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McDonalds to Embed Windows XP

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

December 7, 2005, 3:34 PM

McDonalds and Microsoft on Wednesday announced a deal to utilize Windows XP Embedded across the fast food giant's stores. Microsoft's componentized version of Windows will take orders and enable Mickey D's to accept new forms of payment such as gift cards, and train employees faster.

Windows XP Embedded has already been deployed across "several thousand" stores in Europe and Asia. Now, McDonalds will roll out the platform worldwide. Microsoft lauded the partnership for bringing an "open technology platform" to the restaurant chain and ensuring "the next generation of customer service innovations."

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By robertguero

posted Jun 6, 2008 - 5:29 AM

Since so many acronyms floating around anyone know what the McD STOW stands for? you know the McD in a convenience store.

Score: 0

By robertguero

posted Jun 6, 2008 - 5:25 AM

BOTTOMLINE YEARS LATER.

Win XPE has been working well in McD. It has made knowledge of register menu screens much faster to learn. It seems to be very stable in this enviroment. The newest version of software, 6.2, has really made things easy from a installer point of view. It would be wonder full if they went totally wireless but I think there is enough credit card information floating around in the air as it is.

Win XPE gave menu items face, really pictures but you get it. You want a BigMac it got a pic of it and that is what you touch. Drive-Thru puts pic of car and you to order so less chance of you getting someones elses order.

Good jump McDonalds. I advise every O/O (owner/operator) that ask for advice to get the new 6.2.

Score: 0

By klingon379

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 3:29 AM

The only stable operating systems Microsoft has created are Windows Server 2003 and OS's based on the Windows Server 2003 code base (like Windows XP 64-bit Edition).

On 32-bit Windows XP SP 2 just try running a full screen game like Doom 3 in ultra mode and see what happens if you leave it running in the background while you browse the web or check your e-mail. I guarantee you 32-bit Windows XP will become very unstable. It doesn't matter how powerful your hardware is.

Score: 0

By nightops

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 12:49 PM

"open technology platform"...that doesn't belong on the same page as Windows XP Embedded...nor Windows for that matter. I used to work at McD's...the Point Of Sale (POS) system that they used is pretty quick and simple... Unless customer's are going to be ordering crap themselves, what's the point?

Score: 0

By Scary Guy

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 10:33 AM

I heard Burger King is switching to open source.

OK no I didn't but it would be really cool to get Tux toys with the kids meals and stuff.

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 9:45 AM

ok ok ok, Here's a better one!

Skit 1

Customer 1: What happend to McDonalds?

Customer 2: Oh, They moved over there, they're "Microdonalds" now!

-----------------------------------------------
Drummer: Dun dun Tshhhh!
-----------------------------------------------
Skit 2.

What do you get, when you cross Microsoft With McDonalds?

A car wreck in the drive thru'!

-----------------------------------------------
Drummer: Dun DUn Tsssshh
-----------------------------------------------
Skit 3.

Man I tell ya'! McDonalds is slow enough as it is. I don't know what Microsoft is trying to do! I mean, I already gotta wait 25 Minutes in the drive thru' for my Big Mac and fries, now it's gonna take an extra 5 minutes everytime Windows Crashes! I'm gonna pull up to the drive thru speaker and ask for a #1, and the employee is gonna tell me to hold on because he's validating windows to get Windows updates, Then I'm gonna have to wait in line like I usually do, then I'm gonna pay for a $4 meal with a $20 bill, and get $4 in change back. What!? How does this work!? Well, you know how M$ is, after everyones money, just like Korea is after theirs! So then after about 25 Minutes, I finally get to the final window, I mean, how many windows do they have to have!? Soon it's gonna be like, 1 Window to take your order, 1 window to take your cash, 1 window for your change, 1 window for your credit card, 1 window to give you your drink, another for you fries, and finally, you get your cheeseburger! That's another thing..>Credit cards...What are they gonna use? Bar Tender? That program crashes windows more than Old people crash cars! Oh well, what are we gonna do? I know what I'm gonna do...Wendy's or burger king! :)

Drummer: Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun tshhh!!

