http://www.nytimes.com/20...EMAIL.html

Ad Campaign Leaves Pie on Microsoft’s Face
By DAVID POGUE


eople accuse Microsoft of devious tactics all the time. Flanked by the best lawyers that money can buy, Microsoft generally denies the accusations, and that’s that.

This week, though, Microsoft gave itself a big, goopy pie in the face. On October 9, the company posted a testimonial on its Web site called “Confessions of a Mac to PC Convert.” It was a first-person account by a “freelance writer” about how she had fallen in love with Windows XP, which she compared to a Lexus. “I was up and running in less than one day, Girl Scout's honor,” burbled the attractive, 20-something brunette in the photo.

There was only one problem: She doesn’t exist.

A with-it member of Slashdot.org, the popular hangout for articulate nerds, happened to notice that the woman’s picture actually came from GettyImages.com, a stock-photo agency. Ted Bridis, and Associated Press reporter, took it from there. Amazingly, he tracked authorship of the article to Valerie Mallinson, a public-relations woman hired by Microsoft to write the story.

I was dying to find out how this public-relations fiasco came to pass, but Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla would speak only in Officialese. “The article was mistakenly posted to the Microsoft Web Site,” is all he would tell me. “Once we realized that it wasn’t part of the Windows XP marketing activities, we pulled it. It’s an unfortunate situation, and we take responsibility.”

No wonder Microsoft became a laughingstock online. “Once we realized…?” Hello? Exactly how disconnected are the right and left hands of Microsoft’s marketing organization?

And then there’s the feebleness of the ad itself. Not only is it a childish attempt to mimic Apple’s “Switch” campaign, but Microsoft’s bogus customer is hopelessly misinformed. “AppleWorks pales in comparison to Microsoft Office XP. There’s no equivalent for the versatility of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,” she writes, evidently never having heard of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Macintosh.

Then she makes it worse: “Internet Explorer 6 does more for me than Netscape Navigator ever did...I can name and organize my Favorites any way I want.” First of all, Internet Explorer is on the Mac, too. Second, had Ms. Fictitious ever, in fact, used Netscape Navigator, she might have realized that it, too, permits naming and organizing bookmarks.

To be sure, the online community is wasting no time in rubbing these gaffes in Microsoft’s face. But nobody’s mentioning the most disturbing part of all this: That it’s part of a longer string of fraudulent Microsoft marketing efforts.

In 1998, The Los Angeles Times reported that during its antitrust trials, Microsoft hired PR firms to flood newspapers with fake letters of support, bearing ordinary individuals' names but actually written by Microsoft PR staff. Payments were funneled through Microsoft's main PR agency so that the checks couldn't be traced.

Later, during the antitrust trial, Microsoft attempted to prove the inseparability of Windows and Internet Explorer by showing the judge a video. There was only one problem: The government's lawyer noticed that as the tape rolled on, the number of icons on the desktop kept changing. Microsoft sheepishly admitted to having spliced together footage from different computers to make its point.

And now this: a phony testimonial illustrated by a photo bought from a stock-art agency.

What does all of this say about a company’s corporate psyche that it feels the need to fabricate evidence of the public’s love?

Maybe Microsoft is jealous of the genuine affection Mac fans seem to exhibit for their machines. Maybe, improbably, the company actually feels rejected by the quirky (and, as far as anyone can tell, real) people in Apple’s “Switch” ads.

But more likely, Microsoft’s latest blunder demonstrates is neither jealousy nor wounded pride; it’s pure arrogance. The company thinks it can get away with anything. This time, at least, it’s wrong.

Microsoft can't settle for just stealing ideas from Apple's operating system... they have to steal ad campaigns as well...

...at least Apple's ads are from REAL people and they didn't pay people to lie.

Microsoft sucks
Apple is great

what is the difference between a MAC and a PC??? I've never used a MAC before...

IsayWhatever said:

a Mac works. and it allows u 2 escape the worst thing that ever happened 2 personal computer: Microsoft (Windooze, more in particular).

so what are their operating systems? and what's the difference between the mac's and windows?

wants to buy a mac now

Mac is for computer users what AOL is for internet users.

an easy to use Playskool version to get beginners ready for the big leagues. warning: the buttons are smaller and don't have pictures on them when you grow up!
[This message was edited Sat Oct 19 9:54:26 PDT 2002 by AaronForever]

IsayWhatever said:

About the same as comparing MJ to Prince. Mac is far better.

