How Clippy gets into hundreds of articles about new Teams backgrounds is beyond me.
I mean, first, it’s not really a background… and second, it’s not new. Back from the dead! Beyond the grave. Grumble.
But it is festive and nostalgic and in some ways so very valuably distracting in the workplace, so why not? Let’s celebrate it a bit.
Into every generation comes a vampire. – Holly Black
So mean. I’m sorry. I write to be entertaining… explains a lot.
But really, whatever this Clippy thing (virtual pc assistant) was there to do, was nothing that I needed help with. And as I remember back to Windows 97, I couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. It was bothersome and began the long list of virtual assistants hounding me to help in some way. What I really hated was that now I would forever have to hear my friends yelling at it (Alexa, I’m looking at you here). And that Google one, the Android one and seemingly 99 others on every phone or device I buy. Couldn’t say what Apple does, as I’m not a 16-year-old girl. But I do know that closed system architecture is for suckers. Clown hat, curly hair, frowny face.
As a graphic, or an animation I will admit that it’s festive and inviting, almost cute. In fact, I think it may be hitting on me. So, well done there. As a refreshing throwback for the OG virtual assistant, it was nice to see again and does provide some levity for virtual conferencing backgrounds. In fact, I’m even going to try it, and hope that it doesn’t look like I’m from another vortex, as things seem to go from time to time in this new hybrid workplace.
So yes. There is a Teams background featuring Clippy that people seem to be enjoying. I’m all about people enjoying things, so maybe… Like to offer that cleaning your office or room, as the case may be is far more rewarding and practical. Little paint goes a long way. Framed credentials… Sports memorabilias maybe, if you know I’m saying.
One thing that stands true of course, is that Microsoft Teams is much, MUCH better than Slack or Zoom. There’s no question there. Every time I am forced to have a zoom meeting I find myself thinking, why? Why would you do that? You must not realize Teams is fully integrated with all of your 365 programs. That it provides technical equality across the board for conferencing and collaboration. That is satisfies criteria for enterprise-level Unified Communications in one fell swoop? And the advancements continue, like the ability to use Direct Routing to handle your incoming and outgoing phone calls!
A Microsoft guy I am. I will even admit that I don’t really see how or why it would be necessary to think any other way for user level and platform solutions for the workplace. Frankly, I’m not even sure who is in second place to be honest with you. I do use Kali Linux a lot, so I get the specialized integration of technology As AWS market share continues to fall to Azure, the writing is on the wall. COVID pushed the demand and Microsoft responded, really, really well.
If it helps universal peace at all, then I can smile and think fondly about Clippy. So be it. Clippy it is.
You dance with who brung ya, you know?
For more information, visit this blog article at Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2021/07/08/get-nostalgic-with-new-microsoft-teams-backgrounds/
