Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Themes from Corporate Entities

I suppose I was ahead of the curve on this, and had already seen and downloaded the extra themes available for Windows 7 from companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. (They have been available since October 22, perhaps earlier)

Although I see nothing wrong with this (it is a separate download, not a push, after all) the guys at PC World see this as Microsoft selling out, and a very different path than the one where it copies look and feel of Mac OS X.

Well, first, I don’t think anyone, outside of the one loose-lipped, delusional employee of Microsoft, ever thought that Windows 7 was more than a thinly veiled thin attempt at emulating OS X. By that I mean they want the overall panache of OS X, but anyone who can see knows it’s in no way a close approximation.

Microsoft succeeded in making the nicest looking Windows ever, why can’t the press simply leave it at that?

If this is part of Redmond’s alleged scheme to steal the Mac’s look, it’s got the wrong idea.

Microsoft has announced plans to peddle Windows 7 desktop space to advertisers, who’ll create Windows UI themes–customized backgrounds, audio clips, and other elements–that highlight their brand, Computerworld reports. In fact, some advertiser themes are already available in the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery, including desktop pitches for soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Pepsi), autos (Ducati, Ferrari, Infiniti), and big-budget Hollywood blockbusters (Avatar).

Ad-themed desktops are new for Microsoft, which has long allowed PC manufacturers to customize the desktop. Hardware vendors like Acer, Dell, HP, and Sony often muck up the Windows UI with background logos and countless icons for trial apps and other crapware. (Those trial apps provide an additional revenue stream, an ugly necessity in the low-margin world of Windows PCs.) Too often the hardware guys’ appalling makeover turns an aesthetically appealing UI into a tacky swap meet.

This guy seems to miss the point. These themes are purely optional. That means if you don’t want them, you don’t have to have them.

The advertiser themes are different, however, in that they won’t be foisted on unsuspecting users. Rather, you’ll have to download and install the ad pitch yourself. As a result, I doubt many Windows 7 users will gripe about ad themes. Hey, if you’re a Preparation H fan, why not devote the desktop to your favorite ointment?

Must have been a slow week for this guy, or else the thought of Preparation H weighed heavily on his mind. But, it was not a total loss, 4 paragraphs into the piece, he admits it’s optional.

Nevertheless, I think ad themes are a bad idea. They may boost Microsoft’s bottom line a bit, but they run counter to Redmond’s grand scheme of creating an elegant Windows 7 experience.

Microsoft may have refuted the claims of its blabbermouth employee who told a British publication that Windows 7 cribbed its sleek appearance from Mac OS X. (Bad career move there.) But any casual observer can tell that Windows has borrowed more than a few UI concepts from Apple over the years. I don’t see why things would change now.

Perhaps all true, except for that word…elegant. Elegant? Microsoft? This must be the first time I have seen those words in any sort of proximity.

This author, who must be new to PCWorld, continues ranting about how Microsoft should lock down the desktop.

There’s an idea. That will send user’s in droves to Linux,, or back to XP, where they can make the computer their own. Microsoft makes enough things difficult to change, it doesn’t need to further annoy the faithful, lest they become less than.

No, I think the ability to change things up is always good. So what if someone wants to have their desktop look like a billboard for Coke, it’s their desktop. The only thing I see wrong is that Microsoft is not offering any deals on things shown in the themes. (10% off a Coke, Pepsi, or perhaps an Infiniti purchase would be nice!)

And PCWorld, just because you’re still in print doesn’t mean that you always have good journalism, or journalistic practices… let’s get back to covering computers, software, and accessories, and leave the (inane) opinion pieces to a minimum.

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How about a Weeds theme, I live in California, I’m sure it would be popular here!

Of course, I could really get behind a full blown Opera theme. Wait, I suppose that might not work well for Microsoft [g]