funny packaging...

This is the box (and vista) that apparently many people couldn't figure out how to open.

They were suppose to pull the tab (below) - but there is invisible tape at the top - that goes over
what appears to be the serial number (its not) and it rips when you try to remove it.

So instead of marking the top sticker red - with a dotted line - or a sciccors icon - MS added another sticker to let people know to pull the tab - and slide out the box...

but when they did this - they added another invisible sticker - this time in the center of the side of the box
that wraps right around to the back of the box.

so the sticker - showing how to open the box - adds yet another method of keeping
the box closed - and does not explain that there are (now 2) invisible stickers that need to be
sliced through - to open the box.  

*edit: I took the above photos - pointing the sticker into the light - till i could see a shine. Normally - the sticker is pretty much undetectable = the issue

The sticker on the side isn't that bad, because it can be removed.  It's the sticker on the top that's the problem--  it's over the certificate of authenticity, and the COA tears if you take the sticker off.

I think I ultimately ended up cutting mine with an Exacto knife.

..but the one on the side is the funny part.

 

icons showing the obvious - but not the problem - and then doubling the problem 

CannotResolveSymbol wrote:

The sticker on the side isn't that bad, because it can be removed.  It's the sticker on the top that's the problem--  it's over the certificate of authenticity, and the COA tears if you take the sticker off.

I think I ultimately ended up cutting mine with an Exacto knife.

Strange, the Office 2007 box (Home & Student) I got and installed for a friend had the CoA under the plastic of the box and the product key was inside the fall-out section.

the product key is inside. - the barcode is on the top

one things for sure - you shouldnt place a plastic sticker - on top of a paper sticker.. mine ripped - so i used my thumbnails

i think they are switching away from these boxes anyway (office mac) they are very un-environment friendly even though they have a patent on the box design

Weird, neither my Vista box nor my Office box has a ripped sticker.

I bought my Vista Ultimate x64 OEM so I didn't get the fancy packaging.

Electronic and Tech packings suck nowadays. I received Office and Vista via the Power Together Campaign, so I didn't have this issue.

Mark Cuban had a related incident awhile ago...
http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/08/11/seagate-leaves-me-bloody/

mcampbell wrote:

Electronic and Tech packings suck nowadays. I received Office and Vista via the Power Together Campaign, so I didn't have this issue.

Mark Cuban had a related incident awhile ago...
http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/08/11/seagate-leaves-me-bloody/

No joke.  I went to a hardware store and bought a pair of heavy duty scissors to open up those damn plastic shells.

Someone is going to seriously hurt themselves and then the lawsuits will stop the shenanigans, but until then...

I just don't understand why they can't use cardboard.  At least it's recyclable.

ScanIAm wrote:

I just don't understand why they can't use cardboard.  At least it's recyclable.

Prosterity?

There was something strange with Microsoft's boxed software (old style, 1993 through 2004), they had the same damned offline Product Registration form since 1995 for a good 9 years.

Aren't the new boxes for Office 2008 the replacement for the Vista, Office 2007 box?

ScanIAm wrote:



mcampbell wrote: Electronic and Tech packings suck nowadays. I received Office and Vista via the Power Together Campaign, so I didn't have this issue. Mark Cuban had a related incident awhile ago... http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/08/11/seagate-leaves-me-bloody/

No joke.  I went to a hardware store and bought a pair of heavy duty scissors to open up those damn plastic shells.

Someone is going to seriously hurt themselves and then the lawsuits will stop the shenanigans, but until then...

I once injured myself with one of those shells when, after cutting it open, I tried to tear the rest of it. My hand slipped, and the freshly torn plastic sheet slid right under the nail of my thumb, halfway down. Good times.

ScanIAm wrote:



mcampbell wrote: Electronic and Tech packings suck nowadays. I received Office and Vista via the Power Together Campaign, so I didn't have this issue. Mark Cuban had a related incident awhile ago... http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/08/11/seagate-leaves-me-bloody/

No joke.  I went to a hardware store and bought a pair of heavy duty scissors to open up those damn plastic shells.

Someone is going to seriously hurt themselves and then the lawsuits will stop the shenanigans, but until then...

I just don't understand why they can't use cardboard.  At least it's recyclable.

I just celebrated my 9 yr old and my 7 yr old's birthday's this weekend, that was the scary part, watching my 7 yr old try tearing into a Dora the Explorer Fairytale doll with the heavy plastic.

Scared the crap outa me because of the dexterity, all you need to do is slide your hand/finger the right way and you can cut yourself on it.

Cybermagellan wrote:



ScanIAm wrote:  mcampbell wrote: Electronic and Tech packings suck nowadays. I received Office and Vista via the Power Together Campaign, so I didn't have this issue. Mark Cuban had a related incident awhile ago... http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/08/11/seagate-leaves-me-bloody/ No joke.  I went to a hardware store and bought a pair of heavy duty scissors to open up those damn plastic shells. Someone is going to seriously hurt themselves and then the lawsuits will stop the shenanigans, but until then... I just don't understand why they can't use cardboard.  At least it's recyclable.

I just celebrated my 9 yr old and my 7 yr old's birthday's this weekend, that was the scary part, watching my 7 yr old try tearing into a Dora the Explorer Fairytale doll with the heavy plastic.

Scared the crap outa me because of the dexterity, all you need to do is slide your hand/finger the right way and you can cut yourself on it.

What's even more annoying, is that at some grocery stores, they sell berries (and baked goods) in very similar containers.  You don't need to cut them out, but the effort it takes to pop them open will sometimes rip the container edge. 

Plastic isn't always our friend

Leopard came in a cardboard box. No stickers, not even any flaps. The whole "ensemble" just slips right out. Magic! Haha, although I have to say the Vista book looks neato.

theshadguy wrote:

Leopard came in a cardboard box. No stickers, not even any flaps. The whole "ensemble" just slips right out. Magic! Haha, although I have to say the Vista book looks neato.

Vista/Office would just slip right out of the box too if they didn't put so many stickers on it...  the stickers aren't even necessary to hold the box closed, because the box is designed to stay shut unless you pull it.

jamie wrote:



..but the one on the side is the funny part.

 

icons showing the obvious - but not the problem - and then doubling the problem 

Yes, it needs another sticker to explain that.

Howto on opening vista box:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2e680b8d-211e-41c5-a0bf-9ccc6d7e62a21033.mspx