Why I hate Windows: Reason #42

The other day, as I prepared to upload a file to a Web site, the target file - and every other file immediately surrounding it - suddenly disappeared.

I had selected the upload dialog, an Explorer Window opened, and I used my laptop touch pad to navigate through the folder hierarchy. But as I crossed the folder tree to select the file my cursor apparently stuck to one folder, hoisted it aloft and dropped it surrepticiously into another. For a moment I looked in bewilderment as an entire directory tree disappeared before my eyes. The only clue to what went wrong was Windows' graphical graphical representation of files being transported to who knows where.

I cancelled, but it was too late: I was left with a partial folder with only some of the files I needed. At first I thought I might have moved the missing data to the trash, but the recycle bin was empty.

After some more searching, I discovered the missing files and a series series of subfolders tucked away in another part of the directory hierarchy. Since I had interrupted the transfer before it completed I needed to put Humpty Dumpty back together again by carefully moving everything back to where (I think) it belonged.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me. I'm no GUI expert, but you would think that the Windows application environment would be smart enough to know that you probably don't want to drag and drop files from within the context of a File Open or File Upload operation.

Do Mac and Linux users have this much fun with files? Certainly the idea of dragging media to the trash can to eject it on a Mac is enough to make a Windows user squirm.