The Mojave Experiment has received a fair bit of attention in the last week or so. Some think it’s great, others deceptive. One comment I found interesting was Mary-Jo’s thought that if Apple had done this type of marketing they’d be getting applauded. Maybe. (As an aside, Adrian has a nice little discussion of whether the Mojave results are even valid.)
Having pondered it a bit over the last few days, here’s my thoughts:
- Perception IS reality – no matter what the truth really is, people will always believe what they think the truth is. So, from that point of view the experiment is a useful reminder
- Deception sucks – but some background… as a child (about 8 or 9 I think) I had a really humiliating experience where I was duped by some ‘friends’. It was a joke sure, and I can see the funny side now, but it has stuck with me. That’s one of the reasons I don’t like practical jokes – they have an awful childhood association to them. So, when I first heard about the Mojave Experiment (at SBTUG actually – yet another reason to attend user groups) I thought ‘cool, nicely done’. But by later that night, after reading further, I was thinking ‘nup, I don’t like it’.
This particular marketing ploy may work well for Microsoft, but for me it is a sign they are changing their approach – and I’m not comfortable with it.
(btw I’m assuming it is pronounced: mo-har-vee (as in the Mojave Desert) and not: moe-jave as I’ve heard some refer to it)
Technorati Tags: Mojave Experiment
One thing I think you should look at is how the Mojave test was done as a "taste test" – "what do you think of this?" – this wasn’t done a month after they had used it, it was simply done based on their "first look".
Guess what? I’m sure the Ford Edsel was thought of as a hit when people first saw it. But it bombed. The concept and theoretical guidelines behind MS Bob were solid – but it made people feel dumbed down.
You’re right – perception is reality – and Vista does have some good things going for it – but the war for the desktop has changed. It is no longer about "Windows vs Mac" or "price vs. quality/image". Macs are cheaper than ever before and because of iPod, iPhone, etc, they are more acceptable. So the question is:
"Who delivers the better user experience? (month after month, not just in one sit-down)"
From the recent tweets from Rick Strahl on Twitter about the 2008 Server interface – http://twitter.com/RickStrahl/statuses/875302187 – MS still needs to get better at delivering and showing their best User Interface face. (Sphere and Surface show some great promise… let’s deliver on it!)
One thing I think you should look at is how the Mojave test was done as a "taste test" – "what do you think of this?" – this wasn’t done a month after they had used it, it was simply done based on their "first look".
Guess what? I’m sure the Ford Edsel was thought of as a hit when people first saw it. But it bombed. The concept and theoretical guidelines behind MS Bob were solid – but it made people feel dumbed down.
You’re right – perception is reality – and Vista does have some good things going for it – but the war for the desktop has changed. It is no longer about "Windows vs Mac" or "price vs. quality/image". Macs are cheaper than ever before and because of iPod, iPhone, etc, they are more acceptable. So the question is:
"Who delivers the better user experience? (month after month, not just in one sit-down)"
From the recent tweets from Rick Strahl on Twitter about the 2008 Server interface – http://twitter.com/RickStrahl/statuses/875302187 – MS still needs to get better at delivering and showing their best User Interface face. (Sphere and Surface show some great promise… let’s deliver on it!)