Microsoft enlists Seinfeld, Gates to battle "Get a Mac" ads
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Aug 21st 2008 1:50AM
posted Aug 21st 2008 1:50AM
Microsoft's new $300 million campaign (one of Redmond's largest ever) is set to launch with a $10 million assist from "key celebrity pitchman" Jerry Seinfeld. Yes, Bill Gates will appear as well -- the once maligned, rich corporate nerd turned adorable, rich humanitarian nerd. The campaign is said to be based on the idea of "Windows, Not Walls," stressing the need to "break down barriers that prevent people and ideas from connecting." Something we think open-sourcers might have a laugh at. Anywho, the immediate goal of the campaign is to reverse the negative public perception of Vista and thus incorporates elements of the Mojave Experiment. While we have doubts about the latter, the combination of Seinfeld's pithy observations with a bit of that Bill Gates, self deprecating humor seen in "Bill's Last Day" could be a winning combination. Whether that turns the slow moving boat of public opinion remains to be seen.
P.S. The campaign is said to debut on September 4th. Mulva.
"reverse the negative public perception of Vista"
So they're going to lie about it?
Pretty much, just look up the 'Mojave experiment' and see Microsoft's low ethical standards and opinion of its customers.
Microsoft: Lie, cheat, and steal (ideas), then sell it for cheap while it's hot.
Apple: Give a shit about customers and the environment, develop new and original products, and (because they went about things the right way and pay their employees fair wages) charge more than other companies.
You decide.
I like vista.
@patriot
i'm not dissing vista, but you are seriously the first person i've ever seen say/type that.
___
idk, i just think microsoft made a mistake making radical changes to menus and locations of stuff that people were used to in XP
A key to a successful software build is slower and gradual changes, rather than rushed and radical changes.
Who? - you're WAY off... There's a website out there (the site slips my mind but, I'm sure someone here knows what it is) that compares wages and Apple employees make WAY less than their industry counterparts. The premise behind this was that Apple was going through rough times (pre-iPod) but, when times got good Apple never raised wages.
By the way, Apple didn't invent the MP3 player... they just stole the idea like everyone else. They didn't invest the OS or the laptop either. So, where's their innovation? They do exactly what everyone else does: take idea, put own spin and market...rinse, wash repeat. ...and if Apple truly cared about their customers, they wouldn't charge for things like iPod Touch updates and they wouldn't lock thread on their forums that address real problems.
Are you sure that you don't work for their marketing team?
I like Vista too...I got three licenses.
GF had one on her laptop, worked fine. I installed it on my 3 year old Tablet PC, worked fine. Now, I got on my 3D PC at home and it also worked fine.
I like Vista also and it's not as hard or bad as some would like people to believe shyt my dipshyt Gf likes and have had no problems so far
LOL @ the Mojave dig.
That experiment showed that:
1) the APPLE marketing works wonders
2) Users just repeat what apple says, and never actually having USED Vista or SEEN it have bogus opinions about it.
3) MSFT marketing sucks and has been AWOL.
How does that "disrepect" users? It's the Pepsi challenge, that's all. Oh, but since it's from MSFT it MUST be a big lie and some Byzantine plot of evil. Pathetic. Seriously, people need to get a grip.
I run Vista on four machines at home and all my rigs in the office. It is great and I'll never go back to XP. Ever.
Ian,
So you're one of those clowns who thinks the entire world has been brainwashed by Apple? Who thinks that Microsoft hasn't gotten a fair shake in the marketplace, because of Apple's marketing machine?
Sorry dude. Virtually every computer user on the planet has used Windows. Maybe 10% of the computer users on the planet have ever used OS X. You simply cannot claim brainwashing. Everyone out there who has chosen OS X has chosen it not due to ignorance or marketing, but because they have used both and prefer the Mac.
What percentage of the Windows-using population has spent significant time with both and made a fair evaluation? Is that number smaller than the percentage of Mac users who have used Windows frequently and rejected it? No? That's what I thought. Most of you MS fanboys used some ancient Mac in elementary school, thought it sucked, and haven't touched it since. I understand, I used the Mac back in the day and hated it too, but times have changed.
I simply don't understand those who whine that MS hasn't gotten a fair shake. Only in some bizarro world can you claim that Apple users are brainwashed to think Windows is bad. We've all used it. We've all decided against it.