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 9:36 PM

I think this is a great idea. The alternative might have been Linux, and one can only imagine how customer service might have degraded. For instance:

Customer: I'd like a mac please

Employee: Uhm..I can't pull up 'mac'

Customer: What? This is Mcdonald's, you have macs

Employee: It just keeps saying item not found

Manager: Jeff, hello, you have to put Big_Mac, its case sensitive you idiot.

Employee: Oh I see, sorry about that. Oh and I can't get his total, I can't find calc.exe

Manager: COMPILE THE CALCULATOR SCRIPT FIRST AND THERES NO EXE FILE! Sheesh, you can't get good help these days

Employee: Would you like a drink with that, sir?

Customer: ....

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 11:30 PM

Umm... sure...

That's about as effective as the Windows scenario posted below.

Score: 0

By ToyBoy

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 7:45 PM

Would you like a BSOD with that order sir?

Sorry sir, youll have to place your order via MS Live, our server is currently applying McPatches to avoid some new McVirus's that are trying to attack our FAT System (Fat As Takeaway), so we'll be upgrading to WINFS (Windows based FAT System!) in the not to distant future.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 7:10 PM

too many ms basher here. i have been using xp for years, and have yet experience any crash. 2 major corporations where i work in use xp, and yet very hasn't experience any crash. only thing that crash is lotus notes.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 7:17 PM

I enjoy joking about MS products, but they are just that--jokes. My personal favorite is the oximoron "Microsoft Works". Back to topic: I do think XP Embedded is actually stable, and remember this version will not be vulnerable to ActiveX scripts and the like as it is not directly connected to the Internet anyway...

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 10:54 AM

Exactly, Jokes are what they are, jokes :)

Score: 0

By googun

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 6:06 PM

McWindows ... yummy. Would you like a coronary with that?

Score: 0

By Neoprimal

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 6:00 PM

Actually XP embedded is pretty stable. I don't know HOW much more stable it is than the systems they are using. But as for training employees, I suppose what they mean by that is, it's going to be easier to train someone on a familiar system than something that is different from what they know....ya know? Most people have XP at home, and though it's going to be a McDs version of the OS, under it at the core lies XP. I'm guessing it'll be super easily upgraded when it has to be.

Only time will tell though. Lets see if getting food goes from 4-5 minutes to 10-15..lol

Score: 0

By nightops

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 12:52 PM

The McD's POS (Point of Sale) OS is a derivative of Linux...so it's stable as all heck ;-)

Score: 0

By robertguero

edited Jun 6, 2008 - 5:05 AM

No McD writes there own software and the first was PCPOS so its DOS based. Now the ISP (In Store Processor) is Linux based but it is only to make it easier for the management to gather and edit information.

Score: 0

By Big_Mac

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 8:53 AM

That is not exactly true.
The McDonald's POS software is based upon MS-DOS 6.22 Embedded. Part of the reason they are moving to Windows XP Embedded is due to discontinuation of support of DOS Embedded by Microsoft. Also POS 5.25.xx supports gift cards already.

The ISP software that is used in most stores runs on SCO Unix. At the time of development of the ISP, Linux did not even exist at all.

I work at McDonalds with the registers on the regular basis.

Score: 0

By robertguero

posted Jun 6, 2008 - 5:15 AM

Im sorry he is correct. Unix. Always get those mixed up. We dont do much work on the back side of the ISP but yes McD had ISP before there was ISP(internet service provider).

So who are you "Big_Mac"? Need a job?

Score: 0

By thvwlshvscpd

edited Dec 15, 2005 - 3:38 PM

Was the development of McDonald's ISP started before 1991? I seriously doubt that. I have Acer Altos around here and Olivetti M4s that aren't that old. SCO may have been slightly more robust at the time, but a move away from DOS to any flavor of Windows will be a nightmare.

Score: 0

By katipo

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 5:50 PM

I'll be darned if I can figure out how switching to windows will help them train employees faster!

