microsoft

Microsoft Launches New Website : WindowsAndMe

HappyAndyK   via WinVistaClub on 28 June 2008 - 14:40 · 122 comments & 47218 views

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WindowsAndMe is a new website launched by Microsoft. It will be the place where the Windows community at large will come together to share their experiences, explore the magical world of Windows and learn to make the most of their digital experience.

Share your experiences, voice your opinion & learn from other Windows users to get more out of your PC experience. We have a panel of “Windows Gurus” who can help you with your questions or concerns. As a member of Windows and Me, you will be informed about the trendiest new features and innovations in the world of Windows. Also, we have some great partnerships in place to give you exclusive offers. We encourage you to visit the site regularly to enjoy these benefits.

Editorial Note: The authenticity of this site has not been verified and has been questioned by many of our members. Please use caution when entering any personal information into this website.

Update: Microsoft India have confirmed through email that the site is legit and also asked us to remove the domain info, so please do not repost it.

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(1 reply) #1 sharp65 on 28 Jun 2008 - 15:00
So you need to be in india to sign up? Thats the only location offered on the registration page
#1.1 jwjw1 on 29 Jun 2008 - 02:08
lol
(2 replies) #2 milesfromordinary on 28 Jun 2008 - 15:02
lmao "explore the magical world of Windows". sounds like a kids animated movie trailer
#2.1 Lasker on 28 Jun 2008 - 15:34
I agree, what the hell is magical in the world of Windows?
#2.2 [deXter] on 14 Jul 2008 - 04:31
(Lasker said @ #2.1)
I agree, what the hell is magical in the world of Windows?

It's magical how you get infected by malware inspite of having an updated AV, how BSODs pop up with no apparent reason, how money flies from your pockets into MS's.... it must be magic!
#3 bluarash on 28 Jun 2008 - 15:26
I really believe that this likely could be a hoax as well (no use of passport/live account). It offers a prize for rather personal information. It gives you a choice of three versions of Windows (Windows 95, Windows XP or Windows Vista). It just doesn't seem like a Microsoft site. The code is all wrong, the language is wrong. It could be a test page... but it looks a little too mature.
#4 McG on 28 Jun 2008 - 15:30
um...definitely a hoax. why are we posting this crap without source verification?
#5 +Nauge on 28 Jun 2008 - 15:31
Its got to be fake right. Discover the magic... lol
(2 replies) #6 xiphi on 28 Jun 2008 - 15:44
Yea, this is definitely not a Microsoft site. The quality just isn't there.
#6.1 exotoxic on 28 Jun 2008 - 16:02
+1 the graphics dont have the quality of official microsoft sites.
#6.2 RobertH on 29 Jun 2008 - 14:32
Or the broken english.

Discover the magic in your right pc.


XD
#7 digitalsoft on 28 Jun 2008 - 16:01
I really do hope this isnt real... poor quality if it is...
(2 replies) #8 Swordnyx on 28 Jun 2008 - 16:19
Shouldn't it be Windows and I?
#8.1 McG on 29 Jun 2008 - 00:19
Depends on the context. "Windows and I" went to the store is correct; however, Sally likes "Windows and I" is incorrect. In that case, you would indeed use "Windows and Me."
#8.2 ricknl on 29 Jun 2008 - 14:24
In other words, if used as a subject it should be Windows and I, and if used as an object it should be Windows and Me.

In this context it is used as subject, therefore, you are indeed right, it should be Windows and I.

On the other hand, in colloquial informal British English people say 'you and me' and use it as an object in sentences- and this is what confuses many people.

Last edited by ricknl on 30 Jun 2008 - 14:20
#9 aStRaLgOd on 28 Jun 2008 - 16:34
The about us page pointing to the Microsoft India page...?

And it's hosted on Rackspace?
#10 bruNo_ on 28 Jun 2008 - 16:39
argh
it's sick
#11 some_guy on 28 Jun 2008 - 16:48
it doesn't feel like a microsoft site to me... the microsoft logo in the footer is very non-microsoft (as in it doesnt follow other microsoft sites - no slogan). it has the windows live look, but talks about windows vista... microsoft would never do that...
(2 replies) #12 Kevin8020 on 28 Jun 2008 - 17:12
They're using flash...

Wouldn't Microsoft be using silverlight?
#12.1 Arkos Reed on 29 Jun 2008 - 00:49
ditto, same question
#12.2 n3Mo on 29 Jun 2008 - 14:37
Microsoft has actually been using flash before ([url="http://office.microsoft.com/sv-se/suites/HA101672731053.aspx" ref[/url], however I agree that it's much more likley that they'll be using silverlight for new productions.