Would this "Apple that cares about the environment" be the same Apple that is currently violating a California law requiring that any products that can expose consumers to phthalates or other chemicals that are reproductive toxins or carcinogens should carry a warning label?
And the same Apple whose environmental track records was singled out for criticism by environmental group Greenpeace in a report on toxic chemicals used by the technology industry?
Yep. 'Fraid so.
The Mohave Experiment? Ummmm... maybe M'm mistaken, but isn't that the definition of a double blind study?
The test subjects don't know which product is better, they try all products, they decide which is better.
Pepsi challenge, Pizza Hut pasta commercial, most drug trials, product research, they all use the same method. Why? Because it makes sense! The mac ads fill people who never have seen Vista with an innate dislike of it.
Are you angry that Microsoft claimed that it was a future OS? What on earth were they supposed to tell them? This is the OS that says in the top left corner "Apple" and this one is a secret mystery OS from a 3rd party?
Please think before you speak.
PinkFloydd: Alright, you hate Apple, we get it. Thing is, Apple do actually innovate. And they do it with more success than anybody else in the technology industry.
MP3 player: No, they didn't invent it, but they did make the best (functionally) and best selling MP3 player in the world. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you were the first to come up with something, if you make it different in a way that's better and wildly successful. In Apple's case, the design (both aesthetically and functionally) was lightyears ahead of their competitors. The interface (hardware and software) was lightyears ahead of their competitors, and in turn, their profits were lightyears ahead of their competitors. They popularised portable music and legal digital downloads (despite not inventing either) in a way that didn't just change the music industry, but changed the way we listen to music.
OS, Computer: No, they didn't invent the computer either. What they did do is invest in the idea of a 'personal computer'. It was an outlandish dream before Apple came along and showed that it was possible. They have been immense in the development of computers. They gambled on the idea, took it to market, and saw that it was popular. IBM didn't think it would be, and had to muscle that market back. It took Apple to show them what a market it could be.
That whole 'take an idea and put your own spin on it' isn't as easy as you make it seem. First you need to recognise great ideas, which is especially difficult in the technology industry, then you have to put a lot of money in to it, make it an exciting product, focus on key areas of functionality and build on them, and time your entry in to the market just right. It takes a whole lot of skill, and a bit of luck, to do that. Look at the iTunes Music Store - before it came along, there were subscription based services, which were riddled with extra fees (do a quick google and see just how bad these extra fees were). People accepted it as how things have to be. Apple managed to get breakthrough deals that removed these fees, removed the need for a subscription, put lots of money in to infrastructure, and bet their already popular iPod on the success of legal digital downloads. And you know what? It worked. Now we have loads of digital download services, many DRM-free (including iTunes, partially), and it's completely changed the way we buy music. If Apple hadn't made those bets or seen that potential, we may still need a subscription to buy music and extra fees per track for CD burning.
I knew this post was flame bait from the title.
I use Vista 64-bit and Office 2007 on several computers. I own a 32Gb iPod Touch, and have also used Mac OS X on a MacBook. All are awesome.
Seriously children, it's time this nonsense stopped. Quit banging on about which platform is better, and get outside - you might be amazed to find other people don't care.
God. Can't you people come up with anything new to bitch about?
Apple steals ideas, lies about its products, and has dodgy corporate ethics.
Microsoft steals ideas, lies about its products, and has dodgy corporate ethics.
OR
Maybe all companies are keen to the latest trends in order to stay ahead of (or at least keep up with) the game. Maybe all companies try to make their product sound superior through advertising (does Tide really do a better job at getting shit out of your clothing than Woolite?). Maybe all companies these days have issues with transparency and ethics, due to the fact that you can barely cough anymore without 1) being required by law to document it properly and 2) getting a lawsuit placed firmly up your ass.
Shit, get a Mac AND a PC! Sure, Macs are expensive, but Mac minis go for $500 (pick up a spare keyboard, monitor, and mouse from your IT department; they're always giving stuff away), and even Windows laptops today are going for around the same price. Use both and see which you like better. Vista has a lot to offer, and so does Leopard. They're both flawed in ways, too, but you have to decide for yourself which is more suited for your needs. I personally like to use Macs for typing papers and Windows for gaming. Both do the Internet thing pretty well.
Make your own choices and respect the choices of others.
I like Vista too. I wasn't a big fan of Vista when it came out, but since SP1, I gotta say, it runs quite nicely. I'm not gonna bash apple, I just prefer Vista.
