● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Recollections of attending the Windows 2000 launch rehearsal
Key points
- Windows 2000 team members attended the launch expo.
- An unlocked door allowed access to the auditorium rehearsal.
- The rehearsal featured a giant laptop prop and video montage.
- Patrick Stewart was revealed as the launch event host.
Windows 2000 Launch Event Preparations
The Windows 2000 launch in San Francisco included an expo where team members provided information and answered technical questions. A smaller group of these team members was selected to attend the main launch event at the Civic Auditorium.
Unauthorized Access to Rehearsal
Before the doors opened for the main event, one team member found an unlocked door and entered the empty upper level of the auditorium. This allowed them to observe the stage setup and subsequent rehearsal without authorization.
Stage Setup and Rehearsal Details
The stage featured a 10-meter tall mock laptop, projection screens, and various demo areas, including an airplane cabin set. During the rehearsal, the giant laptop's lid closed and then opened, displaying a Windows 2000 login sequence. A video montage followed, concluding with an announcement introducing Patrick Stewart as the event's host. A crew member then mimicked Stewart's entrance for camera and lighting adjustments.
Post-Rehearsal Departure
After the rehearsal concluded and the lights came back on, the team member left the auditorium and rejoined the waiting crowd. The information about the celebrity host was not shared with others before the official event began.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
A former Windows 2000 team member recounts sneaking into the Civic Auditorium before the official launch event. The individual observed a rehearsal for the opening sequence, including a mock login and the reveal of Patrick Stewart as the celebrity host.