Exactly how fast can you actually teach somebody to say "Do you want fries with that?" ?

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 6:34 PM

They have to teach them what all the pictures on the cash register mean. Windows is good with pictures =p

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:54 PM

Sounds fine as long as they can keep out worms.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 10:02 PM

They're switching to MS, not Sony BMG.

Oh, I thought you said rootkits.

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:50 PM

*A customer Walks into McDonalds*

Customer: Excuse me miss, I ordered a cheese burger 30minutes ago and I'm still waiting for it!!

Employee: huh? oh...well the norton thingy is scanning it for virus's

Customer: What???

Employee: Yeah, this windows thing has virus's so we're scanning it with norton

Customer: But it's a cheeseburger!

Employee: Cheeseburger? I'm talking about this computer!

Customer: What about my cheeseburger? Where's my cheeseburger!?

Employee: Wha? um...Cheeseburger...Did you want a cheeseburger?

Customer: ah! Forget it! I'm going to Burger king

Employee: OoO! Can you get me a whopper!?

Score: 0

By THZGryphon

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 5:42 PM

*yawn*

Score: 0

By BklynKid

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 5:10 PM

Not funny.

Score: 0

By Jose

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:40 PM

If they switched from *nix to Windows, does that mean we should start scanning our burgers for viruses?

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 4:43 PM

Side question: Why is it that BetaNews won't let us say the word Unix? Is that a curse word in German or something?

LOL NM, apparently they will...WTF?

Score: 0

By GeorgeSantayana

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 6:14 PM

It's not a curse word. Anyone who speaks the ineffable name of the Most Perfect OS will be struck by lightning.

Score: 0

By Kramy

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 5:18 PM

*nix refers to Unix(Cmdline stuff) and Linux(usually GUI).

A unix based billing program will likely resemble DOS. A Linux based one would likely resemble something windows like....though whether it resembles NT or XP would be up to the linux distro.

Score: 0

By boner24

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:18 PM

XP Embedded stable? You *are* kidding. I've seen so many kiosks, screens, slideshows, booths, cash machines et al with bombed out XP Embedded.

And to call it an "open technology platform" is like calling Hitler humanitarian.

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 4:47 AM

XPe can be stable, but it down to how well the designer configures it.

We use XPEmbedded here, and it's very stable. More stable than regular XP, but that because it's well designed (I would say that, as I designed it...)

If you throw lots of components into the mix, and add unsigned drivers, anything can happen...

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 5:51 PM

Top 3 error messages:

EDIT: "fries.dll has caused an invalid page fault in module happymeal.exe..."

"Error in Line 2: Expected--'fries' with 'cheeseburger'"

"Breakfast.SYS halted--cereal port not responding."

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 7:04 PM

LOL

Score: 0

By Fidelio

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 6:40 PM

Man... you're still in DOS ages...

Windows XP embedded is extremely flexible and allows you to include only the specific components of the OS you need. Even explorer.exe is not necessary to run it. You can have your customized UI, and only the parts of Windows you need... no WMP, no IE, no Messenger.

This is not the full Windows XP, is just those components you need to run your solution. Even you can get a fresh OS image from a server each time you boot if you want.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 7:12 PM

I was joking, I actually use almost strictly MS products. Thanks though...

Score: 0

By Kramy

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 5:16 PM

Lol! Funny!...

One thing though...the first one should be "invalid page fault". General page faults happen all the time, if I understand that right. For example, Kerio Personal Firewall has several million page faults on my system, all caused by updating the icon(apparently).

I Like two.

I love number three! :D

Score: 0

By FlAshdobe

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:17 PM

Attention Please:

Windows XP McDonalds Edition is coming soon ;)

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:14 PM

The article toutes XP embedded, but that's not the application that will allow them to do all these things, it's just the OS.

I wonder if they are writing homegrown code for it.

Score: 0

By skonrad

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:14 PM

"... across the fast FOOT giant's stores." :-)

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:46 PM

Good to see McDonalds got one of their employees to write this article lol

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 5:52 PM

LOL I noticed that too!!!

