Geek In Disguise

Absolutely awesome - saw it as well as it aired!

So this was flushing how many million down the toilet?

"The Seinfeld Experiment"?

Hoping this was just a teaser before they show the real ad shows *fingers crossed*

I've seen a good few "internal" videos featuring Ballmer and Gates. They make a great double act. Why don't they just use them both to front the ads. Add a great script and you've got  viral geek heaven.

Ballmer + Gates   Microsoft's answer to the UK's Smith + Jones!

My word Steve, such a cool ad, love it mate.

Big respect to Microsoft, I love the way you guys dont always have to take yourselves so seriously (like some other people :) ).

Have a great trip,

Chris

no go..

would it not have been better to just get Seinfeld in a black turtle neck shirt with blue jeans to show Live Mesh, Sync, and hint at the future OS in the cloud?

A little underwhelming.

I suppose it might be better for Seinfeld fans, but I much prefer Curb Your Enthusiasm, as regards Larry David's stuff.

Maybe Larry installing Vista - Ted Danson going "my god, Larry's installing Vista", his wife imagining the dire consequences etc, then Larry going off cursing and sighing, leading the viewer to think that there's some issue with Vista, but it turns out to be something else entirely (maybe he gets a mail from Seinfeld about the chance shoe shop meeting and Larry goes off on one about never meeting anyone really famous any more) and it's fully set up and working perfectly.  Maybe a little too far fetched ;)

I do agree about the Ballmer/Gates double act.  

Gareth

Bizarre!

What is it trying to sell?

Hmmmm...

Nice ad guys. Good to know we don't have anything to worry about.

S

Better resolution with the Silverlight version http://www.microsoft.com/windows/

I like it, it's very different from normal MS approach...shows MS has stopped taking itself so seriously.

If an advert gets you talking and thinking about it, that's one tick in the box. Looking forward to the next installment!

I think it's just the beginning and in terms of what it's trying to sell I'd say it's "Microsoft" rather than Windows at this stage. we shall see.

I think it's interesting that 5 years ago Bill probably brought quite negative connotations to many on the back of the Dept of Justice case but he's now become one of the most powerful PR "assets" we have and in terms of grabbing attention I'd say this ad has achieved its aim. the tough part is what to do next....how do we turn that attention and discussion in to something positive.

Jas - I agree the Ballmer and Gates ads are funny but to a limited audience of guys like us. I'd suspect not many folks outside of the geeksphere would recognise Steve Ballmer and though it'd get some laughts, this needs to become a Windows campaign.