Here is the link that explains why they made this ad.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/windows/featureStories.aspx?story=660dee9e-9606-4e77-843e-ed81d83c0bfe

For years now, MS software has made me have to adjust my knickers after getting them into a twist.
I didn’t know it was because they were implementing the chewy_cake API into the A$$Crack.dll.
This explains the problems with the incompatible geek/fem drivers.

Too stupid. Couldn’t watch it all. What IS Microsoft thinking?

I can’t believe you guys aren’t getting it. Bill G’s underwear, new products, get it? Consumers will be more than satisfied with the “delicious” output of Bill G’s underpants. Seinfeld is a genius! It is genius, and no, you are not an idiot, and no, they could not have been to the point.

Sounds like people wanted these ads to be some kind of fanboy flame war which would be completely stupid and undignified for ANY company to engage in.

I think it was the perfect introduction, low key, dignified with more to come. Not some tech / jargon laden televised flame war.

It achieves the point of implying Microsoft as comfortable, like a good pair of shoes, with many choices and more to come down the line.

I’m no Marketing expert either but I got the point.

@Eric

Many of the most memorable commercials are ‘mini series’.

Anyway, whatever they did they would get dumped on by many in the tech community. Let’s see where it goes. Actually, they should reshoot this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvbWLfr-Z4s

I can’t believe how bad this is! What’s it about again?

Maybe they’re shooting for a Steve-Jobs-like cult of personality.

Gosh, wouldn’t that be great? At least Bill keeps his lizard brain the hell away from most actual development, unlike the fatally aesthetically-focused Jobs. (Who needs 3G in a smart phone when it looks THAT good?)

Does seem like a tremendous waste of money, despite the fact that I found it incredibly funny.

I don’t understand the “there’s more to go” comment. This is a commercial, NOT a sitcom or mini-series. There was nothing said about a product at all in the 90 seconds. Cute and clever does not equal advertising unless there is a point somewhere that hints at the why someone should buy the stuff. In this add, the hint was that someday, in the future (who knows when), Windows might be “delicious”. Hmmm, that helps.

ok on the photo ID, that’s Bill’s mug shot from when he was younger. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/gatesmug1.html

OK, so they’re trying to plug photo IDs with ancient photos?

The problem is, if everyone’s reactions are similar to mine and Jose’s, it will not only reinforce all the negative “karma” regarding Microsoft’s marketing, but there won’t be anyone interested in the “few more to go.” At least they could have put a “to be continued” on it to let folks know there’s more.

They needed to come out swinging for the fences. This doesn’t cut it (so far), IMO.

But hey, I’m not a marketing professional. I’m sure they know what they’re doing.

The cake is a lie!

and yes, it made me want to eat and buy shoes … Maybe Nike and cheese cake factory should hire them

Probably would not have mattered what they put out- your response would have still been negative.

The humor is forced and you’re right, you don’t even know what they’re pushing. Well, you know and I know, but it certainly doesn’t make Vista any more appealing. Nice waste of money MS.

Bill’s photo id was funny.

Don’t be too harsh, there’s a few more to go….

Agreed. I don’t get it either…