Steve Ballmer Directing "House Party 7"

theodp writes "What are you doing on Oct. 22? Microsoft is putting a Tupperware-style twist on the upcoming Windows 7 rollout, launching a new initiative to encourage thousands of employees, partners and technology enthusiasts to throw parties in their homes and communities to demonstrate and help spread the word about its new OS. People accepted as official launch party hosts will get their own copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, and a chance to win a computer. Host spaces are very limited, so apply now, kids. Hey, what could possibly go wrong?"

Comments

They still don't get it

[roc97007]

Geeze, it's an OPERATING SYSTEM. A minor update on Vista. What does he think he's selling?

I'm using the beta, (which is working rather well -- imagine my surprise) and it occurs to me that I'm being asked to pay $200 to $300 (depending on version) for what is essentially an improved TCP stack and a new bunch of drivers. Throw a party? I don't see why they even designed a new box.

Pirate Party

[natehoy]

You know, it just occurred to me. Since so many LAN parties turn into Pirate Fests (dude!! you've got the latest (insert_game_or_movie_name_here), I suspect Microsoft is.. well... late to the party on this one.

I'm sure there is, at this very moment, a solid handful of LAN parties where cracked Windows 7 installs are happening.

And I'm sure the host of THOSE parties is receiving a full copy of Windows 7 Ultimate. OK, "full" except the install disc, and artwork, and a shiny hologram logo, and DRM...

Still, kudos to Microsoft for being inventive in their marketing.

Re:don't look down

[TheWanderingHermit]

He'll be the chairman, correct?

Nah, they're throwing parties, not chairs.

I wonder, though. When I first read this, and the "grass roots" (okay, astroturf) focus, my first thought was, "They must be REALLY desperate to make this one work." It just smacks of fear of it not selling unless they can convince people to buy it and get a buzz going.

Re:Getting in

[DoofusOfDeath]

[Relax, it's just a joke. Linux is my main OS.]

This is like making a racist joke and then saying "Relax, I am of the same race..." and expecting that being of the same genre that you mocked makes it okay. Its amazing how that works.

And yet it does work, if you go by people's reactions. I didn't design humans, I just work with what's given to me.

Re:Pass

[qubezz]

I'll upgrade/downgrade when they have a version without the ridiculous dumbing down of the 'launch' menu and the windows explorer with no opt-out. I tried it and it is impossible, it takes a whole bunch more clicks on non-obvious buttons to get anywhere, and when you just want to see drives and directories, they have idiot icons. Every version of Windows since 95 has had more 'idiot' features to turn off. Even making XP useable is to turn off themes, classic start menu, classic folder view, unhide system folders and put it on detalied view, turn off simple file sharing, security center, firewall, redonkulous services for idiots (uPNP, system restore, firewall service, zero config wireless, web publishing, etc). Install tweakUI and disable animated doggy idiot search, change the IE cache to something less than 100gb, etc.Then the real hacking starts, turn off the 'zip for dummies', image shell extensions, etc. Then after several update reboot cycles, remove the crapware they install in Firefox without your consent. Vista took this to extremes with it's idiot's control panel and useless UI control - and with it's nanny need for signed drivers thanks to DRM, it is Windows ME for the 2000's. Just like Vista, you'll be buying it whether you like it or not though. So many paid-for Vista's have been immediately wiped, it's near criminal to have a monopoly forced it onto computers in the first place.

Now they truly have made an OS for idiots, that only idiots can use.

Re:Hmm, an echo of the zune release?

[bigman2003]

I applied too.

I have people over for BBQs, dinners, Rock Band, etc. anyway. If they want to give me Windows 7, and want me to have a computer sitting out at a party- then no problem. Yes, I will even use the decorations they send me- why not?

This actually isn't a bad way to get people to see Windows 7. Heck, I even signed up for the Betty Crocker cookie party while I was at it. (Waitlist only) Sounds like fun to me.

That's the point. The whole thing sounds like fun. So I tell my friends; "Hey, this is the geekiest thing ever...but come over for a Windows 7 party. I'll be cooking and we'll have margaritas." Microsoft gets a little more exposure, I get Windows 7, my friends get some food and drink. We all win.

