Q: What is the “Mojave Experiment?”

The Mojave Experiment is a focus group project Microsoft conducted recently to better understand the reactions of
customers to seeing Windows Vista - when they were not actually aware that it was Windows Vista. Microsoft
interviewed and polled 140* participants in San Francisco, testing users’ preference for and perceptions about
Windows Vista, under the pretence that it is a new operating system code-named “Windows Mojave.”
Duration: The focus group took place over three days in San Francisco during the month of July.
Subjects: Over 140 computer users (Mac, Linux, Windows XP and Windows 2000), chosen from the focus group
organizer’s database, called at random, but then selected based on having a low perception of Windows Vista
(<5 rating on a scale of 1-10).

Demo: A trained retail salesperson gave a ten-minute demo of key Windows Vista features, geared by the
interests and direction of the participant.

Hardware: Demoers used an HP Pavilion dv2000 Entertainment Notebook PC series with 2GB RAM, running an
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz. The OS was a 32 bit version of Windows Vista Ultimate.

We think the results are quite interesting. See below or, better yet, see them for yourself at
www.MojaveExperiment.com.

*Includes both 120 videotaped and 20 non-videotaped participants

“Mojave Experiment” Participant Responses:

1. Of the 140* respondents polled (on a scale of 1:10 where 10 was the highest rating):
Before they saw the demo, the average rating for Windows Vista was 4.4.
After they saw the demo, the average rating for the “new OS” code-named Windows “Mojave” was 8.5.

2. After seeing the “new OS” code-named Windows “Mojave” demo:
94% of respondents rated the “new OS” code-named Windows “Mojave” higher than they initially rated

Windows Vista before the demo.
0% of respondents rated the “new OS” code-named Windows “Mojave” lower than they initially rated

Windows Vista before the demo.

*Includes both 120 videotaped and 20 non-videotaped participants

Types of Computer Users participating in the “Mojave Experiment:”*

• ? 84% Windows XP Users
• ? 22% Apple OS Users
• ? 14% Pre-Windows XP Users
• ? 1% Linux Users

*Some users use multiple platforms

Q: Why only a 10-minute demo? Why not let users try on their own? Doesn’t the “downside” of the product reveal itself after days and weeks, not 10 minutes?

Actually, customers who own and use Windows Vista are very happy with the product. In a recent independent
survey conducted by Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, we discovered that 89%* of existing Windows Vista
users in the US say that they are satisfied with the product, and that 83%** of Windows Vista Users are likely to
recommend a Windows Vista-based computer to their friends or family who are looking to buy a new computer.

With the “Mojave Experiment,” on the other hand, we set out to challenge preconceptions about Windows Vista
with people who had only heard about it but never tried it. We wanted to challenge conventional wisdom about
product quality and value, and find out if, once users’ preconceptions were no longer a factor, how would they feel
about the look, feel and features of Windows Vista? The results surprised even us - 94% of respondents rated the
“new OS” code-named Windows “Mojave” higher than they rated Windows Vista before the demo. But again, you
should judge for yourself: www.mojaveexperiment.com

*Includes very (43%) and somewhat (46%) satisfied
**Includes very (46%) and somewhat (37%) likely

Q: How did you conduct the demo?

Focus group respondents (Mac, Linux, Windows XP and Windows 2000 users) were chosen from the focus group
organizer’s database, called at random, but then selected based on having a low perception of Windows Vista (<5
rating on a scale of 1-10). We brought respondents into a research facility, where a trained retail salesperson
provided a 10-minute demo of Windows Vista, under the pretense that it is a “new OS” code-named “Windows
Mojave.” The salespeople presented key Windows Vista features, geared by the interests and direction of the
participant.

Q: What PC was used?

Demoers used an HP Pavilion dv2000 Entertainment Notebook PC series with 2GB RAM and 120GB hard drive,

running an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz. The OS was a 32 bit version of Windows Vista Ultimate. We did not geek out, customize or provide any optimization of the system before the demo - we explicitly chose a typical PC that a customer would see at retail these days.

Q: Ok, but was there something special about the demo?

No, it’s the same type of demo someone would get if they walked into a retail outlet and talked to a salesperson about buying a Windows Vista PC. We didn’t add new applications or strip applications out, or do anything that would cause the experience in the Mojave focus group to vary from the experience of buying at retail.

Q: Was the focus group rigged? Were the installation, hardware, conditions or set of tasks “optimized”?

A: We didn’t do anything special with the PC or the software running on it - we didn’t add any new applications or

strip applications out. We didn’t optimize test conditions or make anything in the focus group unique to the standard experience of shopping for a new Windows Vista PC at retail. If you visited any US retail outlet, you’d find the
computer we used to be mid-range (in terms of price and capabilities) and the demo to be consistent with one you might get from an ordinary retail salesperson.

