Thanks, Gilles.

It’s still funny all these years later.

For Michael T. Microsoft’s fake “Switch to Windows” ad backfires.

http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec102002.html

Political types call seeding and subsidizing fake grass roots organizations “astroturfing”. It’s a great term, though it’s probably someone’s trademark.

I’ve actually had more PDF troubles on my Macs than on Windows, with fillable forms often not working well in the Mac version of Adobe Reader, not working at all in Preview, while working perfectly fine on the Windows version of Reader. Now that I’m using Adobe Professional, I’ve had no PDF issues whatsoever on either platform (Adobe Professional 7 for Windows and 8 for Macintosh).

Didn’t Microsoft get busted doing something like that fake-enthusiat promotion before? I can’t remember the details, but I thought they used bogus letters, or something like that, from supposedly unpaid folk, then it turned out the photos they used of the people were stock photos.

Anyone remember more about this?

“there are some technical and/or feature-related reasons other than “its in front of you” to use Windows”

Perhaps in your business. I use XP at work and I do not see one feature or piece of software that makes up for the inherent problems associated with Windows. For goodness sake: simple stuff like PDF display is horribly implented on Windows.

While Macs do tend to make fans out of many, there are some technical and/or feature-related reasons other than “its in front of you” to use Windows. I run my own business, and while I have a Mac as my home computer, my office network is Windows, by choice, because the functions I wanted were easier and less expensive to implement on the Windows platform. There is no paid IT guy, no free product and now desire to impress anyone, just picking the best tool for the job. For many jobs the right rool is a Mac, for others its Windows. For most jobs, I’d say that it makes very little difference.

To cfenger – - Thanks, I was unaware of that. Sometimes people can in fact evolve. My apologies to the current incarnation of Paul Thurrott. In his former incarnation it wasn’t his criticism of Apple and the Mac community that ticked me. It was his uninformed ad hominem attacks that was so irksome. I wonder what promped him to change his tune somewhat?

Malcolm,

Thurrott has been, of late, exceedingly gracious about the Mac. Not sure why, but if it keeps up, you’ll have to take him off the list of guys like Dvorak, Scoble, etc.

Read his latest post on Apple customer care: http://www.internet-nexus.com/2007/01/in-praise-of-apple-support.htm

Most people DON’T “choose Windows”. Paid IT guys choose it. The question is: paid by whom?

Well, I do not doubt that there are folks who prefer Windows for logical and/or emotional reasons.

There is at least one ‘big fan’ (i.e. shill) that is extent on the internet message boards. His name is Paul Thurrott. Years ago he used to incessantly, and obnoxiously, troll the Mac message boards. He seems, for the most part, to have become tired of responding to the sea of true Mac aficionados who would ruthlessly debunk and expose him. Now he seems mostly content to muck about with his shabby anti-Mac/ pro Windows website.

BTW I seem to remember that when Apple introduced the iPod at MW that all attendees got one. In retrospect a terrific way to quickly get them in the hands of reporters and enthusiasts.

The iPod was introduced at a press briefing, and offering review units to the press is standard operating procedure. Of course, there’s no assurance that the review will be favorable, of course.

Aside from the iPod and software, Apple maintains a rigorous watch on review product, and they expect you to return the unit, such as a new Mac, as agreed, usually within 30 days.

Peace,
Gene

Viral marketing only seems to work when it’s truly viral. i can’t think of any product that tried to use this technique that succeeded.

MS isn’t the only company that doesn’t get this.

where to I sign up to extoll the priaises of “The next bib thing?”

My vote’s for sale. make me an offer

I seem to remember that when Apple introduced the iPod at MW that all attendees got one. In retrospect a terrific way to quickly get them in the hands of reporters and enthusiasts.