IsayWhatever said:

mmm...2 keep it VERY short (check www.apple.com 4 more info) mac's have been more userfriendly, ellegant and per4mant than, typically, intell-microsoft machines (2 b honest, untill recentely they also were more xpensive).
Microsoft has never been afraid to copy apple-based developpements, like the window-based graphical user interface.
The latest OS, MacOS X, is based on the open source Unix/linux language, making it xtremely stable. On top of that is a state of the art UI, putting Windooz XP to shame.

anyweez, i'm sure other have more time 2 tell u about this, or do some research. And don't get me wrong, i'm not all contra microsoft products. Their office suit is a pain in the ass, but as an integreted software packet it's quite good. Nevertheless i loath their company practices.

Brilliant stuff Hooray for Slashdot!

SpcMs said:

Probably nowhere near as disconnected as the right and left hands of the npgmc are...(booyah!!)

Hmmm...is KellyAnne freelancing for Microsoft now??..

IsayWhatever said:

Apple computers run Mac OS usually (although you can run other operating systems like Linux if you wish). Mac OS was around long before Windows came on the scene, and it has kept a very consistent and intuitive user interface over the years. The most recent version (Mac OS X) is based on a Unix (BSD) kernel, and is very pretty indeed. You can run lots of Unix / Linux stuff alongside Apple stuff which is really nice. It's a bit of a heavy beast though, and you need a powerful machine to run it well.

Mac OS and Windows are totally different operating systems. Apple has a much smaller share of the market nowadays of course, but still popular among musicians, graphics designers / desktop publishing, and education sector. Their low-end machines like the iMac and the iBook have sold pretty well for them too.


By the way - I will lock this thread if it descends into a stupid "X vs Y" argument about Windows vs MacOS, Microsoft vs Apple or anything equally pointless.

IsayWhatever said:

I have both a PC and a Mac cuz I have to use both...different clients use different systems, so I'm bogged down with two stinkin' computers to switch back and forth between...I actually prefer working with PCs now over Macs, but it was a VERY hard fought battle..lol

SpcMs said:

Actually no. Mac OS X has the "Darwin" core which is actually based on the BSD kernel - NOT Linux. And Linux (and Unix) isn't a language - it is an operating system.

Also for the record - Apple stole their UI from Xerox Parc many years ago. I'm an Apple fan too but let's keep things in perspective - MS aren't the only people who stole GUI components from other people

Mac OS X has a lovely UI, but it is actually not that stable yet because it is very new, and poorly supported in terms of software (in comparison to Mac OS 9, or Windows or Linux). Also, it is dog slow - it shift memory around in 80MB pages which is not exactly fast on current mass-market SDRAM and DDR technology. It certainly doesn't outperform Windows or Linux, in any area yet aside from the kickass user interface.

I usually use Linux or Windows myself - I like Apple but there isn't enough software support. Last Mac I had was lovely but it got no use because all the software I needed was Windows only unfortunately. The GOOD thing is though, if you like Linux the latest version of Linux for Mac are great - SuSE PPC is superb, and comes with tons of free software.

Apple is a niche market for people who love to hate Microsoft. The reason Windows owners dont fondle their computers is because its just a computer!

If someone buys a mac, you'll KNOW they have one because they will lunge at the opportunity to tell you about it, like its their newborn son. They get sucked into this cultish mentality of elitism. They overlook all the flaws of the Macintosh computers and amp up the slightest benefits.

Yes Microsoft is after a complete monopoly in the OS department, yes their marketing department is obviously shady. but you know what? Most of the money you spend on a computer and everything that goes with it does not go to Microsoft. Windows is a couple hundred dollars, a computer with all its software and devices costs several thousand dollars. There are tons of non-Microsoft companies making plenty of money off of the computer industry, so why all the paranoia and complaining?

What is the other option? There be 5 or 6 competing OSes? Then department stores can sell 5 ot 6 versions of EACH PRODUCT? And you can have a field day finding the exact item for your specific OS? It would be a complete nightmare.

