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Microsoft's "Source Fource" Action Figures
RCanine writes "Microsoft is attempting to curry mind share with the 3-12 age bracket with their new event, the Source Fource, a series of developer-based action figures. Windows Vista Sensei, SQL Server Gal and some lame gender stereotypes presumably seek to rid the world of bearded, katana-wielding evil-doers. From the article: 'Between March 15th and April 15th 2007, the new super dudette will be offered and will be sent to developers who get their act together and attend at least two live MSDN Webcasts or two MSDN Virtual Labs, or one of each.'" I just can't figure out what to make of this, except that I hope someone can tell me if it blends. Or melts. Or burns.
I work at Microsoft. How come I knew this first from /.?</irony>
Let the "you must be new here" comments begin.
Onda Technology Institute
Maybe it's because I'm in my fifties but this seems incomprehensible - but then so does my teenage son's taste in music so maybe I'm just old.
init 11 - for when you need that edge.
This has been done and done well. Why the cheap knockoff?
I get that they're toys, and toys are traditionally for kids, and that it's fun to make fun of/hate on Microsoft, and that Microsoft is obviously trying to get people hooked early (did I cover all the bases?).. but these action figures are more collectibles than toys to be played with. This stuff isn't really for kids, it's for your OCD-afflicted nerd that has (hopefully) outgrown Pokemon.
It looks like Microsoft has been on a marketing rampage of trying to confuse various community project names with its own garbage.
Office Open XML (similar to OpenOffice.org?)
Source Force (SourceForge, anyone?)
Seriously, it's like they're trying to give all these great projects a bad name in the eyes of the ignorant masses who will make the subliminal association in their heads. When all they have is marketing left trying to revive the sinking ship, every problem can be made to look like a marketing one.
that I regret there's no photoshop contests on Slashdot.
Visual Studio Guy is the Green Lantern, MSDN Webcast Guy is Superman, Virtual Labs Guy is The Flash. I don't see credit on there anywhere, and this is definitely a marketing thing (not a parody).
I think MSDN Webcast Guy's tagline says it best, "His parents weren't very creative."
The Right Reverend K. Reid Wightman,
Breaking News:
MS Bob and Clippy to sue Microsoft for unfair dismissal and patent infringement claiming "virtual" prior art.
I am actually crying.. I mean reading MS's superhero page actually brought tears to my eyes.
I think I have lost the will to live.
That HAS to be the most depressing and pathetic thing I have seen in years.
Maybe the big bad penguin TUX will be the evil genius that is trying to lure potential windows developers away, and the new "superheroes" will rally to their aid.
Its not even 1700 and after reading that I need a drink..
Source Fource? Sounds suspiciously similar to Source Forge... Could MS be poking fun at the OSS community , could the lame-ness is sarcastic and intentional ?
Essentia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem.
Ok, doesn't this come under the same laws that prohibit tobacco companies from using cartoon characters in their advertising?
I mean really, this is lame. I think it's a sure sign that someone's train has come off the track over at MS.
Can Source Forge perhaps sue Microsoft for infringing on the trademark Sourceforge? (it's at least a closer approximation than Mike Row Soft)
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I like how they're the "Fource" because there's seven of them.
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
Wow. My knick-nack shelf just bluescreened.
The only thing left standing is my stuffed Tux.
Huh?