I like Windows Vista. I built my own machine and have never had a problem with Windows x64 Ultimate. And to the people that think Apple "gives a shit" about their customers and the environment, you have fallen prey to that what is advertising: a fabricated image.
Just how in the hell did Adrian Williams' comment get 'Highly Ranked'!
Dude, I don't like Vista and I still say they never lied about it. Granted they pushed it to market a bit faster then they should have but I feel they will make up for it late next year/early 2010 with Windows 7.
@ Who? - Okay if I remember correctly Apple "stole" their ideas from; was it Xerox...yeah I think that’s right. Microsoft on the other hand well okay maybe they did "barrow" some ideas from Jobs but see he let Gates take them, gave him an open door and let the stuff walk right out. Also if memory serves me correctly wouldn't Apple just be some worm infested company if it wasn't for Microsoft bailing them out in the 90's?
Now I am all for helping the environment and keeping it here for our future generations but you truly sound like a greeny weenie. I bet you believe in global warming and all that garbage that they have been feeding you (that is all a load of @hit).
As for Apple charging more for their proprietary plastic and silicon that in it self contradicts you saying they care about the consumer. They are too busy sitting on their high horse that they could care less about those "below" them.
@ the person who said Microsoft was pushing this down peoples throats....Excuse me but doesn't Apple do that everyday with their commercials?
@Joseph and anyone else who claims that Apple doesn't care about customers and the environment:
Apple is now packaging their products in a more environmentally friendly manner; http://www.apple.com/environment/ ; http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/program/ ; http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/nationalservices/europe.html
I found and added all of those links in less than a minute, so how you can remain so misinformed is beyond me!
The Mojave experiment is not a true scientific means of getting a public opinion on Vista. Most of those people seemed not to know much about computers at all! Taking advantage of people who aren't hard-core computer users proves nothing, except that Microsoft obviously cares very little about telling its users the truth.
If I was able to hand pick a bunch of people and get them to switch to Tiger for a month, telling them it was the new Microsoft 'Mojave', I would likely receive similar results, even with an outdated operating system like that! The fact of the matter is that people who use computers at work for more than word possessing and web surfing don't use Vista for a reason, and that reason is NOT because they haven't tried it.
@KarlW:
I don't hate Apple, I just hate how they brainwash people. I think that they're a great company and definitely necessary in today's marketplace. My big problem is that their advertising borders on lies. As for innovation, both Microsoft and Apple are working towards a similar goal. People make it out to seem that Apple is so much better or Microsoft is so much better. The truth is that we'll see similar features (eventually) because it's basically the same product with the same purpose. Microsoft tends to cater to a business crowd and Apple tends to cater to the average user who wants a straight-forward experience. Microsoft is kinda like buying a car with a stick-shift and Apple is like having an automatic; different people have different needs. Autostick and F1 paddle shifters were included as a way to try and please everyone. We'll see the same in Microsoft v. Apple, they'll take on similar features to cater to everyone. Neither is better than the other, just different.
@who?: Here's the site, www.glassdoor.com and here's a quick article.
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/26679/Apple-Engineers-Earn-Less----and-Other
Apple doesn't care about their employees after all, eh?
Recycling programs have been around for over 10 years. Apple just recently jumped on board because of pressure from Greenpeace. Their Macbook only meets the minimum required EPEAT rating. Meanwhile, competition like Lenovo meets the Gold EPEAT rating. Other companies have used environmentally friendly packaging for years also... Apple is WAY behind on this.
By the way, I use Vista (Ultimate x64) for all of my business, gaming and personal needs. I use it for MUCH more than just surfing the web and word processing. I've tried Ubuntu and OSX and nothing compared to the versatility of Vista (XP is the only thing close).
"The Mohave Experiment? Ummmm... maybe M'm mistaken, but isn't that the definition of a double blind study?"
"It's the Pepsi challenge, that's all."
Actually, no Ian and Mike - 000001, a double-blind study would have been if Mojave also included another OS and they were tested side by side on the same hardware. But who were they going to compare themselves to, really?
I dare ya to do Mojave that shit!
Why should Microsoft even need to put out ads? People will use Windows in some form or another if it sucks or not, you don't have to shove it down peoples' throats.
No Mac for you!!!
True. Sad, but true.
(Low rank me if you want, but I'm with this guy all the way)
Seinfeld was never funny.