Is Macintosh really any less proprietary than Windows?

I've used Macintosh for over 10 years now at both home and school. And I suffered through the complete lack of software, devices, and support. I suffered through just as many unexplainable errors on a MAC that I did on a Windows machine. Except when you need help, you cant ask a friend or a neighbor because they have no clue. When you need a replacement part, you cant run down to the store and get it right away. When a new program comes out, you can only hope there will be a Mac version of it.

When I decided to buy my own computer, I bought a Windows machine. When I need a program for a specific need, I can find it instantly. When I have a question, theres people all around me that can answer it. When I need a repair, theres someone down the street that can do it.

And for all you naysayers, Windows XP is very stable and can remain that way if you maintain it properly. I run programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreaweaver, 3d Studio Max, and many others simultaneously with no trouble. A majority of problems people have with their PCs is due to the software they install on it, which is oftem poorly written. When we're repairing PCs at work, a majority of the time it involves removing crap running in the background like Realplayer and AOLs autostart options, spyware, and other junk thats slowing it down and causing conflicts.

First and foremost, I have work to do. I dont sit and gaze at the stylish case on my tower, I make web sites and layouts for my clients. I dont relish in the false pride of owning a Mac, I avoid it because of its limitations.

Throughout life theres a variety of things you inevitably have to learn, like driving a car, balancing your checkbook, and other fun stuff. Well its also peoples responsibility to learn how to use their computer, instead of junking it, blaming all the problems of the world on Microsoft, and running to Apple. Because guess what, your gonna run into just as many hassles on a Mac.

This is the numero uno complaint of Mac enthusiasts. That Microsoft stole Apples idea. Computers would have evolved into an intuitive graphical UI inevitably with or without Apple. Thats like saying Ford and Chevrolet stole the cavemans idea of the wheel.

wow, thanks u guys you are all very helpful!


actually I heard that windows (excel, access, word etc) programs work on MACs... how could that be if they are competing against each other supposedly

and they also say that they do have all the software for MAC's as there is for WINDOWS...

I really want a MAC now! lol I've had the same computer for 4 years! (it was my first) Too bad I can't trade in this old one for a down on a MAC!

IsayWhatever said:

Neither operating system is without its flaws. Theres a tremendous community of people developing software, technologies and devices for Windows. That in itself makes it more valuable to me.

Microsoft makes Office for the Mac and it is actually better than the Windows version.

And...

You can run pretty much ALL Windows software on a Mac with Virtual PC... it works. I use VPC to run the software for my Polar heart rate monitor and it works very well.

And...

You can quickly recompile about 99.9% of all Unix applications to run on Mac OS X very quickly.

The Mac really is a better system and it really is far easier to use, but Macs are still a little more expensive than PCs.

I used to be a PC user and switched to a Mac in 1991... I haven't looked back, although I am an IT manager for a large corporation and we use PCs and Unix systems.

well I'm not computer illiterate or anything, I actually want to pursue getting certified as a MSCE/MSCA, I just never used a MAC...

in the school I want to go to they don't offer anything MACS... not even big name schools like "new horizons" or techie.com... Can someone tell me why? Everything is on PC platforms

this is my last question thanks!

I find it strange that it's always Mac users that are on some crusade to convert people to their way. I guess PC users have more fulfilling lives that they aren't defined by their computer

Use whichever is the best tool for the task at hand. Sometimes that's 3ds Max on Windows on a bog-standard x86 PC, sometimes it's Photoshop on Mac OS X on an Apple Mac.

I'm going to lock this thread because these things have a silly way of turning into a stupid X vs Y argument. Utterly pointless.

However I'll answer "IsayWhatever"'s question before we close it.



It's rather obvious. Microsoft Windows has approximately a 90% share of the desktop computer market. More people use Windows, and knowing how to use Windows will probably be more useful to you in your professional life. Also since it is the most common platform, it is the platform people are most familiar with. The schools naturally want to cater to the majority, and want value from their purchase - x86 PC hardware is cheap, and often has a good upgrade path available.

Windows 2000 is actually pretty good. It has flaws of course. Mac OS X is pretty good too. It also has flaws. Linux is even better, but that has flaws too. Just choose whatever gets the job done, and leave the religion and zealotry out of it