What: 
Leading the dominant PC manufacturer into interactive media.

When:  1997

Project Challenge: 
Compaq, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of PCs, asked Funny Garbage (FG) to redesign its Presario desktop interface. Compaq’s goal was to enhance the user experience by leveraging its huge base of installed browsers.

How did we do it?
Through intuitive design and clear understanding of the role content would play on the web, FG helped position Compaq as a competitive communications company. In particular, we led the integration of the desktop with web functionality, making the Internet a seamless part of Presario’s active desktop experience.

FG designed and developed two Compaq web channels as part of the launch of Microsoft’s IE4.0. This gave us the chance to develop and execute novel uses of fresh technologies within IE4.0 and to demo a wide variety of new technologies. We assisted Compaq in the acquisition and development of content partners, while producing numerous pieces of original content.

The trademarked “Captain Compaq” character and the patented “WeatherWindow” active desktop element that displays visual, real time weather conditions are two pieces of unique content generated by FG. These components added unrivaled interactive depth to the Compaq brand. We also invented an extensive broadband test for Compaq, incorporating innovative interface designs to house a variety of rich media content, while allowing simple access from an elegant series of menus and categories.