Seinfeld was one of the crappiest "comedy" shows I've ever seen. PURE GARBAGE. I don't care about low ranks. I'll say it out loud. If this show didn't have a certain type of watcher....it wouldn't have lasted as long as it did.
Or perhaps, Flashpoint, you're simply in a small minority with your opinion. Shocking, I know.
Flashpoint, maybe you should get a soul and a sense of humor before you ever try to comment again.
Seinfeld is one of the best shows on TV and is far more witty intelligent than many of today's terrible sitcoms. What do you like, Two and a Half Men?
Seinfeld was effing awesome, a cultural institution that lives on to this day. I suspect if you didn't like it you were just too young to 'get' it. Of course, most comedy seems dated eventually if you didn't experience it in its proper time period. However, even my parents loved Seinfeld, despite having only seen it in reruns and at the age of 60+.
I actually thing the ad direction sounds pretty good. I have very little good to say about Microsoft or its products, but I think the "Windows, not walls" tagline is very clever and hits on something that I think many would consider 'too technical' for the mainstream.
Seinfeld was garbage.
His standups were crap. Recycled jokes.
How does Seinfeld stand up to George Carlin, Sam Kinison, Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, roger Dangerfield or Paul Mooney?
The answer is...HE DOESN'T
Listen...you can say whatever you want or cast your BS low ranks, whatever...but the truth is, Seinfeld is proof that even not-funny shows can be FORCED to succeed due to special interest preference. Seinfeld's people were behind him and apparently that was enough to keep him in good timeslots.
Everytime that GARBAGE came on, I got up to turn it off as quickly as possible.
If this is what Microsoft has hired to beat Mac's commercials...THEN THEY HAVE FAILED.
I don't have any problem with Seinfeld: I've never personally found his show interesting but what I have watched of it (and himself) seemed funny enough - funnier than many of the "comedians" out there.
My point is... even if Windows Vista is unpopular, the Windows product will still sell, through Vista, XP, Mobile, or whatever.
Do you see Apple putting its name (yet) on Netbooks? Do all the masses drool at the netbooks with a distribution of Linux pre-installed? Apple is dominating the mobile phone market, but one of its main competitors (at least on this hemisphere) is Windows Mobile. People go through college for some Microsoft certification or something (at least, I know of this in Canada), and yes, some do for UNIX/Linux, I suppose, too. Nevertheless.
It may be true that among some Windows may not be LOVED, but among many Windows seems to be the only option. This is a trend, however, that is continuously changing.
I guess the only benefit out of this is to make Windows more likable by placing it side-by-side with Seinfeld, but it's still the equivalent of a government making its draconian policy easier to swallow: the duped masses will fall for it, but those who know better will see through this as the terrible juxtaposition that it is.
I guess this means a couple more years of Microsoft's macro shit... oh well.
@flashpoint Comedy Nazi .. is that you? well then .. No Seinfeld for you !!!!!
Seinfeldis considered one of the most intelligent comedies of the 80/90's. He didn't milk low humor like bodily functions. Instead, he used situational humor (not slapstick), and made you laugh when he was trying to work himself out of a situation. Situational humor doesn't appeal to everyone, but than again, neither do the Three Stooges. That doesn't mean that they were pioneers in the art of slapstick, but it didn't appeal to all people.
Personally, I liked Seinfeld.
You know, Flashpoint, you might help your argument a bit if you knew who RODNEY Dangerfield was.
@SoulinEther
"Apple is dominating the mobile phone market, but one of its main competitors (at least on this hemisphere) is Windows Mobile."
Now YOU are the comedian, sir.
@Flashpoint and the others: What is this? A discussion about personal taste? On the internetz? Noooo, that's impossible.
I hated Seinfeld too. His Stand-Up Comedy act is somewhat smirk-worthy but the why the show appealed to so many is a mystery to me. Then again I hated Something about Mary and lately Hellboy 2. If I started a fight with anyone that liked those two ... I'd be arguing all god damn day.
Just accept it, he doesn't like Seinfeld, many people don't. Get used to it. You are all making fun of the Soup Nazi while being opinion Nazis yourself.
No win for yoouuu. (God I hate that show).
They should have just hired that guy who did the anti-mac video on the net all those years ago. "Want to shut down a program, poof it just shuts itself down," lol.
