Fatal Error Darlink

Shanina Conway

Fatal Error Darlink

Computers are pretty much part of our lives now but I remember the horror of the first Win 95 window pop up and seeing FATAL ERROR.

...I totally freaked and was ready to take the computer back to the department store for a refund…before a friend gently and laughingly explained what was going on…....but I never got over that “in your face” feeling of Fatal Error and Fatal Exception.
..I mean why Fatal ….., that’s so fatal, why not some cute character like me popping up saying, “Don’t Stress Darlink, but we have to close for a bit”

And what about “Illegal Operation”...I swear the first time it happened I thought the stormtroopers were going to break down the front door!

I really think Bill and his team could have put a little more thought into the trauma windows 95 could cause before inflicting it on the public.


Available as a card, print and poster.
Image copyright © 2008 Shanina Conway.
Copying and displaying or redistribution of this image without permission from the artist is strictly prohibited

Fatal Error Darlink belongs to the following groups:

Parallel Dimensions and The Art of 3D Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Fatal Error Darlink by Shanina Conway
Fatal Error Darlink by Shanina Conway
  • David Meacham

    David Meacham

    Yes the three phrases could have been replaced by:-
    1 Have a drink while I shake myself for a bit
    2 Programming cock up – our fault
    3 You can’t do that because it didn’t occur to us during the planning stages

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Glad you feel the same way Meach..I like the have a drink..why couldn’t they have done that..maybe cause for a lawsuit for all the trauma we suffered lol!

  • coppertrees

    coppertrees

    You are such a kick. I laughted at this for some time and related to it all the way. This is wonderfully delightful. Love your humor.

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! I’m still laughing at her and glad you got a kick out of her;)
    , she was going to be a witch but the more I worked on the face the more she started taking on this character, especially after I added the glasses;)

  • David Roman

    David Roman

    Damn your sure your not from another planet Ms S!!
    You should be illegal !

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Hope she made you smile David;)

  • midzing

    midzing

    brilliant

  • Philosophy Lee

    Philosophy Lee

    My smile thanks you :)

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Thank you, that’s a lovely compliment;)

  • AARDVARK

    AARDVARK

    Throw out your Windoze box and get an Apple!

    Nice photo.

  • David Roman

    David Roman

    Oh nervously my friend with great wonder of what’s on the floor with her!LOL

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol!...;)

  • Tom Godfrey

    Tom Godfrey

    Clever gal -really cool

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    Great idea, perfectly done

  • claudiu

    claudiu

    Uaaau, this is scary! Great idea!

  • RhondaR

    RhondaR

    Made me laugh. You are so creative.

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Glad you like it darlink;)

  • Nala

    Nala

    Wow how good . . . i like it and how real it feels that someone is reaching out very very good

  • Helene Kippert

    Helene Kippert

    Thanks for the laugh shanina – she’s a real character :o)

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Hey Helene, thanks and I’ve fallen in love with her..hope I can replicate her;)

  • Karin  Taylor

    Karin Taylorcommunity helper

    that’s very true Shanina!! i know the feeling of dread when confronted with ‘illegal error… or fatal something or other’......terrifying ….. this is great, what a concept hey…to have someone friendly pop in to let us know that it’’s okay, and it’ll all be sorted…just need to shut down for a while :)
    coool image Shanina…great thoughts!

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! Glad I’m not the only one Karin to get parnoid with the illegal operation and fatals;)

  • Mel Brackstone

    Mel Brackstone

    Good grief, I’d almost totally forgotten about fatal errors! Thanks for the memories, Shanina, and to do it with such class!!!!!

  • Shanina Conway replied

    I was thinking it’s over 10 years since my first computer and how XP Pro is so stable compared with Win95…darlink is so classy, why didn’t Bill think of that;)

  • Dawnsky2

    Dawnsky2

    hehe,, cool image,,
    i am so glad my hubby knows what he is doing when it comes to computers!!
    I dont have a clue how they run…

  • Shanina Conway replied

    You are so lucky! I came home $6k lighter with a few boxes, spent hours trying to work out what went where lol!...how fast time flys, now for $6k I’d get a super computer;)

  • hfrymark

    hfrymark

    LOL that’s so true, now with Vista the program asks yes or no, which I now find myself questioning my motives, should I, shouldn’t I.

