14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft today is unveiling key features of its much-anticipated Windows 10 operating system. And it wants visitors of Windows.com to take a survey. During the showcase.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m witnessing the launch of an all-new something, the last thing on my mind is to give opinions about my web browsing habits. Yet, Microsoft is having a hard time wrapping its head around this idea.
“Visit windows.com for details”
In announcing that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade (for the first year?), Microsoft tells customers to “visit windows.com for details.” Enticed by the BSOD-themed invitation (picture #2 in the gallery below), I took the plunge. Seconds later, Microsoft was demanding things from me before the page had fully loaded. It felt like I was on one of those clickbait sites.
Windows.com kept asking me to:
1. “answer a few quick questions;” 2. give it feedback so that Microsoft could improve the site; 3. let the company see which pages I’m visiting during my stay at Windows.com; 4. and last, but not least, like them on Facebook and spread the word on Twitter.
I could be biased, but shouldn't common sense apply at least to the big players? Which Microsoft appears to lack. You don’t just send your users over to Windows.com to take surveys and engage in Facebook herding in the middle of the Windows 10 feature demo, is all I’m saying.
By comparison, Apple always knows to clear up its act before a showcase. The third image in the gallery depicts Apple.com before, as well as during a keynote address. I don’t want to step on anyone’s beliefs here, but it’s pretty obvious who takes their 15 minutes seriously and who doesn’t.
