Comments

1. phpmaven

   
   Posted on: September 21, 2008 at 11:07PM  

   "I think this is a great advertisement campaign, except I can’t see how it relates to Vista. "

   This advertising campaign is not about Vista, but it's about the whole Windows experience. Microsoft has made that clear in a number of places.

   Mark
2. nycbesad

   
   Posted on: September 22, 2008 at 1:17AM  

   But what priority is Vista?  TOday I saw five pc commercials (which I like) and only the second Vista ad I've ever seen.  Even though most people still use XP, Vista is technically the only OS MS is selling to consumers so I'd expect it to be more prominent, unless I'm right in thinking they are downplaying it and can't wait to get over it.  A lot of people seem to be moving on.  Check the number of posts here vs the number posts at the Enginering 7 blog.  Is it too late for Vista to win over the hearts and minds?
3. ExDotNetter

   
   Posted on: September 22, 2008 at 6:03PM  

   Back in 2002, I remember having to defend Linux against attacks from Windows users who were constantly finding something wrong with my system, bitching at its performance, and the amount of time it would take me to get something working because of missing/unsupported formats and whatnot... That's what made me jump on the MS bandwagon in the first place! Being able to do my job with an OS that's just there... that doesn't put me in a position where I get criticized for someone else's work, namely the OS developers'.

   With Vista, the tables have turned... I had to defend it against

   - XP users

   - Mac users

   - Linux users

   - Other Vista users who know s**t from Shinola

   XP users tend to spew out more venom than even Linux users.

   But defending Linux is one thing... It's free, it's open source, and by and large, it was created by volunteers, so it could be held to a lower standard... But with Vista... what the heck am I defending? The biggest, richest software company in the world that has ~92% market share despite having the worst browser and the worst operating system that gets worse with every release??? Give me a break! That's almost like Bill O'Reilly's job of defending a government that failed the Founding Fathers and their ideals and still dares to call itself conservative...

   As they say, if you can't beat them join them... So now I'm joining the "Vista haters' club". Not because it did something to me personally... but precisely because it benefits .net developers at the expense of normal users, from your average secretary to your average LAMP developer who uses Windows on their workstation. When it comes to choosing technologies that others will like, I know I don't know s*** from Shinola. I've known that since I decided to go with XSLT for a project of mine... But it doesn't mean that others don't!

    If Microsoft wants to have a snowball's chance in hell of not being completely wiped out by Google & Co. and becoming "the second Apple" instead, it has to start thinking about delivering quality products to the users and actually keeping them satisfied instead of pushing products down their throat against their will and using dirty PR tricks to create the impression of a satisfied user base... just to get more people to try the product and then stick with it because they can't get their money back...

    My project manager once said, "you're the only one I know who said anything positive about Vista". So much for 89% satisfaction!!!
4. ashleyjean

   
   Posted on: September 25, 2008 at 1:51AM  

   I don't see how the new ad campaign is related to the "window experience". Obviously Microsoft hasn't made this "clear in a number of places" if they have to keep reiterating the fact. This new ad campaign is a desperate attempt to try and beat Apple at their own game. Apple created an image and not only does their ad compaign convey the image it wants to portray, it does so with humor -- at the stake of it's competitor. That's not negativity -- that's genious. On top of that, Apple finds out what their customers' wants/needs/fears are and capitalizes on them. For example, they found out a major reason that PC users refuse to switch is because of the hassle of converting files. Not only did Apple create a solution but they addressed it in their ad campaign. Maybe PC should spend a little more time focusing on their customers' needs and a little less time trying to get back at Apple? Whenever my friends and I saw the "Life Without Walls" commercial, our first reaction was not.. "wow, I want the Windows experience". Instead it was, "They're finally reacting. Do you think Steve Jobs is scared? No way. Too little. Too late."

   I am a Mac and a PC.
5. Richard

   
   Posted on: October 29, 2008 at 11:39PM  

   I have a real concern about your "Windows. Life Without Walls" advertisements.  I have seen these on billboards.  

   You have a couple that focus on life, but two that focus on violence, death, and the abuse of nature.

   Of all the images you could have picked, why choose one about boxing?  Why show violence?

   The advertisement I find most troubling is the man holding the dead marlin as a trophy.  Would you show someone holding a dead cougar or leopard?  A marlin is a beautiful ocean creature, and I cannot understand why you would choose to show one someone has presumably killed.  This is an anti-environment image.  Our oceans are in peril, and Microsoft is showing a big, dead fish in its advertising.

   What is the message here?  That it Microsoft supports and encourages violence against humans and animals?

   The marlin billboard troubles me every time I see it.  

   Please consider the message Microsoft is giving by the choices made for your advertising.

   If you think I am not correct in this, why not conduct some focus groups and show them various images, including these?  Ask for feedback on whether people like the images, and if they communicate positive or negative impressions or reactions.
6. Tania Lopez

   
   Posted on: November 05, 2008 at 11:45AM  

   I love this "I'm a PC" campaign. As Deepak Chopra says "Collective Creativity".  I use a PC for all my internet marketing strategies.  I am so in love with my PC.
7. xf55

   
   Posted on: August 03, 2009 at 4:12AM  

   evvet budur