Image: I’m A PC Life Without Walls website screen grab

I’m sure everyone has now experience the "I’M A PC" commercials that have been running from Microsoft recently. I’m also sure most of us would agree that they’re better, share a better story, and saved a bunch of money compared to the Seinfeld ads they originally premiered.

Tim Heuer shared an image that captures a bit of a bummer of a location to place a "buffering" image over a video that’s trying to load for the campaign.

I tried to find the video and see if the buffering placement was an issue for me as well, but mine loaded too quickly I guess. Check out Tim Heuer’s image he shared with the world.

It kind of gives a new meaning to "graphic" placement.

Pretty funny stuff.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I really do enjoy the PC vs. Mac TV commercials. I think they’re extremely creative and entertaining. I don’t feel they are exactly based on facts or research though.

The one above for instance implies that Microsoft is spending only a fraction of their money into actually improving Vista.

The other interesting commercial out recently is the one where PC has a buzzer and "censors" the word "Vista" anytime it’s said.

Source: GrokDotCom "The Larger Truth Behind Apple’s New Commercial

I’m not sure why but I’ve been a bit intrigued lately by some Microsoft advertisements. From print ads to television commercials. Here’s two to compare real quick. The first one is an old one that I don’t remember.

In quite a bit of contrast, here’s a more contemporary commercial from Microsoft.

Which one does a better job of selling the product? Do either one? The second is more "creative" per se, but I don’t think it really promotes the product or intention as visually and effectively.

For a really different Microsoft ad, check-out the one below.

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I’ve been playing around with my website I setup on Microsoft Office Live’s Small Business Services website. I initially just set it up to test the service and learn a little bit about it, now I’m thinking I may actually start using the domain for somewhat of a client portal of my own.

I received a flyer in the mail recently reminding me of the services available to me, but also letting me know that many of the services that were “premium” are now free.

• Advanced web site design: if it’s web based still no use to me, if it’s web space I can upload my own ASP.NET pages to, then that will be perfect!)
• Contact Manager (NOW FREE): this could really be a benefit to me if I use it efficiently.
• Business Applications (NOW FREE): not sure about this, will have to investigate it further
• E-mail Marketing (NEW): At this point it’s not something I’m going to pay to use for what I can produce all that I need with free methods.
• Store Manager (NEW): I do have more clients wanting to sell products on the web, so this could be interesting.
• adManager: Again, not something I’ve needed to take too much advantage of at this point.

Are you using Microsoft Office Live’s Small Business Services? Do you host your website through them? I’d love to hear how you’re using it and see what you’ve got available online through their services. Let me know in the comments.

A local Indianapolis software company that has developed what appears to be the marketing standard for automobile dealerships is now partnering with Microsoft to continue to grow their customer base and expand on their territory.

Building a better mousetrap is one thing. Persuading businesses to try it is another. Consider the challenge of Indianapolis-based marketing-software maker Autobase Inc. About 1,400 U.S. automobile dealers have installed Autobase’s system, which helps manage sales leads, customer contacts and records. Autobase sales topped $16 million in 2005, and the company made both the Inc. 500 and Deloitte & Touche’s Technology Fast 500 for two years running.

But to make inroads at the remaining 21,500 U.S. dealerships, Autobase must get them to switch from another marketing system—or, more often, adopt one for the first time.

This month, the 140-employee company helmed by CEO W. Scott Webber inked a partnership with tech heavyweight Microsoft Corp. that might fuel additional growth. The deal will allow Autobase to piggyback its software on Microsoft’s as the Seattle company launches products aimed at auto dealers.

I’m curious as to what types of products Microsoft is aiming at auto dealers? Is it Microsoft Dynamics there mainstream CRM product?

Source: Autobase teams with Microsoft: Local software maker sees big potential in partnership

Two guys on screen, one says he’s a PC and the other says he’s a Mac. The PC guy starts sneezing and talking about having a virus and the Mac guy is helping the PC guy out with a tissue, blah-blah-blah.

Would someone please write a playful little virus that would prove that one of the main (notice I didn’t say only) reason PC’s are more insecure is because they’ve got a giant target on their back?

Daniel isn’t real sure given his recent experience with the “People Ready” introduction page, a part of Microsoft’s new marketing efforts.

Um. Well, no – Thank you, Microsoft, for being ready for this person.

Good questions Daniel. I agree they’ve got some things they can work on to improve, but there seems to be a definite push for pursuing the real needs of their end-users.

This blog has recently got the attention of a Microsoft employee for challenges “people” have experienced with Visual Studio 2005. Let’s hope they hear your experience and provide some feedback as well.