Q: Did Microsoft pay the participants?

A: Microsoft worked with an independent research firm to select the participants and conduct the Mojave

Experiment and followed standard industry practices which include paying each participant nominal fee for their time and effort.

Q: The Mojave Experiment involved 120 recorded participants, but the Web site only shows 55 people - what did the other 65 people think? Did Microsoft edit the videos to make the reaction in favor of Windows Vista?

A: We chose to display videos of people talking about different aspects of the features and functionality that were
interesting and not too repetitive. The videos you are seeing are a representative sample of the people we spoke
with. In fact, 94% of participants rated “Windows Mojave” higher than Windows Vista and none gave it lower
scores, indicating the consistency we got from the perception testing. Needless to say, there were a lot of consistent reactions across focus group participants and we felt that a representative sample would tell the “Mojave
Experiment” story best.

As part of the process, we also asked the focus group participants if they would be willing for us to share videos of them with you all. We did not get permission from all focus group participants and, therefore, are respecting their wishes by not using clips from their interviews.

The overall data from the testing is provided on the website:

? Average pre-demo score for Windows Vista was 4.4; average post demo score for the “new operating
system” codenamed Windows Mojave was 8.5

? 94% of participants rated the “new operating system” codenamed Windows Mojave higher than they
initially rated Windows Vista; no participants gave it a lower score than Windows Vista

Q: Now that the Mojave experiment has already been conducted and the results communicated publicly in

coverage and on the web, don’t you think you’ve lost the element of surprise? Or How can you continue to do these experiments when the element of surprise has been eliminated?

A: Despite the success of Vista already, there are still a lot of folks who haven’t yet gotten a chance to decide for themselves. Clearly, we think that just about anyone who hasn’t tried Vista yet will likely come away with a more positive view of Vista and therefore can decide for themselves if they like to switch fulltime to it. It will be a nice problem to have when we can’t find any more non-Vista users out there to supply our focus groups J

Q: Why didn’t you have people install Windows Vista on existing XP machines? Why didn’t you include any “power users” in the focus group?

A: We explicitly set out to survey traditional consumers who use computers and had heard about Windows Vista but had never actually seen it. Most power users have used Windows Vista, and virtually all have seen it. The fact is 99% of traditional consumers buy PCs at retail with operating systems pre-installed. Having users upgrade existing
machines wouldn’t be consistent with the experience of the vast majority of consumers.

Q: Why didn’t you let people take PCs home and use it for a few days? Isn’t it true Windows Vista reveals problems that users encounter over days and months, rather than 10 minutes?

A: We actually already know what people think when they take new PCs home and use for a few days or even longer.
9 out of 10 of them are either satisfied or very satisfied. We didn’t need to do another market test to confirm that.

The point of the Mojave Experiment is to challenge preconceived notions about Windows Vista among people who
had never even seen the product. We provide a quick glimpse of the product in hopes they (and lots of others in group 3 above) would then go and spend some time with the product, and decide for themselves if Windows Vista is better than what they may have previously heard or read.

We’re betting that the more time people spend the product, the more they will like it. This has been the case with almost all Windows Vista customers so far - our research indicates nearly 90percent of current Windows Vista users are either satisfied or very satisfied with Windows Vista, and that their satisfaction levels are increasing over time. That said, we understand the near-term pain customers experienced after launch. SP1 and other Windows Updates improved reliability, performance and usability, and we have worked hard with ISVs, device manufacturers and PC manufacturers to fix incompatibilities to improve the customer experience - from the moment they first power up on through the entire lifespan of their Windows Vista PCs.

Q: If 89% of customers are satisfied with Windows Vista, doesn’t that mean 11% aren’t satisfied?

A: No, some users are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. And according to surveys of more recent PC purchasers, the satisfaction rate has actually climbed to 92%.

Q: Is this in response to Apple’s Mac vs. PC campaign?

A: No, the Mojave Experiment is part of Microsoft’s investment in engaging consumers on the value of Windows Vista and to make people who have never seen the product to give it a shot.

Sure, you use Messenger to send instant messages, but did you know you can also make phone calls, video calls*, play games, and exchange pictures too?

Download: http://g.live.com/1rebeta3/en/wlsetup-all.exe

Users also reported earlier issues today, including messenger logging in and out, and users randomly appearing offline.

At this stage the Windows Live Server page is saying all servers are fine, like usual - however, this is highly doubtable. No news from Microsoft just yet, however we will let you know as soon as the service is back up.

The Google Chrome browser has been designed from the ground up to provide a new browser, designed for today (rather than for the original release of the internet; as claimed by Google). The browser includes many features found in other released browsers, with claims of speed and simplicity.