Many things point to the fact that this is not an official Microsoft site. One (parhaps a bit hard to see) is that the logo in the lower right contains the "pitch" (Your potential. Our passion.) in the upper left corner instead of the lower right. There are often very strict rules of how you can use a logo and I don't think that's allowed.
(1 reply) #13 kevpan815 on 28 Jun 2008 - 17:39
The New Website Is Not Loading Up 4 Me, Just FYI. Then Again, Comcast Sometimes Does Not Recognize New Websites In A Prompt And Timely Manner, Also Just FYI.
#13.1 ViperAFK on 28 Jun 2008 - 17:45
...
#14 +warwagon on 28 Jun 2008 - 17:53
hmm just recently apple came out with mobile me and now Microsoft does this.
(1 reply) #15 Chipshop on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:06
Deff not an Microsoft website
#15.1 Chipshop on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:07
(Chipshop said @ #16)
Deff not an Microsoft website

Definitely not a Microsoft website (hate spelling things wrong) :p
#16 Rob on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:08
Completely fake in my opinion, please take extreme caution in giving any personal information to this site. The quality of the development is no where even remotely close to Microsoft's, albeit occasionally 'design-by-committee', standard.

Here's an odd thing. Check out this page:
http://www.windowsandme.com/AboutUs.aspx
Check the source code - there's a reference to an internal URL (http://192.168.0.14/microsoft/...) - so fake it hurts!
#17 LisKiller on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:17
FAKE!
#18 dhavalhirdhav on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:27
Look at the Windows and Me Logo.. its blurry.. pixelate.. also graphics are not upto the Microsoft quality. and on bottom also Microsoft logo doesnt align properly.

I am not sure whether its Microsoft developed site or not.. I can check that with Microsoft India team.
#19 +Lt-DavidW on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:45
How fake. The main logo has a skewed aspect ratio, and what has the Windows Live Messenger logo got to do with Windows?
#20 +HappyAndyK on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:46
I had got e-mail communication/s from Microsoft people I know, declaring the intent of Microsoft to launch this particular site.
#21 HalcyonX12 on 28 Jun 2008 - 18:49
It would be pointless for MS to launch a site such as this... it would just be preaching to the choir. Casual computer users aren't even aware that their PC runs Windows, and what exactly that amounts to... they just know they need software that's "windows compatible" or "PC compatible"... I doubt many end users would seek out a site such as this.
(2 replies) #22 kevpan815 on 28 Jun 2008 - 19:11
The Website Is Loading Up Now, But I Think That I Will Not Enter Any Information On The Website Until The Website Has Been Confirmed 2 Be A Legitimate Microsoft Website By A Microsoft Press Release Announcement, Just FYI.
#22.1 cyberdrone2000 on 28 Jun 2008 - 23:08
STOP SAYING "FYI". It's not even appropriately used in the context you're presenting!
#22.2 Shiranui on 30 Jun 2008 - 06:41
(cyberdrone2000 said @ #23.1)
STOP SAYING "FYI". It's not even appropriately used in the context you're presenting!


Thank you.
(2 replies) #23 Choto Cheeta on 28 Jun 2008 - 19:12
Hello Guys,

Microsoft India have officially informed all of us (Indian / South Asian MVPs) via our officially MVP mailing list about this project of their. Many of South Asian MVPs have done beta testing for the web site including me and have had plenty of email communication with MSFT employees in between with their official email IDs (few I am not allowed to disclose).

Anyway, would be asking MS India officially about any email address in which you may send your email to have an official confirmation on the web site !!!

As all communication were under NDA so without permission cant directly disclose any MSFT employee email address !!!

Thank you,

Regards,
Saurav Basu

Microsoft MVP 2007 – 2008 (Windows / Shell)
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Saurav.Basu
#23.2 HalcyonX12 on 28 Jun 2008 - 21:23
Maybe MS is getting everyone to do their beta testing (Many people here are noticing problems)

But wouldn't a "test" site be blocked off from normal traffic? Also, Microsoft wants to avoid remembering people about "Windows Millennium Edition" so why would they name the site "Windows and Me"... it sounds a lot like WindowsMe... especially since Microsoft even asks everyone to use a lower case "e" in their marketing for WindowsMe... (link)
(1 reply) #24 +JMann on 28 Jun 2008 - 19:49
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Saurav.Basu

No Profile Data to View
The profile you are looking for does not exist...


