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Microsoft Switcher Ads: Part 2

burgburgburg writes "We all recall Microsoft's last attempt to emulate the Apple Switch ads. Well, it seems they're at it again. MacNN reports that Microsoft has sent out emails to those who have recently registered MS products, looking for candidates for their 'Sensible Solutions' campaign, which will 'highlight computer professionals that have recently converted from Apple Computer products to Microsoft based systems.' Do you qualify? You must be 'a US resident with a minimum of 3 years experience as a computer professional. You must have used an Apple Computer product and a Microsoft based system as part of your work'. So when does it just stop being the sincerest form of flattery and just become utter, pathetic laziness?"

22 of 623 comments (clear)

  1. Mac User by AyeFly · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have been using computers since the late 80's. In fact, in the beginning we used AppleIIs, for artwork etc... now that im 17 years older, I have switched to Photoshop on a WinXP platform.

    would that count O:-)

    --
    Sig- http://www.dreamhost.com/rewards.cgi?ayefly
  2. More requirements by yuckf00 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You must also have a picture on a photo library CD.

  3. When does it start being pathetic? by Senjutsu · · Score: 5, Funny

    Right about ... now.

  4. Hi, my name is Bob... by Sp00nMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    I recently switched to Windows XP, because my Mac Powerbook is broken. So while I wait for that to get fixed, I borrowed a PC from work. I can't wait to get my Mac back.. oh wait, was I not supposed to say that? Do I still get paid?!

  5. Ellen "MS" Feiss by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What Microsoft needs is an Ellen Feiss equivalent. How are they going to get her if they ask for 3 years experience as a computer professional?

    1. Re:Ellen "MS" Feiss by Admiral+Burrito · · Score: 5, Funny
      What Microsoft needs is an Ellen Feiss equivalent. How are they going to get her if they ask for 3 years experience as a computer professional?

      "I was using a Mac but, like, my friend's pirated copy of MS Office wouldn't load on it, 'cuz it was the Windows version. And I couldn't get ActiveDirectory to work.
      I'm Bob, an MCSE."

  6. Which is lamer... by SchnauzerGuy · · Score: 5, Funny
    • Microsoft, for seeking people who register Microsoft software for their "switcher" ads.
    • People who actually register Microsoft software.
  7. Sure... by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 5, Funny

    Depends how much MS will pay me.

    I've got a PC with XP sitting here, right next to my TiBook, 17" iMac, CRT iMac, G3 Powerbook, OS X Servers...

    I'm sensable, I use my PC for the same things my GameCube and PS2 are for...games.

  8. I'm a switcher... by NetDrain · · Score: 3, Funny

    So like, I had this Mac. But I started hanging with this "other" crowd, and they were all PC users, so like, I am too now. It's been good. But now I have leprosy. Is that supposed to come with WinXP? Is it a feature or something? My name's night, and I'm a bell-jingling diseased rodent. : D /my Karma has just committed suicide.

  9. Cynical Reply by LongJohnStewartMill · · Score: 5, Funny
    They'll probably get some confession like,
    "Well, I've been using a Macintosh Plus for about 17 years now, and I decided it was high time I got an upgrade. One meg of RAM can only take you so far..."
  10. Switcher's Story Grammar File by robbyjo · · Score: 4, Funny

    I found out that the switcher's story is recursively enumerable. Below is the grammar. Feel free to use this for your application essay.

    Hi, my name is <IDENTIFIER>. I am (a|an) <IDENTIFIER> [from <IDENTIFIER>].

    I used (Apple|Macintosh) version <FLOAT_LITERAL> for <INTEGER_LITERAL> (years|months) doing (documents | spreadsheets | databases | video editing | MP3 listening | surfing the net | <OTHER_FUN_JOBS>)+. It was all (fun | very nice | pleasant experience) at the beginning.

    But, later on I discovered that (it has only one mouse button | some software I bought wasn't supported | their hardwares are so expensive | <REASON_WHY_IT_SUCKS>)+. Since I was only (a yet another broke graduate students | an unemployed bum | a clueless luser | <REASON_WHY_I_SUCKS>)+, I found out that their solution is [completely | absolutely] unviable.

    (Enter | Here comes) Microsoft. They provide me (MS Office | MS Windows | <OTHER_MS_SOFTWARE>)+. It is really (a panacea | working like magic | <REASON_WHY_ITS_GREAT>)+. Now I can (surfing a lot faster | do my spreadsheet even better | <OTHER_PRAISES>)+. Even more, I can get added bonus, like (the great blue screen | DRM constricted media player | compulsory activation | <OTHER_STUFF>)+, which makes my computer eXPerience even better.

    Now that I switched. How about you?