    Blah

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! gets a bit that way doesn’t it,I’ve heard scary things about Vista so I’m sticking with XP Pro;)

  • CanDuCreations

    CanDuCreations

    Unique and splendid work

  • reflector

    reflector

    I like your story about the evolution of PC’s – it’s scary to think you are losing access to information ! I really like the concept in this art and the ladies pose and expression.

  • Seth  Weaver

    Seth Weaver

    Ah! The nightmare of PCs with further enhancements and endless upgrades by MicroSoft. I’m a MAC person we have a few little problems but not as many as you guys do. What an interesting poster girl for “fatal errors” like a really bad blind date where you wish you were “blind.”

  • Shanina Conway replied

    She’s a darlink Seth;)

  • Racheli

    Racheli

    Fantastique imagery Shanina! very creative, let say that prominent figure” is much fatality then the “fatal error” itself…....lol

    Very creatively!

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Thanks Racheli…she is a little on the fatal side but I love her;)

  • Robin Pushe'e

    Robin Pushe'e

    wow Shanina, I think I’d rather see “fatal Error” than this lady popping out at me LOL.. Very scary. Well done as usaul

  • cynthiab

    cynthiab

    awesome creative work

  • clarkey

    clarkey

    Wow, awesome work. I know how you felt, but, at least I had my computer whiz son still living at home at the time – inconsiderate child left home and got married! Love your tale, too!

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Hey thanks clarkey….what an inconsiderate child leaving you like that lol!

  • redsirens

    redsirens

    Talk about hands on! ;-)
    very cool idea!

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Thanks Siren, it would have been so much nicer, well better than Fatal Error popping up lol!

  • Von McKnelly

    Von McKnelly

    This flights FINAL DESTINATION will be at TERMINAL B gate 13. It’s all in the wording….

    Now to your very creative working overtime mind…...outstanding in your own field.
    Go stand in a field I’ll get a shot for proof.

  • Shanina Conway replied

    FINAL DESTINATION will be at TERMINAL B gate 13
    .lol!..she’s a bit that way, might send Darlink to work as an air hostess since she’s lost her job as the Fatal Error girl ;)

  • Antoine Dagobert

    Antoine Dagobert

    another awesome image my friend!

  • Mark Peterson

    Mark Peterson

    Outstanding!

  • Leana

    Leana

    lol
    Excellent !

  • cdwork

    cdwork

    This is superb must have a poster for my office wall- Superb work again

  • clickychick

    clickychick

    LOL this is brilliant!!!

  • douglasandrews

    douglasandrews

    Fantastic!!!

  • SirenSong

    SirenSong

    Very cool Shanina…Very cool…And I know what you mean…Freaks me out as well

  • Midori Furze

    Midori Furze

    Coooooool, Shanina!!
    Love the eyebrows!!
    : )))

  • Karen Cougan

    Karen Cougan

    what a classic,
    you are so clever
    xkc

  • flower68

    flower68

    haha.Yes I much prefer the “don’t stress darlink” option.Fantastic work.She’s great :-D

  • justimagine

    justimagine

    Brilliant

  • Van Cordle

    Van Cordle

    Shanina This is sooo awesome and excellent!! Perfect title and great description!! You are soo talented and creative!!!

  • Peter Zentjens

    Peter Zentjens

    Excellent illustration, and great story to go with it. You truly made me smile. :^)

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Thank you Peter, that’s the best compliment;)

  • eon  .

    eon .

    I do so enjoy the way you think and create ( ’ – ))

  • Noel Elliot

    Noel Elliot

    Love it

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Thanks Noel, she’s quite an character;)

  • Tollwut

    Tollwut

    Hehe, GREAT!

  • Gregoryno6

    Gregoryno6

    If Win 95 conjures up extras from Rocky Horror like this it’s no wonder that Linux has been so popular.