Hey everyone, time to upgrade my Mac, I'll just toss it in the garbage and spent another $2,000! lol.
@Flashpoint: Who is "Roger Dangerfield?"
For a comedy nazi like yourself, I would've expected you to at least get a name right...
"If this show didn't have a certain type of watcher....it wouldn't have lasted as long as it did."
Flashpoint... that makes so little sense... you're just so stupid. All attempts to understand you are completely futile.
"Everytime that GARBAGE came on, I got up to turn it off as quickly as possible."
-"I got up to turn it off"-
That line right there, that line totally ruined you. ?That shows one or more of at least three things.
1.You're way too old to understand the humor of Seinfeld
2.You're too poor to pay $25 dollars for a TV with a remote, just a universal remote, therefore showing that you probably have a lack of humor
3.You're too young to buy your own TV and are using an old hand-me-down from one of your parents and therefore, showing you're too young to understand the humor of Seinfeld.
Don't ridicule that which you don't have the capacity to understand.
OHHHhhh....!!!! DELORIS!!!!
meist3r,
There's nothing wrong with not liking something or having your own opinions based on your own taste. I'm no great Seinfeld fan either. But when someone makes such strong, absolute statements such as "crap" and "garbage" about such a pop culture icon as Seinfeld, he opens himself to a lot of scrutiny. It may not be right or fair, but that's the way it is.
If you don't want to deal with the wrath of the fans don't make such strong, absolute statements about matters of taste while representing those statements as fact.
I'm a hand model so I have to write this message with over mits on.
haha sure Flashpoint. up to your usual hysterics about something trivial.
man...nothing more dangerous than a really committed and passionate dimwit.
I can't believe there are people who don't like Seinfeld. I also can't believe people don't like chocolate.
"If this show didn't have a certain type of watcher....it wouldn't have lasted as long as it did."
Yes, flashpants, I think you're right. The most popular show ever in the history of television was really probably just a niche product.
"Hi, I'm a former CEO."
"And I'm a rich, out-of-work comic who lives off of syndication."
Ha! you've got my vote.
No, it's:
"I'm a rich, out-of-work comic who lives off of syndication."
"And I'm a (very)rich, out-of-work CEO who lives off of stock options."
> "And I'm a rich, out-of-work comic who lives off of syndication."
Seinfeld cashed out his syndication rights for a one-time lump sum of $225,000,000 after the show. Not to mention his salary during 8 the years of the show.
Out-of-work? How about never-has-to-work. He created a show about nothing... and made a quarter billion dollars doing it. Makes your day-to-day life seem less interesting.
bah, i've seen the seinfeld episodes with those classic macs in the background in his apartment.
What most of the people commenting here don't know (or are forgetting) is that there's a product placement law. There's no such thing as an accidental product placement. The opinion of the people involved in the show doesn't matter! Apple PAID to have their product displayed in the show (just like every other show), that's part of their marketing strategy.
...that's why you'll see some shows cover up brand names on people's t-shirts or hats. It'd be illegal for them to showcase a product without a transaction.
@ Pynk Floydd
I'm not sure that there are laws requiring product placement to paid. Every show I've ever worked on blurred logos to prevent free marketing, that is nobody ever told me about laws in place (I'm a video editor)... Now I could be wrong but all i could find in a quick google was European laws banning product placement. Do you have some source for that?
@Justin -
I believe it's something that's tied into union negotiations between SAG, everyone else and accounting practices. Since the transaction is either monetary or if the product is "donated" then it's still technically revenue (and a write-off for the company initiating the "donation"). If they don't include that in the bottom line they're screwing everyone over.
I'm no lawyer or accountant so that's my limited understanding of it...
No, he has no source because his information is incorrect. There is no provision in the First Amendment that prohibits product placement from freedom of speech. And there is no FCC guideline for that, either. But you are correct that broadcast companies don't want to pimp a product it's not paid to pimp... because it's unfair to advertisers who pay for product placement.
@Justin
Another thing that I forgot...
Some major actors have specific product endorsements. Contracts prohibit them from representing competing companies. So, let's say that you have Jared from Subway on a TV show ordering from a Quizno's...that'd cause him to violate his contract. Even something as small as Simon Cowell doing a guest appearance on a show and holding a can of Pepsi would violate the agreements with Coke that they have.
Here's the formal statement that the Writer's Guild released about the rules, regulations and issues of product integration...