Also the site looks awful, it cannot be a Microsoft site!
#24.1 blowdart on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:07
Actually he's hiding his profile from the public and non-MVPs.

It does exist (I can see it, ahem). But my god that's an awful site.
(1 reply) #25 ]SK[ on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:10
Shouldn't this be removed from the front page news now?
#25.1 Tikitiki on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:19
Agreed...
#26 Citrusleak on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:21
It has to be fake. The english on the main flash thingy on the main page is horrible. For example, it says "Discover the magic in your right pc" lol. Hillarious
#27 Lare2 on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:27
WindowsAndMe is a new website launched by Microsoft..... and Editorial Note: The authenticity of this site has not been verified.......



So how something like this ended on the frontpage of Neowin ?
#28 +Sethos on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:27
So you just add an editorial note instead of just removing it, when It's so damn suspicious O.o
(1 reply) #29 Choto Cheeta on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:38
@+JMann

You are need to have an Authentic live ID to view My profile As it would contain physical address / phone and some other private data hence it is not accessible to unauthenticated user or visitors

As for my self being an MVP or not, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/india/mvp/indiamvp.aspx which contains the list of Indian Names this link is public as no personal data is given there so without any Live ID or without being any pre-authenticate user any one view the name list of presently active MS Indian MVPs

Also the site looks awful, it cannot be a Microsoft site!


many believes Microsoft softwares are really awful, but does that mean they are not softwares from worlds largest software company ?

Anyway hopefully we may expect some official news (may be a press release) by Monday from MSFT

Thank you,

Regards,
Saurav Basu

Microsoft MVP 2007 - 2008 (Windows / Shell)
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Saurav.Basu
#29.1 blowdart on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:52
Umm you can choose which parts of your MVP profile are shown to the public and which parts are hidden; you don't have to show person data at all to the "general public"

And to be even more fussy the MVP guidelines state that you shouldn't have your area in your signatures, emails etc. Although no-one ever pays attention to t hat
#30 medion on 28 Jun 2008 - 20:52
The vista logo isn't the right one...
#31 coolkat007 on 28 Jun 2008 - 21:21
well if you look at most of the indian sites.. they are more or less built that way. If the site was built for indian user base then im not very surprised by the quality. more over.. they are not asking for your other accounts username or passwords so u cant exactly claim it to be a fake site. There are more freelancers working for MS in india via some student programs so lets see..
#32 Septimus on 28 Jun 2008 - 21:50
Fake.
(2 replies) #33 dougggg on 28 Jun 2008 - 22:08
I can't believe NEOWIN is this stupid.

This site has sadly fallen to a new low. ):
#33.1 jgrodri on 28 Jun 2008 - 23:59
In all fairness, it's not the site's fault that this so-called journalist didn't corroborate his article or even bothered to question the authenticity of the source.
#33.2 PureLegend on 29 Jun 2008 - 07:57
"A new low"?
#34 Aq3e on 28 Jun 2008 - 22:58
Why do you still have this hoax on the FRONT page, some one should have done research before posting this especially on the front page.
#35 bb10 on 28 Jun 2008 - 23:52
It's clearly fake just by looking at how bad the logo sticks out from the background. :/

Remove from front page please.
#36 jgrodri on 28 Jun 2008 - 23:54
I would like to request that the author of this article retract himself and that this "news" be withdrawn from the site. Thank you.
#37 Emil2k on 29 Jun 2008 - 00:02
The website is made of Adobe Flash, if it were from Microsoft it should have been built in Microsoft Silverlight. >.<
(1 reply) #38 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00
#38.1 brent3000 on 29 Jun 2008 - 00:21
1st thing that grabbed my attention... no LIVE accounts... which is one thing ms always uses....
#39 Belazor on 29 Jun 2008 - 00:44
The images on the site are in super low quality, and on the "Download Vista SP1" page I can clearly see the pixellation that's caused by say saving a screenshot in .jpg format in Paint.

This just screams fake, MS might have intended to release a site like this but this is certainly not it, and I would trust this site about as far as I can throw a sack full of anvils.
(1 reply) #40 ]SK[ on 29 Jun 2008 - 00:47
Hummm one of the lines on the flash part reads "Discover the magic in your right PC". Do I have a left PC? o_0
#40.1 NightmarE D on 29 Jun 2008 - 23:51
Keep in mind the people doing it are using a language that isn't their native language.