Re:There is a lot new in Windows 7

[0100010001010011]

So what Apple is charging $29.99 for in Snow Leopard (and people still complain it's a "Service Pack"), Windows users get to pay full price?

Re:Party permits

[Anonymous Coward]

Anyone who would live anywhere with a "neighborhood association" deserves what he gets.

Isn't this the way....

[Ancient_Hacker]

Isn't this the way the Roman Empire fell? Lots of partying while the barbarians were pounding on the gates. Gates?

Re:Hmm, an echo of the zune release?

[bigman2003]

You mean the one I have been using for a year now?

Works great!

Re:You have to be pretty nerdy

[timeOday]

Something weird happened - after 15 years of OS twiddling, I got sick of it and decided life is too short. My limited time is better spent playing with my kids or studying science or backpacking, not peculiarities of the latest minor revision of some software package. But unfortunately I am still addicted to the power and control of highly configurable software :/

The Catch

[mattOzan]

Here's what you must sign away in order to apply to be a party host:

In consideration of House Party, Inc. ("HPI") allowing me to host and/or attend a House Party Event on or about October 22 - 29th related to Microsoft ("Company"), including, without limitation, participating in "House Party Event" activities, such as product demonstrations and sampling, and educational and informational activities (collectively, the "Activities"), I hereby agree as follows:

I am eighteen (18) years of age or older. I agree that as consideration for being permitted to host and/or participate in any of the Activities, I, on behalf of myself and my children and minors for whom I am a legal guardian, hereby grant HPI and its designees (including, without limitation, Company and its designees) and their respective affiliates, licensees, permitees, successors and assigns, and each of them, an unrestricted, absolute, universal, perpetual, irrevocable, non-royalty bearing, and transferable right and license (but not any obligation) to use, copy, transmit, distribute, display, modify, perform, present, publish, transform, create works and derivative works, and otherwise promote or utilize my name, image, likeness, voice, words and/or other personal attribute(s) or other personal information, and those of my children and minors for whom I am a legal guardian (collectively, âoePersonal Attributesâ), captured, photographed or otherwise recorded or memorialized in any manner by myself or any other person in connection with any of the Activities, in any medium or format whether now or hereafter existing (including, without limitation, print, direct mail, online, mobile or wireless communications, radio or television broadcast, telecast or photograph), for any purpose whatsoever (including, without limitation, in connection with the creation, advertising, sale and/or promotion of any products and/or services), and without any consideration or notice to or consent by me or any third party. I, on behalf of myself and my children and minors for whom I am a legal guardian, hereby forever and irrevocably waive any rights any of us may have in or to any of the foregoing, and I understand and agree that HPI and its designees (including, without limitation, Company and its designees) are the exclusive owners (to the extent the materials are created by or at the direction of each such party) of any and all right, title and interest, including copyright, in and to any materials of any kind or nature containing or developed from use of our respective Personal Attributes. Without limiting the foregoing, I understand and agree that such materials may be used in whole or in part, individually or in conjunction with other photographs or images, and neither I, my children nor minors for whom I am a legal guardian shall have any right of approval or notice, any claim to any compensation, or any claim arising out of the use, alteration, distortion or illusionary effect or use in any composite form of any of our respective Personal Attributes. I understand that the information I have given to HPI online (including, without limitation, in connection with the host and/or guest registration and RSVP process) may be used to provide me with additional information about Company. I also agree that House Party may use and share my personal information as described in the House Party Privacy policy located at http://houseparty.com/help/privacy.

I, on behalf of myself, my children and minors for whom I am a legal guardian, and anyone who obtains any rights from or through any of us, hereby forever and irrevocably release and discharge HPI and Company; their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, members, managers, agents, licensees, designees, insurers, personal and legal representatives, successors and assigns; House Party Event hosts; other participants in the Activities; and any director, officer, employee or agent of any of the foregoing (each considered one of the

Re:House parties for a hated company?

[socsoc]

I'm with you, I'm already using it and recommending it. Since most my friends call me for tech support anyway, they'd show up at a BYOB party to hear me point out some things that they'll want to know on the OS that they're gonna end up getting with new machines anyway. I'll bring the pizza and show you some reasons why 7 doesn't blow like Vista did and we'll all get drunk.