EDIT: Betanews fixed it. I'm sure your comment will receive a negative score shortly :)

Score: 0

By fibreiv

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:11 PM

Wow, wonder when I can start paying from my fries with paypal! :)

Score: 0

By Kramy

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:05 PM

I heard XP Embedded was actually quite stable, assuming you don't install tons of apps on it.

Score: 0

By ServerMechanic

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:57 PM

This will be funny when you go into a McDonalds and you cannot place an order due to a system crash :)

Score: 0

By gawd21

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:34 PM

Why would you be going to McDonalds in the first place?

Score: 0

By ServerMechanic

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 4:37 PM

Because I like their sundaes G-Money.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 7:43 PM

Steak n Shake

'nuff said :-P

Score: 0

By nightops

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 12:57 PM

For 90% of the food...I'm with ya'.. However, for great fries, I'm @ McD's or Wendy's.

Score: 0

By FlAshdobe

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:02 PM

LMAO :D

Score: 0

By xoineg

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:55 PM

I guess next time you order a big mac and the cashier crashes you'll know who to blame (or maybe get the wrong order):P

Score: 0

By No Beer For You

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:52 PM

Whoa! Just read it again and noticed: "gift cards"

Is that what some Americans buy each other for their birthdays?
"What a great gift - thanks!" Thats just wrong!!

Score: 0

By ServerMechanic

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:39 PM

It should be called FatDonalds.

Millions and Millions given heart attacks.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:47 PM

Hmm, does this mean that they are migrating off of Unix? They were a SCO or a Linux shop but I don't recall which.

Score: 0

By Big_Mac

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 9:15 AM

The ISP will still be unix based. That will not to change at all.

The ISP is SCO Unix. At the time, Linux did not even exist at all. SEI does the ISP software.

Par with McDonalds writes the POS software based upon DOS.

They originally were going to write the POS software on unix also. DOS was chosen 'cause more software was available for it and they would had to write the same programs for unix.

Score: 0

By No Beer For You

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:43 PM

Ha! The devil in bed with the devil! LOL

Score: 0

By LinuxWalker

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 5:19 PM

Actually Every McD's has a server that handles all the information that is running SCO6 the registers however are running DOS and they crash quite a bit and are a pain in the ass. Now this information is only awesome if they are going to change out both sides of the Server and the Registers. But the article says XP Embedded so I would say just the Registers are going to get an upgrade and from DOS about time!

Score: 0

By squirreludecker

edited Dec 8, 2005 - 9:52 AM

i used to work at mcdonalds about 4 years ago. back then, the registers were running off of a variant of PC-Dos, which made sense because they were made by IBM, the server running the whole thing? Windows 98. not some form of unix or even a business platform (such as Windows NT or 2000) but "good ol'" 98. not a unix box in the place.

personally i dont know why they would use a unix system but im sure some do for LinuxWalker to say they ALL do.

(and yes, i classify all the "rarely used" os's as unix systems, even if theyre not, such as SCO, Sun, Solaris, BSD, SGI)

Score: 0

By nightops

posted Dec 8, 2005 - 12:59 PM

There are at least 4 different flavors of the McDonald's POS system that can be used PC-Dos and SCO6 are the 2 main types. I've worked for 4 different stores and 2 different owner/operators. So far, SCO6 with Linux-based registers work the best...but it's rare you'll find a linux register.

Score: 0

By robertguero

posted Jun 6, 2008 - 5:17 AM

there are never been Linux based registers

Score: 0

By Gopherboy6956

edited Mar 10, 2006 - 10:03 AM

Well, i know there are a lot of people on this site that say they know what the MCD machine is and what it runs for software...but a LOT of that info is wrong!!! I work at the company that builds all Mcdonalds US ISP's and CCUs, including PAN and PAR. We are located in Fargo ND with SEI. I actually used to repair/recertify the machines that fail. Get your facts straight lol!

Score: 0

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