Bergh. Bergh had famously stated that he hadn’t washed his jeans in over a year.

Unlike other people who simply shook their heads in disgust and moved on to finding out which ‘Friends’ character they most resembled, Chaudry started thinking hard. A background in textile that’s lasted half a decade meant he was well aware of the amount of water consumed in manufacturing jeans. So how do you avoid sending your jeans to the cleaners and save water? By making them stink and stain proof, of course.

What seems like magic is actually – surprise surprise – science. ODO makes their denim stink proof by interweaving their fabric with pure metallic silver fibers, which counteract the bacteria that feed on sweat and cause an odor. The anti stain feature is a result of how ODO manufacture their products. Instead of a flat surface, their fabric has billions of microscopic peaks, which reduces the contact between the denim and anything touching it. With no adhesion, everything just rolls right off. Here’s the anti-stain denim in action:

Right now, the project is making waves on Kickstarter. The $10,000 goal has been left far behind as 829 backers have pledged more than $108,000 – that too with 28 days left to go. This means ODO is officially the most successful Pakistani project till date. Farhan Masood, one of the brightest minds from Pakistan and the founder of SoloInsight (a ProPakistani favorite), had this to say about ODO:

"I am so Proud to announce that the Kickstarter campaign ODO - Self-Cleaning Denim (made in Pakistan) a startup by a LUMS Alumni Salman Choudhry from Lahore (now in SF) has achieved the rank of highest funded Kickstarter campaign by a Pakistani. They have already crossed $108,045 in their raise and have 29 more days to go.."

They are supported by Founder's Institute's Adeo Ressi and Tesla's Elon Musk (insider info). I have the honor to personally mentor this startup.

Now there’s an endorsement!

If you want to snag some clothes you won’t ever have to wash or clean, head over to the ODO Kickstarter page here. You have the option to purchase a scarve, T-shirt or jeans – all made from the odor free and stain free fabric. Shipping is expected to start in June 2016.

We wish the ODO team best of luck in their Kickstart campaign and subsequent journey. 2016 is already off to a great start and we can’t wait to see what Pakistani startups bring us over the next 12 months!