Switch… Back?

Posted on October 14, 2002

Looks like Apple’s Switch ads are hitting home… Microsoft has a new page up detailing the experiences of a “freelance writer” (whose picture comes from a stock photography library), who made the switch from a Mac to Windows XP and now is soooooooooooooooooooo happy she could just DIE.

I don’t buy it. Check out this choice quote from the page to find out why:

“I upgraded to Outlook when I installed Office XP. I chose Yes when Outlook asked whether I wanted to import messages from Outlook Express. Later, I had to uninstall and reinstall Outlook, but all was not lost.”

Yeah, you KNOW it’s friendly when you have to uninstall and reinstall your applications!

I can sympathize with poor Microsoft, what with Apple getting all the plaudits for their creative Switch ads. It’s gotta hurt. But this lame attempt sure isn’t going to make me love Janie Porche any less 🙂

FOLLOW-UP: Wow, that was fast! Microsoft has apparently pulled down the embarrassing page in question. No wonder: here’s the proof that the “woman” who they highlighted came straight from a stock photo house. Oops! And just to prove that I’m not making all this up, check out the thread on Slashdot where I first found the story. Talk about your PR goofs! Ah well, just another Monday in Redmond…