Unfortunately, Legal

My new Microsoft brand keyboard comes with a 60 page booklet. The entire booklet has been created to protect Microsoft from lawsuits in the event the keyboard malfunctions.

The keyboard cost $14.99 (+ 40¢ government electronics recycling fee).

The booklet, complete with "Terms and Conditions" doesn't explain the features of the keyboard, but I guess they're self-explanatory.

Working with some of the world's largest and most successful toy companies, we always had to concern ourselves with the ramifications of product malfunctions. Instead of creating a 60 page manual for a simple product, though, we tended to focus on making products that were genuinely safe and worked properly.

Just saying.

Marketing Monday: Microsoft Recreates Online Scam

Just came across this very clever video from Microsoft, where they show how easily some people can share their personal information online, created a fake bank in the Manhattan area that worked just like any other online phishing scam.

Unsuspecting customers handed over their credit card numbers, SSNs, ATM Pin numbers and even their hair samples for DNA tests to the “fake” bank authorities.

Microsoft followed up with with another scam, an “inheritance store” that works like those Nigerian email promising millions of dollars in inheritance.

Their points about online security are compelling, and they try to tie it all to Internet Explorer 8. While Microsoft's story is strong and entertaining, the connection to IE8 eludes me. Still, it's fun to watch.