It looks like 2007 is no repeat of 1995. The last time Microsoft got crowds to line up at midnight for a badly faked Mac OS called “Windows 95,” there was no widespread use of the Internet, no YouTube, and no blogsphere with which to contend. Microsoft’s still trying to sell their derivative wares the old way with glitzy parties, goodie bags for “journalists,” network TV interviews, and massive mainstream media buys, but it doesn’t seem to be working very well in 2007. Too many independent sources of information that can’t be corralled, perhaps?
“At a CompUSA store in Raleigh, only about a dozen people waited around to be among the first to get Vista. The store reopened at 10 p.m., offering customers coffee and discounts on other items including printers and recordable DVDs, and planned to stay open until at least 2 a.m,” Elizabeth Dunbar reports for The Associated Press.
Dunbar reports, “Mike Johnson, 29, of nearby Rolesville, bought a laptop computer with the new software preinstalled. ‘The biggest reason for me is the new interface. It looks so much better than XP,’ he said. ‘Apple computers have had nice graphical interfaces for some time. But it’s the first time Windows has even approached that level.'”
MacDailyNews Take: Obviously, some delusional souls do remain.
Dunbar continues, “In Cleveland’s suburb of Brooklyn, Ohio, about 300 people braved 20 degree weather for a midnight celebration at Best Buy, which arranged free hot dogs and autographs from former Cleveland Browns player Bob Golic. About 35 Vista packages were sold just after midnight.”
MacDailyNews Take: 260 for Golic, 5 for the free meat darts, and 35 people who are just fine with settling for what they think is “good enough.”
Dunbar continues, “DSG International PLC’s flagship PC World store in central London opened before dawn Tuesday with costumed characters, including Sherlock Holmes to signify security and Marilyn Monroe to emphasize multimedia. Some three dozen enthusiasts were waiting outside the store when it opened.”
MacDailyNews Take: 36 enthusiasts in central London? Wow.
Full article here.
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Ibookfast:
Thank you. I stand corrected. If there was a store in my city, I’d at least go by to see what was up. I don’t think I’d stand in a long line, though.
It does sound like Zune sales all over again doesn’t it?
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I don’t know what everybody is so bummed about, I think Vista looks good. This really is the best Windows we’ver ever shipped.
Yeah Vista’s logo is in a bubble alright, and very fitting. The bubble is about to burst.
Last night a couple of frat boys fired off some bottle rockets in the U-district. News on the radio this morning called it a wild celebration. Frankly, the guys on fraternity row were too crocked last night to tell WHAT they were celebrating. Today was the day for trash pickup…maybe that was it.
I’m not bummed.. it’s poetic justice. Besides if it’s “really is the best Windows we’ver ever shipped.”, that ain’t sayin’ much.
Of course I realize you’re tongue is firmly your cheek, “Mr. Gates”.
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R, thanks for the big chuckle. I haven’t laughed so hard since – well, yesterday, when I read that the new Bush WH pastry chef authored “dessert for dummies!”
How long before a Vista stand is used to carry iPods?
Have you seen the price of Vista! The full Ultimate version is horrendously expensive. At least when the iPhone is considered too expensive everyone still wants one. But you can’t charge a premium when the demand isn’t there.
Give it about a month and then release Leopard into the wild.
36 people out of a population of 7,000,000+.
W O W them’s good odds!
M$ needs a complete re-structure and a tree looping team to cut away the dead wood.
Start with Monkey-boy.
“Some three dozen enthusiasts were waiting outside the store when it opened.” No – they were just the usual crop of homeless folk sleeping on the pavement (sidewalk).
What a bunch of stupid fracks on this forum! The vast majority of people will “upgrade” to Vista when they buy a new computer. And every new PC is now sold with it pre-installed. Take a look at the sales figures for all the PC manufacturers vs what Apple sells in a quarter. Then you’ll know who’s king of the hill.
Microsoft makes more profit in the fiscal year than Apple grosses. You folks need to wake up and go get a life before you die from a Mac Attack.
300 people in line at Cleveland and only 35 bought Vista? Sounds like most were there to get Bob Golic’s autograph.
36 in London? Jeez thats a poor show. When I went there for a weekend last year I visited one of the apple stores (we dont have any official ones here) and it was buzzin.
This “big event” (or should I say, “non-event”) .. reminds me of
the last time MS pushed their over-bloated wares onto the unsuspecting
sheep.. although, I cant remember if it was ME, 2000 or whatever .. (who cares, right ?)
At any rate, I was having a conversation with a devout Mac-hater, and it went something like this ….
Hater: Oh yeah ! … I’m stoked !! .. I just got the new MS-OS and it’s really great !
Me: Really ? (yawn) .. Whats so great about it ?
Hater: .. Well, it only took 2 hrs and 45 mins to install !! … But the best part
is … the crashes aren’t so bad !!
I almost wet myself, laffing so hard !
Did someone call my name?
Actually, I heard about half of the 36 wandered in asking, “Are you selling Harry Potter 7?!”
Can’t wait ’til Leopard rips the Bubble Boy a new one.
Is it possible that folks are finally wising up to M$’s culture of mediocrity? I think we have a much more educated consumer these days.
Check out this Microsoft Canada promotion in Toronto. They have built an ice house in the shape of a cube. Gee this looks familiar.
Mickeysoft’s crappy imitation:
http://www.microsoft.com/canada/wow/default.mspx
The original Apple store cube:
http://www.panoramas.dk/newspanos/f20-apple-store.html
MDN magic word “movement” as in Vista, Microsoft’s newest bowel movement…
@ Former Mac User
This from the Vista Liscense Agreement found ..Here
Activation associates the use of the software with a specific device. During activation, the software
will send information about the software and the device to Microsoft. This information includes the
version, language and product key of the software, the Internet protocol address of the device, and
information derived from the hardware configuration of the device. For more information, see
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=69497. By using the software, you consent to the
transmission of this information
and if thats not enough ..
During a validation check, the software will send information about the software and the device
to Microsoft. This information includes the version and product key of the software, and the
Internet protocol address of the device
Former Mac User ..? When ??
The Apple }{ ???
“In Cleveland’s suburb of Brooklyn, Ohio, about 300 people braved 20 degree weather for a midnight celebration at Best Buy, which arranged free hot dogs and autographs from former Cleveland Browns player Bob Golic. About 35 Vista packages were sold just after midnight.”
Presuming those were sales (with no discounts) of the premium version of Vista, they only grossed about $14,000.
Yes, I know they probably sold some other stuff also.
However, I have to wonder…was that $14,000 was enough to pay Mr. Golic?
Wow.
-dude, I just had a wow moment.
-c
MW: ‘filled’ (to capacity with dark matter)
You know, I’ve seen more people in line to see Gigli.
This just proves that you can sell warm shit on a cold winter’s night. I guess there is at least one born every minute. Maybe even 36.
If I look to the east, I can see the foundations of the dark tower beginning to crumble.
Remember this night when the iPhone is released.
Let go, trust your feelings…