    --

    --
    Error 500: Internal sig error
    1. Re:Switcher's Story Grammar File by Senjutsu · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, this language is recursively enumerable. But you probably meant to say regular. Recursively enumerable languages are the languages that are decidable by some Turing Machine - that includes a lot of languages. Regular languages are those that correspond to deterministic finite automata, or regexps. There are less of these. (Every regular language is also recursively enumerable, of course.)

      Foghorn Leghorn says: Listen to me, I say, listen to me, son. It's, I say, It's a joke. Laugh.

  11. Re:I actually met a reverse switcher today. by Stu+May · · Score: 5, Funny

    Trust me, if enough people report problems with the same site, Apple WILL figure out a way to fix it.

    Am I the only one envisioning Apple doing a cost-benefit analysis of a code fix vs. sending hired goons to visit the offending website's developers?

  12. Re:So since Apple's market share is now below 3%.. by punkmanandy · · Score: 5, Funny

    well, if you were under 18 when Windows ME came out, then, yes, Gates did rape you as a child.

  13. I made the switch. by mikeophile · · Score: 5, Funny
    I'm a computer tech for a large office.

    When we were using Apple computers, my job was in serious danger of being downsized. They were easy to use and almost never crashed.

    Fortunately, due to Microsoft license incentives, my company switched to PC's running Windows.

    What a relief! The stress I was suffering over job security is gone! In fact, I just got a fat raise because the bosses have seen how hard I've been working.

    Sure, I'm busier now, and I may not have the spare time to check Slashdot incessantly, but that's why they call it work, right?

  14. Re:This is pretty sad by Malcontent · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Their copying apple with a succesful campaign but coming too late to the party. "

    Don't you know the meaning of "innovation"? it means "we copy other peoples stuff and put our own name on it". MS has a right to "innovate" you know.

    --

    War is necrophilia.

  15. Re:I made the switch to Linux by xtremex · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm a computer tech for a large global enterprise.

    When we were using windows computers, my job was in serious danger of being downsized. They were easy to use and and everyone and their mother was an MCSE.

    Fortunately, due to Microsoft licenses, my company switched to PC's running Linux.
    What a relief! The stress I was suffering over job security is gone! In fact, I just got a fat raise because the bosses think that Linux is so difficult, yet I never work!

    I've learned needlepoint. And I knitted a blanket. Oh, I WISH these darn computers would CRASH already!!! I'm so bored!

    --
    If you're not a Liberal in your 20's, then you have no heart.If you're still a Liberal in your 30's you have no brain.
  16. erm, people register? by lingqi · · Score: 4, Funny
    those who have recently registered MS products

    seriously - I've been at the computer thing for a while now, I have not known a SINGLE person that registered their windows. I mean, heck man - does that email list have a whole 7 recipients?

    Of course, most of the replies otherwise would be like "I went from Apple to MS because I can pirate more software and play more games."

    though - sadly, there is a bunch of people who are forced to use mycrudsoft. When the IT dept tells some apple die-hards that they are getting PC laptops or nothing at all, because they want to have "one platform" - though the powerbooks would actually cost less (seriously), last longer on flights, and preserve their values better. Sigh... maybe MS can base their campain on that: Switch - because we make you.

    fuckers. (hmm... do I sound bitter?)

    --

    My life in the land of the rising sun.

  17. Dude, he's getting arrested. by User+956 · · Score: 4, Funny

    What Microsoft needs is an Ellen Feiss equivalent.

    They had one, but he got arrested.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  18. Re:Maybe it just works by cHALiTO · · Score: 5, Funny

    OK, here's one:

    About a month ago I participated on a Microsoft contest here in Argentina to promote OfficeXP, in which one was supposed to download an .xls file and a .doc file, edit them (change font, add some numbers, stupid stuff like that) and upload them. I didn't get the first prize (a sony cybershot) but I won two 'microsoft officeXP' backpacks (I covered the logo, of course ;) which I must say, are really nice.

    The interesting part? the files I uploaded where edited with OpenOffice for Linux ;-)

    ahhh isn't irony just great?

    --
    "Luck is my middle name," said Rincewind, indistinctly. "Mind you, my first name is Bad." -- Terry Pratchett
  19. Bad analogy by Dr.+Evil · · Score: 4, Funny

    You sound like you know a lot about screwdrivers, can you help me? My screwdriver suddenly started stripping my screws. I don't understand. Did I violate my license agreement? Or did I screw in too many screws?

    I asked my nephew about this, he's good with screwdrivers, and he says that it's because I'm using a cheap screwdriver and it's not compatible with my Philips screws.

    I've been told that I should abandon Philips and use Torx screws in my doorframe. But Torx screws and screwdrivers aren't very common.

    Help?

  20. Now that is something I haven't seen before... by tjwhaynes · · Score: 4, Funny

    A web de-singer character.

    Someone who is going out of their way to remove singing from the web. Does he work for RIAA? :-)

    Cheers,

    Toby Haynes

    --
    Anything I post is strictly my own thoughts and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the opinions of IBM.