(warning PDF) http://www.learcenter.org/pdf/ProductIntegrationWhitePaper.pdf
I was under the impression that this is covered by the Payola Law. (being paid to include certain material must be disclosed to everyone) ...and that's why on shows (like House), you saw a list of "sponsors" (like Sota turntables, Apple, etc.).
Again, I'm not a lawyer and this is just what I've been told...
Don't forget that brand names and such are trademarks... I'm sure that the PDF above is a much better explanation, but if you think about it, most trademark owners ask that you do not use a trademark without express permission, to preserve the integrity of the trademark. Might be a law or something, or people playing it safe.
@ SoulinEther
It's definitely not a law, but it is probably what's known as a tort - meaning a company could sue another company for defamation if they feel their brand has somehow been intentionally damaged by someone using their trademark. This would be a matter handled in civil court, not criminal court.
That's the first thing I said too! He had a mac for all 9 seasons of his TV show on his desk. This is going to be turned around very quickly to bite M$... fools.. they should have gotten Neuman to do it, since they hated eachother.
About time someone pointed that out. He also had that wierd limited edition mac that had the bose speakers...
If I'm not mistaken I seem to remember early episodes of Seinfeld where Jerry has a mac on his desk
Yup. I'm not convinced this was a paid placement since it was never used, it just sat there. Most people wouldn't have noticed. The Klein bike hanging on the wall might have been paid because it was more obvious to the viewer, but again, never used or discussed. How about the Porsche poster on his wall? Seems like decoration to me. But he drove a Saab and a BMW at various points in time, those were likely paid.
How about Snapple? Probably one of the most discussed products in the show. That's gotta be a paid placement.
@UnixSystemsEngineer:
I know that Seinfeld got a few free Porsches here and there. I'm not sure if that was because he was such a great customer or because of a product placement agreement.
He also had the logo for the Skip Barber Racing School and the airport code for Newark clearly visible on his fridge. I doubt anyone paid for those. It was always my understanding that the Macs and things like that were in his apartment because they were things important to him.
I thought Seinfeld was a Mac fan since he had one prominently displayed on the set of his TV show for, oh, 9 freakin' seasons. Maybe he's just a money fan.
He's already been in Vista/HP commercials in the past (promoting "Bee Movie" within the ads.) His "conversion" is not really news.
I know, right? He even had a 20th Anniversary Mac.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was product placement. I mean, I can't count the bazillions of times I've seen a Mac of some sorts embedded into a movie, TV show, and even other ads. I mean there has to be some sort of deal going on. I think I even read an article once about Apple's cunning marketing moves. Product placement really is where it's all at these days.
Did you ever see him use it though?
I sure hope the ads aren't too much like Apple's. They piss me off.
am I the only one who thinks that macs are arrogant and repulsive? Apple shows a great product but I can't stand how they do business. Frankly its ironic since apple commercials make me less likely to buy an apple product.
I'm right there with you guys. I have to mute the sound or change the channel when the Mac v. PC commercials come on. It's not worth punching my LCD.
Remember though... Apple commercials are targeting an audience that believes a ubiquitous product defines being different.
Since Microsoft products are looking for the "everyman" then I think that the commercial will be pretty sensible. I haven't really seen any bad vids with Bill Gates in them. The recent ones (Napoleon Dynamite spoof, final farewell) are actually pretty entertaining even.
I've gotta agree too. The first few I'm A Mac commercials were kinda funny, and I like Justin Long and John Hodgman, but now they just come off as condescending. Vista really isn't hard to use, and saying that the average person is going to have trouble with it is basically saying the average person is a moron, which isn't a good way to win over customers.
@Zorque, you've put your finger on it. The Apple (Jobs) ethos is that 'consumers' are morons. It's totally what drives the company's designs. That has lead to intuitive, simple interfaces that have proven very popular - as examples of good industrial design and also appealing to novice users. However it has also been the basis of its arrogance and opaque customer service.
But $300m flogging a lame horse? Surely MS should invest the funds in R&D and get the Vista replacement out sooner.
Whenever you feel angry at a Mac ad, think of this little counter-mac add.
Mac: Hey I'm a Mac.
PC: And I'm a PC.
Mac: Hey PC, what are you doing over there?
PC: Oh, just playing some Halo 2.
Mac: Neat! What other games do you like to play?
PC: All of them.
End
Agreed. One of the #1 reasons I hate Macs is because of those ads.
