The ‘Mojave’ Experiment
Most of us don’t care what operating system (OS) our business PC uses, as long as it works. Fair?
Windows Vista (The OS Successor to Windows XP) doesn’t do what it says on the tin and Microsoft have taken some flack about it. You probably know this already.
So, what did they do?
They set up an experiment disguising Windows Vista as a ‘new’ operating system codenamed Mojave. 140 volunteers then tested the ‘new’ OS and rated particular functions out of 10.
Vista scored 4.4 and Mojave scored 8.5
Why did Vista scored so poorly?
This approach reminds of campaigns like
(Early 80′s marketing campaign if you remember that far back?). It was a simple taste test where more people were found to prefer Pepsi to Coke (Coke was by far the biggest selling brand). Coke execs panicked and rushed to deliver the new and improved Coke which subsequently flopped massively.
If there were 2 cans of soft drink on a table, one sweeter than the other, you would probably prefer a sip of the sweeter one but a whole can would probably make you sick. The Pepsi Challenge offered just a sip. The Coke execs fell hook line and fizzy plunger BUT if they had simply conducted proper scientific tests they would have seen that can for can, more people prefer the slightly harsher taste of Coke.
It’s not a perfect analogy granted but Microsoft have certainly taken a marketing feather from the Pepsi cap and worn it with pride.
If I were to sit with a charismatic Microsoft dude (There are actually some good guys over there. My cousin is one) and be guided through marketing shpeel, with all the expectation of a shiny and new operating system, in a closed and controlled environment, I have no doubt I would proffer favourable results. “Can’t be worse than Vista, surely?”. Note: The experiment did not include using Vista in a ‘real money’ way, in businesses or homes. It was more of a demonstration.
I know Im a bit of a Microsoft basher which is not always fair as some products are great. Outlook for one. I also appreciate their challenging perception.
The bottom line is I can’t help wishing they had spent the time and effort making Vista quicker and more reliable rather than trying to sell us the sweet stuff.
When Mercedes cars were crap in the mid 90′s did you hear them trying to convince us they weren’t?
No, they simply made them better.
The very existence of such an experiment speaks volumes but why should you even care?
Well, which ever way you cut it, Microsoft operating systems are going to be around for some time to come and you will have to upgrade at some point. We are simply suggesting you do it armed with all the facts and at the right time. Some Vista tips and a review here.
Sleeping rough for charidee
On Friday October 3rd 2008 Eric, Brent, Jamie, Jean, Kaleem and myself are all sleeping rough in London for a fabulous kids charity called Action for Children.
We would like you to sponsor us!
http://www.justgiving.com/engineroom
We do appreciate that everyone is talking about money and with all the big banks going bust, you may be finding yourself a bit short!
However, there are a bunch of kids living rough on the street who are having a pretty miserable time and we have promised to help.
So…. please look under your mattresses or get your wallets/purses/money clips (Delete as applicable) out for a good cause.
http://www.justgiving.com/engineroom
Thanks in advance.
Dan and The Engine Room Boys
iPhone Battery Saving Top Tips
Lots of you are complaining about short battery life on the 1st and 2nd generation iPhones. Many saying theirs won’t last more than 6 hours.
The truth is they don’t have great battery life. The 1st gen (Silver back) is better as it is not 3G (which sucks the living juice out of the poor thing).
Obviously we all use ours in different ways. Personally I use mine as an iPod, alarm clock, phone, for weather and maps, with a moderate amount of surfing each day.
Mine is a 16GB 1st gen and I get just about a full day’s usage (14 hours or so) per charge on average.
A few top tips to make yours last longer (As it were):
1. Update to the latest firmware (2.2 at time of press)
2. Turn the screen brightness right down
3. Turn off all unnecessary wireless connectivity i.e. Bluetooth and WiFi
4. Keep it cool while charging (Heat kills the battery over time)
5. Turn off the iPod equalizer (Odd but true)
6. Only charge until full where possible. Extended charging will kill the battery
7. Use the autolock feature
Let us know how you get on….