Henry Phish

So after all the hype around Google and Chrome in the last couple of weeks, I got to thinking about Microsoft, and how they were chalking up these days. The funny thing is, they really aren’t that exciting.

A couple weeks ago they bought Bloomberg for a bunch of money just so they could get their hands on Ciao.com, which is essentially one of a thousand sites set up to drive web traffic to other peoples sites…in this case retailers, but why did Microsoft require, what amounts to a billboard on the side of a concrete wall, in order to make their brand more visible? I already know who Microsoft is…in news and media this is just another tiny mark on their earnings board.

The Less is More Philosophy at Large

Microsoft over the years has relied on quantity over quality in regards to their brand. More is better has always been their slogan. It’s a Bill Gates/Steve Ballmer tradition that has worked well for them, but with other companies entering the marketplace, such as Google, Apple, Firefox, and Blackberry; each with better brand identities and a more focused business plan, Microsoft is failing to compete.

The Perfect Example of the Microsoft Strategy…think of this as being applied whole company.

The other day I watched a news program on CNET or CNN, I can’t remember which, advertising the newest version of the Windows Mobile platform. The guy from Microsoft that introduced the product seemed uncomfortable, and honestly the interviewer wasn’t giving him much of a chance to speak, so I really can’t blame him. However, the whole interview just demonstrates the lack of esteem that Microsoft products are held in these days.

In the world of cell phones for example, the products Microsoft presents lack the luster of products such as the Blackberry with it’s proprietary OS, or Apple, with it’s scaled down version of OS X. In the Blackberry, we have a product that is ergonomic and sensible, something that makes people want to pick it up and play with it. In the IPhone, we have something that has a little flair, but is still practical enough to use from the very first moment you pick it up. What I would compare Microsoft’s products too, and honestly their marketing in general, is that hunch back with the lazy eye from Young Frankenstein; you just keep looking at it, but that eye never goes away.

Most of their products are a little ugly. A little too techie maybe. Not organic enough. Not intuitive enough. Just something isn’t right about them. It just screams, stay away from me, I don’t want you. If I saw one on the counter next to one of the other two phones, I dare say it would probably scream at me if I picked it up.

Thinking back to the monopoly lawsuits Microsoft has gone through over the years, their branching across categories and industries, strong arm tactics, guerrilla warfare tactics and the like, their products mirror their corporate philosophy. In fact, it was the simple act of Bill Gates quitting as CEO and moving into a philanthropic organization that really gave Microsoft any sympathy in the media. Let’s face it, Bill Gates is the founder, and the face of Microsoft, and what he does dictates how the company is perceived.

The Current Face Of Microsoft

Microsoft is pretty well cemented in the workplace with products such as Windows Vista and their Office line. Their real world media empire is fairly secure as well. Companies such as Bloomberg help add to this content, but the company as a whole has an image issue, and all the synergy in the world won’t change that unless the leadership at the top takes the necessary steps to kick this company into gear.

Their brand has to change with the times, and become something that people want, not just require. Microsoft has the resources to do it, but it’s going to take a lot of blood sweat and tears to change a company culture that has long been mired in making the market come to them instead of making products for the market. It’s about time they recognized that competition is good for them…it promotes innovation…and they need some.

Windows Kicks off New Advertising Campaign with Star Power

Microsoft Tries to Reclaim Windows Image

In the whole scope of things, the idea of making a third Ghostbusters movie is pretty much a small deal, but this movie was so much fun as a kid, that I had to put in my two bits after reading an article about Columbia trying to put one together.

If you happen to know Bill Murray, pass along a congratulations to him for his Golden Globe and Oscar Nomination…then tell him to make another Ghostbusters movie.

Columbia Scaring Up Ghostbusters Revival

I’ve been really big into concept pieces lately, so while looking through the list of Oscar contenders this year, I stumbled across a film that caught my attention: Across the Universe. The film, uses pop songs and idealogy of the seventies to create a musical story of the awakening of a group of college students to the realities of their world: war, social injustice and the like. While I have yet to see the film…and trust me I want to…the trailer in and of itself is a work of art.

A friend of mine found this on the internet:

Recursion Shot First

This is probably the most ironic link I’ve been sent all week…and for the record, Han did shoot first:)

I’m sure quite a few of you have seen this by now, but it’s been sitting in my que of cool things and I figure nows as good a time as any to put it up.

There’s a whole bunch of how it should have ended movies linked from their home site, Howitshouldhaveended.com, as well as a lot of other cool stuff. Check it out if you get the chance.

As for Star Wars…here’s how it should have ended…

This is the best Will Farrell movie I’ve ever seen!

The Landlord

I enjoyed this text based version a scene from Pulp Fiction. It sometimes amazes me what can be expressed with just words and formatting.

Pulp Fiction in typography

I’d always wanted to see this short by Tim Burton, but some how I’d never gotten around to it. I’m guessing that next to Edward Scissorhands, this is probably the most personal film that Burton has ever made. The irony of the morose boy trapped in a world of normality has become a major theme in Burtons work, and the film itself leaves you with the idea that you’ve just witnessed Burton’s childhood. It’s pretty cool.

I’ve also heard there’s a 3D version coming out with the release of the new Nightmare Before Christmas 3D film. I’ll have to check it out.

Though this isn’t as cool as the first trailer for Seinfelds Bee Movie, it’s still pretty fun.

I never really appreciated Seinfield’s sense of humor until I started seeing him do projects other than Seinfeld. When you’re doing a television show, it isn’t always easy to tell when the actors are being shielded from failure by the other people in the production. When something clicks, and strikes a coord in people, it often succeeds despite itself…God knows why…but it really isn’t until you see the breadth of someones work that you can really stand back and say, “Man, that was really really cool!”

Here’s to you Jerry! Keep it coming!

Take a look.

In the year 1976, a man named George Lucas had a dream; a dream to make the greatest sci-fi epic ever imagined. To realize this vision, he started a trek across the burning white sands of the North African desert with cast and crew in tow. In the middle of the Saharah he built an oaisis, and from it grew the seeds of what would become an empire.

Now, thirty years later, one man dares to follow in Lucas’ footsteps. This is a telling of his exploits…read them if you dare!

And I don’t know about you guys, but on my next vacation I’m going to Tunisia.