"Okay. We aren't selling enough. How can we sell more?" 'Um... Let's tell people how much the other product sucks and hope that they buy ours because we don't ever talk about our product." "Brilliant!" "Brilliant!"
And then they both drink Guinness...
Point is that you shouldn't have to harass the other company to get others to buy your product... Ads should tell me why I want your product. Not why I don't want the competing product.
AD:
Jerry: What is with these Windows?
That will be $10 million dollars Mr. Gates, Thank You.
Worth every penny.
"Something we think open-sourcers might have a laugh at."
"OPEN-SOURCERS." There's a gang. They'd also have a laugh at the idea of a universally easy to use OS. As well as the idea of sexual intercourse with attractive women.
I dunno, I'm sure the Firefox people get laid pretty often.
Like any self-respecting open source software user, I have written a GPL'd program to get me laid for me.
But like many up and coming open source projects, it's got a lot of bugs, and it keeps crashing before orgasm :(
(wow that is disturbing on so many levels... lol)
@SoulinEther - that might have been funny but you fucked it up with the (blablabla... lol)
It's an open source comment, did you really expect it to be perfect?
Umm, my 67 yr old mother uses PCLinuxOS, and ever since I got her off of Windows, I haven't had a single computer support call from her. I'd say that's pretty universally easy to use.
Dude, it's not 2001 anymore, Linux is fuckin' easy now!!
"Dude, it's not 2001 anymore, Linux is fuckin' easy now!!"
Just because your mother who probably goes on AOL.com and Weather.com then shuts off her machine can use Linux, doesn't mean it's easy.
Yeah, except for the AOL part, and the photo editing, and videos of grandkids and she's pretty stoked about having a free media server, too. (Seriously, not even people's moms use AOL, man.)
But yeah, she does all the stuff that most anybody else does. Hey, why not just find out instead of plugging your ears and screaming, "NUH, UNH, NO IT'S NOT, NO IT'S NOT....." and then positing the predictably obvious, "Well, she must not do anything good or nothin'."
I mean, really you come off like Steve Jobs or something. I'm not saying you should like it if you don't. Hell, be a fanboy. I know I can be one. Most everybody else here is. Just don't be an ignorant jackass about it.
The only "ignorant jackass" here would be you for truly believing Linux is an easy to use OS. Has your mom ever installed ANYTHING on it? I doubt it. Could she ever in a million years figure out how to share her files with another PC? I doubt it. Could she even download a screensaver she likes and use it? No.
If Linux was as easy to use, or even CLOSE TO as easy to use as Windows, Walmart wouldn't have pulled the gPC in about thirty seconds and Microsoft would actually have something to worry about.
But I don't think Linux with their sub 1% market share is really doing any damage right now.
Linux is a pain in the ass, and lying about your mom isn't going to change that.
This should be interesting...
...The Plot Thickens...
someone needs to compile all the scenes within all seasons of Seinfeld where Jerry is next to his different Macs. This will look great alongside Microsoft's latest failed attempt at trying to be relevant.
You can call Microsoft a lot of things, but irrelevant certainly isn't one of them.
yeah... having over 90% of the world's market share doesn't equate to relevance at all... douche.
whatever bring it... I'm curious to see what they'll do.
Microsoft's biggest hurdle is that the avg. consumer is getting smarter by the day & they know when they're being conned. Until M$ does more work on all of their products that have "2008" in their name & gets some more work done to Vista the Enterprise market isn't going to have anything to do with them. Anyone who's used Office 2008 on top of Vista knows what I'm talking about..
Yep, I think you mean Office 2007. I like most of the features though. The live preview when mousing over items is great. I expect they'll streamline it a little more in the next major release.
Wow...these are the first details to come out of the marketing...nice job. I'm so excited now. Bee Movie + Bill Gates= total Kung Fu Panda awesomeness!
Umm...skeh-douche?
$300 million isn't at all unusual for Microsoft. They regularly spend 100, 200, or 300 million on ad campaigns (and are very vocal about how much they're spending, as if it's a badge of honor).
What surprises me more is that Jerry's taking their money. He's been an ardent Mac fan, and his apartment on Seinfeld has always had a mac, whether it was a Classic, an iMac, or a 20th Anniversary edition. I'd think he'd be above shilling against his beliefs.
that was product placement. Apple even had a Seinfeld cdrom years ago...