Whoa. This thing is dreadful. It's borderline uncomfortable. But I like a good train wreck, so I watched the whole thing.

Microsoft is trying to build organic word-of-mouth by encouraging people to host their own Windows 7 parties in their own house. Consumers are encouraged to invite people over and show them how to use the new software in non-threatening environment. It's a good idea in theory, but as it usually is with anything else in marketing - it's all in the execution.

Mistake #1: They're trying too damn hard. It's so painfully obvious that the actors were coached to present the information in a very informal, conversational way. Why not have REAL people learn the software and present it in a REAL way? If you don't want to do that - train the actors on the software and have them present it in their REAL voice.

Mistake #2: What about some REAL party footage? Ok, if you want to communicate all of the key points via these actors, fine. But show me some real footag