I guess the economy isn't doing that poorly ....

With the current state of our economy, I found consumer research from the Leitchman Group stating that more than 1/3 of American homes now have HDTVs to be rather surprising.  Yes, we are closely approaching the DTV transition, but I would have guessed a large bulk of new HDTV purchases would have been closer to the holidays.  I would have also predicted a second smaller surge directly before the Super Bowl and transition in February.  22% of all American households bought new HDTVs within the past 12 months with 43% of those households spending over $1,000.00.  (I guess I am breathing a sigh of relief that I only fall in the first category of consumers.)

I have found the coupon program for converter boxes to be rather interesting.  Most people don't really understand why they need a coupon or who needs a coupon.  Additionally, most of the cards that were distributed were not used by their expiration date.  I have constantly harped on about how there is not enough information diffused to consumers about the DTV transition.  On February 17th, I believe a lot of people will turn on their TVs and be very confused.

But this applies only to those watching broadcast television.  I sort of just assumed that people with HDTVs would understand the transition and the technology better.  Apparently not.  18% of people with HDTVs think they are watching HD programming, but are not.  Clearly ongoing education about digital television and HD programming needs to transpire.  But maybe Americans also need to do their research.

Sarah Palin's wardrobe

At the gym this morning I watched a news segment on the RNC (based on info from Politco) spending $150,000 on outfitting Sarah Palin, which initially does seem to be a ridiculous number.  Upon further consideration, I really don't think 150k is that ridiculous for clothing, make-up, and hair styling (I mean the woman has to wear at least one new outfit every day).  While I don't think the RNC's spending is that outlandish, I do think it's going to hurt Palin.  The economy is doing so poorly, people are going to automatically think why are we listening to fights over tax cuts, when this woman is spending $150,000 on expensive clothing?

There have been other pieces about how expensive Cindy McCain's clothing (and more so her jewelry is).  But the RNC isn't funding her attire.  See:

• Vanity Fair
• Or Huffington Post on the cost of John McCain's shoes

I think the underlying issue here is the fact that people generally don't discuss what a male politician is wearing unless it's outlandish (and I do not think John McCain's shoes were by any means ridiculous ... Ferragamos last forever!).  We had to hear about Hillary's cleavage and even after she pulled out of the race their was an ode to her pantsuits.  We also hear all about the blue outfits wives of politicians wear during press conferences regarding their husbands' scandals.  But we have never heard so much about the appearance of a woman in politics until Sarah Palin was added to the McCain ticket.

The Debate

Did anyone else notice that Obama called McCain Tom and Jim on two separate occasions?  Yes, he corrected himself, but it's not that hard to remember your opponent's name.  And yes, the moderator's name was Jim, but .... I just can't believe he goofed twice.  Also, why does the media not care about these glaring errors?  If the situation had been reversed, bloggers would have been all over it, calling McCain senile and unfit to be President.

Also, due to my Ukrainian boyfriend, I have been educated that the country is simply "Ukraine" not "the Ukraine."  And it seems rather offensive to call the country "the Ukraine."  In that vein, Obama did call the country "the Ukraine." But I think any offense will be dismissed as Ukraine did get a lot of coverage in the debate.

They Do Exist!

So I received responses back from everyone I emailed at Microsoft!  All of their out of the office replies said I will try to get back to you but I can't make any promises because I am busy here working at Microsoft.  Of course the responses are from representatives, but I think it's impressive Microsoft has people sending responses within 24 hours of my initial email.  Here are the responses listed in order I received them.

Response from Sean:

Hello Carissa,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service.

It is always great to hear this feedback from our customers and glad that you like the commercials. I have forwarded your comments/feedback to the appropriate department.

 

Carissa, if you have any other feedback or questions please feel free to contact us.

 

Thank you,

 

Bhagesh

Microsoft Customer Service Representative

Response from Bill:

Hello Carissa,

 

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service.

 

It is always great to hear this feedback from our customers and glad that you like the commercials. I have forwarded your comments/feedback to the appropriate department.

 

Carissa, if you have any other feedback or questions please feel free to contact us.

 

Thank you,

 

Bhagesh on behalf of Bill

Microsoft Customer Service Representative

Response from Feng:

Hello Carissa,

 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to provide feedback on our new commercial. I am glad that you liked it.

 

Thank you,

 

Affan on behalf of Feng Zhoa

Microsoft Customer Service Representative

Response from Uche:

Hello Carissa,

 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to provide feedback on our new commercial. I am glad that you liked it.

 

Thank you,

Affan on behalf of Uche Enuha

Microsoft Customer Service Representative

Sort of hysterical that I received two responses from Bhagdesh and two from Affan.  And that each representative sent exactly the same the response irregardless of whom the initial recipient was.  But I still give them credit.

Google Maps Tackles the Election

Google maps has created a new feature called 2008 US Voter Info.  If you enter your home address, Google Maps will provide your polling location.  I tried my permanent address in California and received the message, "All polling location information will be available by mid-October.  Until then, please check with your state or local election officials to verify your voting location."

I then tried my address in DC and was pleased to see the data was available.  The map has a pointer to show my home address and another pointer to show my poling location.  There is a cute vote button next to my address (see above) and also the option to get directions.

On the left hand side (where Google Maps normally displays their directions), there is a list of registration information.  This includes the state, number of dates left to register, and the date by which my registration must be postmarked.

It's a good idea, but if there are errors ... well that would be pretty bad.  I mean if I print directions to get to the mall and I get lost, not really a serious problem.  But if I get lost going to vote on my way to work, I would be significantly more unhappy with Google.

Baskin Robbins turns political?

