Was this really a good idea?

I was somewhat taken aback to learn that in Japan, Microsoft's launch of Windows 7 had been linked with Burger King's offering a new menu item: the 'Windows 7 Whopper'.




It's a burger with no less than 7 (yes, seven!) hamburger patties and all the trimmings. To continue the product link-up, it sells for 777 yen, and will be on sale for seven days only. One report claims it allegedly contains 2,100 calories - almost the same as the recommended total daily food intake for a moderately active person!

As Computerworld points out, this might not have been such a good idea.

Given that Microsoft has been criticized for releasing top-heavy, bloated operating systems, this could be one of its worst promotional ideas ever.

The Windows 7 Whopper . . . likely packs enough cholesterol to require immediate surgery for anyone foolhardy enough to try eating one.

Microsoft has made much of the fact that Windows 7 is svelter than Windows Vista, requires less RAM, and can run even on netbooks. So why promote it with such a massive heart-killer?

Worse, still, is that Microsoft's worst critics have accused it of lying. Given that's the case, why promote Windows 7 with a whopper, which is slang for a big lie?

There's more at the link.

Here's a video of a Windows 7 Launch Party at a Burger King in Japan, where a hapless volunteer tries to fit the darn thing into his mouth.

He made it - but only just! No word on whether anyone's actually managed to finish one, including a side order of fries and a drink.

Less than three weeks after coronary bypass surgery, my heart took one look at that video and went into palpitations. I suspect I'll give it a miss!



Peter