Josh's Windows Weblog - All Comments

re: No New Home Server SKU Please

Matt Freestone — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:57:33 GMT

I think it should be unlimited users and licensed per 5 computers as you said Josh. And, NO SECOND SKU. I mean holy crap, haven't they learned that lesson from Vista? Having tons of SKU's is stupid.

Sorry, it just is.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Barty — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:47:49 GMT

I think everyone has missed the point of this advert - its not supposed to be sensible or direct. It has succeeded in getting bloggers talking about Microsoft and its something different from Apples videos(once funny, now just boring).

There are a whole load of videos that could be produced that tie in with it.. its original and different.

re: How Microsoft can get sustained performance gains in Windows 7

Fowl — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:39:11 GMT

> "the Windows Logo program should also require the apps to run as non-admin"

They do. Shows how much power they have.

While it would be great if MSFT could convince 3rd party dev's to "do the right thing" as it were, they obviously can't - so they have to be defensive and provide tools to show users where problems lie -> get their customers to realise who the problem is.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Blake Niemyjski — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:29:41 GMT

I just wasted 1.5 minutes of my life... Where do i send the bill.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Alex Cohen — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:23:41 GMT

Listen guys, be a little creative about this - think about it, the ad is GREAT!!! I agree with all of you, it sucks. No I am not confused - here is my point. Its so lame, they set us all up so good...that we are all talking about it. But this setup is for the big punchline...later on. My hope and expectation is that theywill deliver. I hope.

From a marketing persepctive...they got you talking about it. You cant compete with someone who has done something so good as Apple has with their Ads. Admit it, they are funny.

So MS has to be humble and simply say, ok...we are going to respond. And that is all this Ad says.

Your thoughts?

-Alex

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

AnotherGuy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:43:55 GMT

It seems that some good can actually come from this, Josh. I thought this was a horrible ad at first, and one that we waited so long for. But if you think about it, the strategy may be to just get people talking about Microsoft at first... rather than trying to sell something. After all, the ad itself hardly mentioned anything about selling anything... except shoes. Talk about a change in the traditional ad standard.

So, imagine what would happen to the OS market share if in the next three months they came out with ads that were really good. Well, they've already got the ball rolling with bad talk... next they'll take advantage of the talk and bring in the big guns.

Hopefully. Otherwise, MSoft just sucks.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Matt Freestone — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:18:09 GMT

I live in SLC, UT, and there was an idiot named Dell Shanzee (or something stupid like that) who owned a company called 'Totally Awesome Computers'. His marketing campaign consisted of him and a couple of his lackeys acting like total and complete morons screaming in their high pitched girly voices. Basically after seeing one of his ads you wanted to go to his store just to break his nose.

But, apparently it worked for a while and another local company that sold laptops took the same concept and still do it today. Unfortunately for Dell, his company imploaded on him and he lost his mind. Litterally. Basically said everyone was devils and we were out to crucify him (insert lots of wacko inaccurate religious babble here.) So, going down the "let's do crappy marketing for the sake that it's crappy" isn't a good idea. Remember the rigimortis rats for Blimpie? yeah, that really made me want to eat there, but they got lots of PR for their crappy ads.

Problem is, these aren't crappy enough to get attention, they just suck.

re: How Microsoft can get sustained performance gains in Windows 7

Matt Freestone — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:13:41 GMT

Josh, excellent, excellent idea! Seriously, the Windows Logo program should also require the apps to run as non-admin, etc, to rectify all the issues in the post XP/2003 world. MS really should re-think their logo program and make it worth something. I truly hope someone at MS pays attention to your post.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Aubrey — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:10:43 GMT

Yep, that pretty much just plain sucks.

re: How Microsoft can get sustained performance gains in Windows 7

Bob — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:53:36 GMT

No, I don't think I would. There are too many applications that I want/need and MSFT no longer has the clout to get 3rd pty app developers to do their bidding en masse anyway. Plus, there are some who are committed to thwarting MS on principle (Apple, Adobe, etc.).

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Mark — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:46:32 GMT

It's so incredibly lame, and the track record of the agency so good, that one almost has assume it was done by design. Although that seems like an incredibly risky strategy, which has so far backfired.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Josh Phillips — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:46:31 GMT

It is now playing on ESPN...my wife's comment was I can't believe that Bill Gates would make something so lame.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Bob — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:50:38 GMT

Beyond lame.

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Matt Freestone — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:37:32 GMT

haha perhaps that's it Matt A. For us too logical to use Mac's, perhaps this ad was created for the wraped Apple fan boys mentality. :) I guess we'll have to wait and see.....

re: New Microsoft Ad Sucks

Brad — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:56:36 GMT

Matt A, I'm having a very similar reaction.