  • Shanina Conway replied

    The good old days …rather bad old days of win95, I almost went to Linux ;)

  • billyboy

    billyboy

    Shanina, how on EARTH did I not see this? Why didn’t you tell me?? I actually had this experience the other night, but her nails weren’t as sharp as these… thank God!
    Great work, you’ve SO nailed this!!

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! her nails weren’t as sharp…what have you been up to BB…no don’t tell me;)

  • Lois  Bryan

    Lois Bryan

    Hilarious image and I oh-sooo-loved your commentary!!! Well done!!! This is art and fun!!!!! Fabulous!!!! A Favorite for sure … ps .. get a Mac!!! LOL … I “went over” in June of last year … and have never looked back!!!!!

  • shawhouse

    shawhouse

    great stuff. very impressed with your work.

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Thank you Phil, I really appreciate it;)

  • Danilo Lejardi

    Danilo Lejardi

    OMG. I almost miss this. This is brilliant. Would like to see more of this same style.

  • Shanina Conway replied

    Hi Danilo, thank you and I love this wonderful character too and will be using her in more works;)

  • MaiaRamish

    MaiaRamish

    so so brilliant

  • Per E. Gunnarsen

    Per E. Gunnarsen

    Brilliant idea and excellent work Shanina. Remember the error era….brrrrrr ;)

  • Devalyn Marshall

    Devalyn Marshall

    This is a gorgeous creation! FAV

  • Carole Boudreau

    Carole Boudreau

    So intelligent and clever! Bravo!
    Lol how can I not forget those horrific times of “fatal error” it almost made me have a hart attack every time it happened …

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! Me too…and illegal operation… used to have me saying to myslef…but I didn’t touch anything!
    Glad you liked this one Carole;)

  • navybrat

    navybrat

    BRILLIANT!

  • jacqi

    jacqi

    This is wonderful and brings back memories of being new to computers. Now I just swear back at them. Thanks Darlink!

  • DarwinsMishap

    DarwinsMishap

    Holy Hell-I just snorted my coffee…again!

    Brilliant work, and I adore this-My new fav, I bah-lieve. XD Great concept and execution on this!

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! that’s funny…hope you didn’t burn yourself….. Thanks DM;)

  • linaji

    linaji

    She is so very very funny and you have created a character that I think is very very sell able!!

  • Zuzana

    Zuzana

    What a brilliant idea and this is so well executed. I love this Shanina! Your talent shocks me.

  • Danielle Knight

    Danielle Knight

    Oh this is fantastic… love the title and your story. lol big time. Well done

  • Phineous   Cassidy

    Phineous Cas...

    hear hear for the words dam i thought i was the only one that tripped on that shit lol
    or and amazinc image

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the only one too;)

  • BLYTHART

    BLYTHART

    “Fatal” and “Illegal” are rather emotive aren’t they. It’s like saying, “Now then, relax and don’t panic, but you have three seconds to live!”

  • Euan  Thorburn

    Euan Thorburn

    you SO clever!!!!!!!
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  • redqueenself

    redqueenself

    I thought Fatal Error and I were best friends I saw it so often.

  • Shanina Conway replied

    lol! glad I wasn’t the only one;)

  • hugo

    hugo

    I don’t know how I missed this one, saw it in the calender, it’s fantastic!!

  • linskudd

    linskudd

    Excellent work and I had to smile – Fatal error indeed!!! ;o)

  • sweetscent62

    sweetscent62

    LOL I love it Darlink!! : ) Well done!!! Wen xoxoxox

  • mistertrooth

    mistertrooth

    AWESOME … very funny and thought provoking Shanina – wunna your best x

  • mistertrooth

    mistertrooth

    Like your new profile foto too…..

  • Cheryl Dunning

    Cheryl Dunning

    wow..brilliant!!!

  • intensual

    intensual

    OMG this is excellent.. I used to hate the dreaded blue screen.. Bet you could conjure up brilliance with that also very cool ..

  • María González

    María González

    so witty!!! love this.

  • shanghaiwu

    shanghaiwu

    I saw this image seems so long ago and surprised that I did not comment then…....it is BRILLIANT

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