I'm pretty sure what they mean is:

"Discover the magic right in your PC"
#41 trashpickinman on 29 Jun 2008 - 01:23
Wow, Microsofts' really gone downhill since Bill left.
#42 ajua on 29 Jun 2008 - 01:25
I was just about to register without even readin this thread but then i saw that no Live ID support. I came here to read the posts i agree that is fake.

Or Maybe is an inside beta in india, but somehow they went public, maybe without knowing.
(1 reply) #43 nunjabusiness on 29 Jun 2008 - 02:07
WTF people?
So Neowin is just a big spam and phishing promoter now?
#43.1 Magallanes on 29 Jun 2008 - 02:33
Also outdated news, doubled news and irrelevant post.
#44 GEIST on 29 Jun 2008 - 03:02
Good job, Neowin. A blind user could spot that this site is a hoax. Just the terminology this site uses does not match MS' terminology.
"Member E-Mail ID:"? That's not anywhere near MS. And the most obvious would be the WHOIS info posted above.
Why this article is still up and featured on the frontpage, even though the editor notes it doesn't seem to be a trustful site, is beyond me.
#45 IntelliMoo on 29 Jun 2008 - 03:09
WindowsAndMe? Thought Me was dead? hehe
#46 episode on 29 Jun 2008 - 03:09
Take this page off the frontpage.
#47 trashpickinman on 29 Jun 2008 - 03:40
I've been doing a little research, this might (and I stress might) be legit: a press release from netcarrots: http://www.netcarrots.net/net/press-room/n...pr.htm#WhatsNew edit: another bit of info that they are connected at least in some way to Microsoft, the above press release lists a Barista/Microsoft webcam giveaway, verified by an Indian publication here http://www.channelworld.in/news/index.jsp/artId=4194437, the first press release also says they are managing the entire backend which might explain the odd 'whois' info.

Last edited by trashpickinman on 29 Jun 2008 - 04:04
#48 +Sam Symons Live on 29 Jun 2008 - 03:42
I call fake. The logo is all blurry and everything.
#49 MiCCAS on 29 Jun 2008 - 03:59
It's a fake, and the reason why I suspect this is because the login system doesn't use Windows Live - it uses it's own system.
#50 DaltonLauer on 29 Jun 2008 - 04:07
Could be that the site is a MS supported project and the work has been out-sourced to a 3rd party. But, yes, the images do look shoddy and need working on.
#51 kaiwai on 29 Jun 2008 - 04:09
If you want a laugh, here is a question someone posted on their 'ask a guru' section:

"in the microsoft Web sad Windows vista his Support DirectX 10.1 .but my computer update to Sp1 don,t DirectX 10.1 . DirectX 10.1 cancel support to Vista Sp1?"

?! me not understand engrish
#52 Gabe3 on 29 Jun 2008 - 04:44
windows is magical?
#53 toadeater on 29 Jun 2008 - 05:12
explore the magical world of Windows
(1 reply) #54 Airlink on 29 Jun 2008 - 05:23
It's a magical, magical land where an OS is supposed to cost $600 and open source is evil.
#54.1 RAID 0 on 29 Jun 2008 - 21:54
#55 SimNet on 29 Jun 2008 - 06:03
me wuvs WindowsAndMe
(3 replies) #56 +HappyAndyK on 29 Jun 2008 - 06:26
There is official confirmation from Microsoft : "The windowsandme.com site is done by Microsoft. NetCarrots is the agency developing and running the site." It is in beta stage.
#56.1 H3n on 29 Jun 2008 - 08:31
and.. how can you verify this source again? like a link to MS website.
#56.2 Airlink on 29 Jun 2008 - 23:12
If it's official confirmation, show us someone from Microsoft confirming it. Otherwise, it's fake.
#56.3 Wiggz on 30 Jun 2008 - 13:38
(HappyAndyK said @ #56)
There is official confirmation from Microsoft : "The windowsandme.com site is done by Microsoft. NetCarrots is the agency developing and running the site." It is in beta stage.


Oh dear, I sincerely hope the MS spokesperson, who you obviously spoke to, did not use that exact language. I mean come on..."The windowsandme.com site is done by Microsoft"

Yes, yes I can just see them saying that now <doh>
(5 replies) #57 divadiow on 29 Jun 2008 - 08:42
it's embarassing to see it on the main page.

goombahs

Last edited by divadiow on 29 Jun 2008 - 08:51