I used to go to Baskin Robbins all time with my dad after school and it was such a treat (minus the fact that I called it Baskin Robbins-son-son and didn't realize I was wrong until I was like 12.)  I probably hadn't been to a Baskin Robbins in, oh, I would say 10 years.  But last night I stopped by the one in Woodley Park with my boyfriend.

The first thing I noticed (apart from the ridiculously long line): the partisan ice cream flavors.  On the Republican side they have Straight Talk Crunch.  Sort of cute.  Sort of annoying.  And for the Dems we have Whirl of Change.  Descriptions of the ice cream are on the Baskin-Robbins website.

I think it's a little creepy that Baskin Robbins is making election themed ice cream flavors.  But they do recommend you try a pink spoon of each before deciding which one you prefer.  I think I'll hold off on having a bite of McCain and Obama, but thanks anyway Baskin Robbins.

Life Without Walls emails

So I went a bit crazy and emailed all the email addresses listed on the new Microsoft Life Without Wall ad campaign.

Here is my response from Bill Gates:

Thanks for checking in. I hope you're beginning to get an appreciation

of the broad scope of human beings that take pride in using and being

called a "PC".

 

Yes, this is one of those auto-response emails.

Nothing impersonal. It's just a tribute to the fact that so, so many of

you have taken the opportunity to look deeper.

 

I can't promise to answer every question or respond to every comment.

But, I (with a lot of help from the team here) will do my best.

In the meantime, feel free to join in to tell your own story at

windows.com.

 

And please keep watching and connecting the dots in the campaign.

We're all getting a real kick out of it.

 

Sincerely,

BILL

It is interesting that Bill signs his name "BILL" and also interesting that each email utilizes a different font.  Here is the out of office response from Feng Zhao:

Hi. My name is Feng and I am an SDE, which stands for Software Development Engineer.  In layman’s terms – a code monkey. Not a great name, I know, but I think I’m a pretty good balance of geeky and girly (maybe a little bit more on the geeky side). I love hanging out with my friends, watching TV, and shopping online. And I spoil my dog (Lucky) to death.

In case you’re wondering, yes, this is an auto-response email. I am really writing it, just ahead of time. I can’t get to every email I have received. Although, I am trying. So keep checking your inbox. Mainly, I am working on the next release of Windows. There is a brand new feature that will help people organize their data much more easily. Can’t say much more than that :-P

Thanks for the email. And yes, being on TV is cool.

-Feng

I have to say I wonder if she is actually going to respond to emails.  Mine was short and not interesting, so I doubt she will respond to mine. An interesting concept though.  And here is the email from Uche Agegbite (although her email address indicates her name is Uche Enhuha):

Hello-

I am Uche Adegbite, an Engineer and a Scientist that believes in the Vision and work done at Microsoft. Seriously I am a hard working person who has been given the opportunity to realize my passion which is to make a difference in people's lives.
 
I work to connect people. I work to enable people to get their tasks done and realize their passions. I create opportunities for people to have fun in ways they never thought possible.
I am now working on providing more entertainment services to people through multiple platforms for instance the web, the phone and the Xbox.

But I have to say something. You wrote to me, so I think you must want to know what I really think. So, here it is:
 
Windows Vista ROCKs. It is Microsoft’s safest, most reliable and flexible OS out there. I have loads of devices I can choose from when using Windows Vista. I don't know about you but I like having choices and not being confined to one thing. I am all about Life Without Walls...
 
I want you guys to know I am not an actor, I have no need to lie and in fact I don't have time to take off work to go off making videos etc. The reason I am doing this is because I believe in people knowing the true facts. Once you really know what Windows Vista is about, then you can make an informed decision. My job here is to bring the goodness of Windows Vista, the goodness that I had a part in creating to you. 
 
This is an auto-response email. Written by yours truly,

Uche Adegbite

After reading Uche's response, I have to say I wonder if these people (aka the Microsoft employees are being paid for their participation.  Finally here is the response from Sean, which is definitely saving the best for last:

Hello! I’m a PC – and I can’t answer your email right now. I’d like to say that I’m out climbing Mt. Rainier or biking across Europe with the Swedish Beach Volleyball Team, but in fact I’m probably just chained to a desk somewhere in the depths of Redmond pounding out product specifications.

 

Now that I have been in a commercial, Microsoft has given me access to super-secret “BillyG” level of executive resources.  That’s right – I have my own email auto-responder!

 

This, as you have probably surmised, is my pre-prepared auto-response (All natural, no filler. No animals were harmed in the making of this response. Except for a ferret.) I really would like to have answered you myself, but if I did, (a) I’d probably get no work done, and (b) then I’d get fired, and (c) then I’d have no chance of doing any more of those really awesome commercials.

 

So let me try to prognosticate a few of your questions and answer a few of them.

 

Why did they put you on TV?

I think it’s my devastating good-looks and animal magnetism.  No, really – there’s a ferret stuck to my leg right now.

 

But really – you aren’t even an actor!

No I’m not.  But I play one on TV.  I really am a Microsoft Program Manager.  I work on IPv6, and other things that you haven’t heard of.

 

How did you get selected?

I auditioned along with a couple of hundred others.  I guess I looked very Engineery. And the ferret probably helped.

 

Are you interested in more acting?

Oh no, I think that Engineering is MUCH more fun.

 

What’s with Windows Vista?

You’ve been watching those commercials again, haven’t you? Windows Vista rocks. Listen to real users, not actors.

 

-The Real PC, Sean Siler

Clearly Sean Siler is hysterical.  Love the whole bit about the ferret.  And he gives people some perspective that actual Microsoft employees auditioned to be in the commercials.

All in all, I have to say I am impressed with this ad campaign.