Ready to 
Microsoft struggles to repair Vista's image
Robert Hallock
July 24, 2008 6:33 PM ET in Tech
Since Windows Vista’s January 2007 release, Microsoft has been fighting an uphill battle to repair its beleaguered reputation. Windows Vista has not been hailed as the revolutionary new operating system that they intended. Rather, it has been met with complaints, criticism and sluggish uptake in the ever-important business and enthusiasts sectors.
Despite strong sales on OEM boxes, Microsoft is suffering from depleted mindshare and a lack of consumer confidence. To remedy this, Microsoft has pulled off — with staggering speed — the “Mojave” program designed to bring back the faith. Microsoft has collected scads of unhappy Vista users in California and shown them a “New” operating system code-named Mojave. After a stunning 90% of the candidates stated that they liked what they saw, it was revealed that it was none other than Windows Vista powering their positive impressions.
This campaign comes at a crucial time in the longevity of the Vista operating system. Regardless of whatever technical merit it may or may not have, what people are saying and hearing is overwhelmingly negative. Microsoft hopes that the recordings of people’s experiences with the Mojave experiment will help bolster their image when the footage is aired in commercial format.
This ambitious plan chases the heels of various recent internal memos. Steve Ballmer recently wrote that, “In the weeks ahead, we’ll launch a campaign to address any lingering doubts our customers may have about Windows Vista.” “And later this year, you’ll see a more comprehensive effort to redefine the meaning and value of Windows for our customers.”
So as Vista stretches into its second year of life, no more popular with the loud and listened-to voices than it has been, it seems Microsoft is digging in to fight a massive uphill battle.
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