The front page of my morning paper...

[susandennis]

Brought this little gem:

This is not a joke: Microsoft Corp. is bringing Internet access to the portable toilet.

The iLoo, developed by Microsoft's MSN division, will be a standard portable toilet (or "loo," as the Brits so quaintly call it) equipped with a wireless keyboard and an extensible, height-adjustable plasma screen located directly in front of the seated user.

MSN plans to install an external "Hotmail station" on the outside of the MSN iLoo so people can do something useful while they queue. This will include a waterproof keyboard and plasma screen enabling users to surf the Internet while waiting.

MSN says it's in talks with toilet-paper makers to produce special paper imprinted with URLs that users may not have tried.

I'm looking forward to how they work that smurky butterfly into commercials for this.

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Comments

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

Trust you to come up with the weirdest story of the week - no, make that month.

Sounds like this is going to do nothing for the lineups ouside the ladies loos, and now the men's loos are going to be just as bad. It's enough to make me feel more than a little flushed!

[susandennis]

And trust you to come up with the worst pun!!! It's a dirty job but I'm ever so grateful we have you to do it!

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

No problem. My mind's usually in the sewer anyway, so its only a hop, step and a jump to come up with this kind of thing.

[emjaybaxter.livejournal.com]

Should that be It's a dirty job or It's a CRAPPY job?

Great story though. I can't wait to get one, so I don't have to sneak the newspaper into the toilet.

[hlee.livejournal.com]

MSN says it's in talks with toilet-paper makers to produce special paper imprinted with URLs that users may not have tried.

It's nice to know they're not going 100% digital.

In some restaurant restrooms down here there are newspaper pages in clear plastic cases to read while at the urinal.

[tinman.livejournal.com]

The worst part is that the keyboards will be wireless so the user can put them on his/her lap. Ewww...

as long as they don't support webcams ...

[henare.livejournal.com]

cuz that would be just gross.

[judith.livejournal.com]

Are we all really really certain this is not a joke?

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

I believed it at first, but the more I think about it - and actually picture the thing in my mind - it sounds like it could be a hoax. It's such a bizarre story. Either that or Susan is feeling much better after being sick for a week and wants to get us all giggly and silly again in a hurry, just like old times

And, btw, how come no oone else has heard this story. Eh, Susan?

[susandennis]

All I know is what I read and it's still on the paper's website. I'm thinking if it were a joke they would have said so... but, what do I know???

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/120677_iloo06.html

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

Well, it sure looks offical - and it's not April 1 either, so I'm sorry I doubted you.

And besides, stranger things have happened. You guys elected that Bush fellow for one, didnt you?

[joyofmacs.livejournal.com]

Can you imagine the complaints when the network is down/slow/

"I can't get online, my connection is CRAP."

I just like to go sit on the throne and get the job done. I am not a reader or lolligagger in the bathroom. i know, TMI, right? :-P

[susandennis]

Maybe TMI for some but I'm right with you. I never am there long enough for reading material and I never ever remember to bring my magic marker to leave pithy phrases on the sides of the stalls. I guess we are just a couple of loo-loosers!

[joyofmacs.livejournal.com]

"I'm looking forward to how they work that smurky butterfly into commercials for this."

They could get Mr. Hanky from South Park to put on some wings. Dunno if you ever watch that show.

[minimac.livejournal.com]

To quote M after reading this to her: "Microsoft has more money than sense"...
I tend to agree....