For more information, visit www.google.com/chrome/

Hewlett Packard claim they have been able to create a 24 hour notebook by including an ultra-high capacity battery in their EliteBook 6930p, and newly-released Intel X25-M solid-state drives and LED displays. This release comes just after Dell’s 19-hour notebook release, with the HP machine being released in October 2008.

At this stage you must be asking yourself what this has to do with technology at all - and rightfully so. However, it seems that perception is one of the most important factors for a successful product in the technology world.

One prime example of this is Windows Vista, the newest version of the Microsoft Windows family. Some people say, including myself, that Vista is a revolutionary product that has a vast improvement over previous versions, including Windows XP. However, there are also some people who do not have the same feelings towards Vista.

Whilst I respect that everyone has different opinions, and that Vista is not for everyone, it gets on my nerves when people use other people’s opinions to judge the system themselves. I mean, I have been told so many times that Vista is “slow” or “shit”, however when I ask these people if they had used the program I usually get the response of “no”, or “not, but my friend did and they said it was not good.”

So, when I saw Microsoft’s experiment released earlier this week to see how people’s perception of Vista would change if they didn’t base their assumptions on what others thought, I laughed. It proved the point that people don’t seem confident enough to try the system out themselves – instead, they rely on other people’s thoughts or messages as to how they will judge the system.

The experiment consisted of getting a few people and asking them what they thought of Windows Vista. They all said responses like “slow”, “bad” and “I heard all this bad stuff about it”. The interviewers then told them that they were going to show them the new Windows operating system, named Mojave. They showed them the operating system and let them use it, then asked for their opinion. The responses were great, and all positive. However, they were stunned when the interviewers told them that they had in fact been using Windows Vista all along. To see their reactions were curious, and their responses were plain hilarious – “But…. why is it so fast” was one response, and another was that “[they’re] going to go out and buy it straight away”.

You can see the experiment yourself at www.mojaveexperiment.com.

Sounds like a good deal, right? All you have to do is get Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours - it’s that easy. We’re not asking you to swallow a sword or to balance 30 spoons on your face, although that would be kind of awesome.

The official date for the launch of Firefox 3 is June 17, 2008.

Download and install Firefox version 3 today, and help Mozilla Firefox set a world record!

Competition Announcement:

[15-06, 19:45] MiCCAS The time has come. The winner will receive a copy of Norton 360, but we also have something else for all the entrants! All will be revealed soon.
[15-06, 19:46] simpsonsfreak And now it’s time to announce the winner. The winner is…
[15-06, 19:47] simpsonsfreak …someone on this forum…
[15-06, 19:49] MiCCAS … someone on this forum who is very lucky…
[15-06, 19:51] simpsonsfreak … and who gave us a suggestion to improve the website…
[15-06, 19:52] MiCCAS … yes, and their ideas were excellent!
[15-06, 19:52] simpsonsfreak Alright. The winner is…
[15-06, 19:53] MiCCAS *drum roll* ….
[15-06, 19:54] simpsonsfreak * simpsonsfreak continues drum roll
[15-06, 19:54] simpsonsfreak …
[ 15-06, 19:57] MiCCAS Wow those drum rolls are really awesome! *sways off-topic*
[15-06, 19:57] simpsonsfreak …
[15-06, 19:58] MiCCAS And, the winner is…
[15-06, 19:58] MiCCAS Morsolo, for his excellent entry at http://www.miccas.net/forum/showthread.php?t=35 - But don’t stop sending in your suggestions, keep ‘em coming as we take every single suggestion into account.
[15-06, 19:58] simpsonsfreak But wait, there’s more. Since the entries were of such great calibre, we’ve decided to also give prizes to every other entrant, too.
[15-06, 19:59] MiCCAS That’s right. I’ll PM all the entrants to get their details so we can send through their prize.
[15-06, 19:59] simpsonsfreak And the prize is…? You’ll just have to wait to find out!
[15-06, 19:59] MiCCAS Once again, congratulations to Morsolo, and a big thankyou to everyone who entered.

Found out something we don’t know? Comment it below! Want to discuss this? Post in the “Myspace down in Australia and Internationally” post on the MiCCAS.net Forums!

UPDATE (11:33pm): MySpace is back up!

Microsoft has today announced that it will partner with HP to begin distributing it’s Live Search-enabled toolbar on all HP consumer machines that are to be released during 2009, in the US and Canada.

Together with the Toolbar, the search engine of the browser will also be defaulted to Windows Live Search. The Silverlight based toolbar will also feature a range of HP specific buttons including that of the Snapfish system and HP customer support. Microsoft seem very confident with this deal, saying “This is the most significant distribution deal for Live Search that Microsoft has ever done, and we are very pleased to be partnering with HP to help bring Live Search to millions of consumers across North America.”

Let us know what you think, via the comments below or by posting in our newly revamped Online Forums