Microsoft ForeFront Web Site

Check out this impressively designed web site for a Microsoft security product called ForeFront. Is it me or is this an unbelievable expensive and long way to go for potential buyers to learn about this product? Extraordinary flash without a satisfying payoff. Another example of “Make it edgy… but don’t offend anyone.”

Comments

Christian Ready 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

What’s so great about it? They used an intro movie in 2007 for cryin’ out loud.

Bryan 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

Oh come on! Give them some credit! As a promotional site this was executed nicely.

Antoine Bonnin 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

Bryan: I agree, for some reason people always need to criticize Microsoft even when it’s not deserve. The site is well designed and executed.

Alex Schleifer 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

My main glitch with this really well designed website is the tone. Seems like the punchline isn’t really that funny, it’s all a bit to obvious and condescending. While the concept could have been pretty hilarious (ninjas are hilarious, aliens are hilarious, missing pirates and Chuck Norris), you get a feeling that it was watered down — distilled through numerous corporate filters. It ain’t the Subservient Chicken — not even close.

Christian Ready 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

I wasn’t trying to come off as Microsoft-bashing, it actually wasn’t my intention. I guess I have a negative reaction to “skip intro” movies. They just seem so dated to me. Does anyone else get that impression?

Julien Stranger 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

Christian, This is your work right? How are making judegements on techniques you do not seem qualified to judge? Who cares what brand it is. The site is nice

Link to your work below:
http://www.christianready.com/i/highgear_full.jpg

craig elimeliah 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

I happen to think its a real breakthrough in technology and the way high definition video is handled on the web.

This site represents a new standard in video quality. It was designed to convey a message through empowering the IT professional using funny vignettes to get the point across.

I admit the fact that I was the interactive producer on this project makes me biased but knowing all the hard work that went into this i can tell you from an insider point of view that it really is impressive in its execution from the inside out.

Plus a lot of time was put into the video shoot, the design (it is localized in almost every country) and the backend.

Howard 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

Craig, I totally agree. As I said in the initial post the site is extremely impressive and well executed.

The point of my post is that the experience was superb but I did not leave the site with a good understanding of the product or a desire to buy it.

Rory Breaker 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

I’m still chuckling from Julien’s remarks. Indeed the pot calling the kettle black. Spot on!

jim 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

this is by no means a breakthrough, in fact the whole intro was as pointless as the sub menus within that section.
Host driven websites and “little people” integrated thru rudimentary keying techniques are no substitute for a compelling sales/education driven experience. far too much wipe on/wipe off, stop/start here. these “funny vignettes” wouldnt cut it on tv, hell -> not even on youtube, but people seem to make far too many allowances simply because it is online.

the fact that it launches seperate webpages, and even clears the page to resize is a particular bugbear of mine.

amount of time spent, or territories covered is irrelevant to a sites quality. success is measured by target audience educated and sales converted, however simple or mind bogglingly complex a site is…

Neville Brody 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

About as pointless as:

“That extracts soul
That redefines
That transcends lines
That challenges minds
That lingers inside”

That’s what I call polishing the turd, and a typographic disaster.

haggardy folkman 16 April 2007, 15:14 (Permalink)

jelousy folks, green jealousy is what it is…

haggardy folkman 13 May 2007, 16:25 (Permalink)

jelousy folks, green jealousy is what it is…

Neville Brody 5 May 2007, 18:11 (Permalink)

About as pointless as:

“That extracts soul
That redefines
That transcends lines
That challenges minds
That lingers inside”

That’s what I call polishing the turd, and a typographic disaster.

jim 23 April 2007, 15:43 (Permalink)

this is by no means a breakthrough, in fact the whole intro was as pointless as the sub menus within that section.
Host driven websites and “little people” integrated thru rudimentary keying techniques are no substitute for a compelling sales/education driven experience. far too much wipe on/wipe off, stop/start here. these “funny vignettes” wouldnt cut it on tv, hell -> not even on youtube, but people seem to make far too many allowances simply because it is online.

the fact that it launches seperate webpages, and even clears the page to resize is a particular bugbear of mine.

amount of time spent, or territories covered is irrelevant to a sites quality. success is measured by target audience educated and sales converted, however simple or mind bogglingly complex a site is…

Rory Breaker 20 April 2007, 09:32 (Permalink)

I’m still chuckling from Julien’s remarks. Indeed the pot calling the kettle black. Spot on!

Howard 20 April 2007, 06:38 (Permalink)

Craig, I totally agree. As I said in the initial post the site is extremely impressive and well executed.

The point of my post is that the experience was superb but I did not leave the site with a good understanding of the product or a desire to buy it.

craig elimeliah 20 April 2007, 06:07 (Permalink)

I happen to think its a real breakthrough in technology and the way high definition video is handled on the web.

This site represents a new standard in video quality. It was designed to convey a message through empowering the IT professional using funny vignettes to get the point across.

I admit the fact that I was the interactive producer on this project makes me biased but knowing all the hard work that went into this i can tell you from an insider point of view that it really is impressive in its execution from the inside out.

Plus a lot of time was put into the video shoot, the design (it is localized in almost every country) and the backend.

Julien Stranger 20 April 2007, 06:07 (Permalink)

Christian, This is your work right? How are making judegements on techniques you do not seem qualified to judge? Who cares what brand it is. The site is nice

Link to your work below:
http://www.christianready.com/i/highgear_full.jpg

Christian Ready 18 April 2007, 06:22 (Permalink)

I wasn’t trying to come off as Microsoft-bashing, it actually wasn’t my intention. I guess I have a negative reaction to “skip intro” movies. They just seem so dated to me. Does anyone else get that impression?

Alex Schleifer 18 April 2007, 00:59 (Permalink)

My main glitch with this really well designed website is the tone. Seems like the punchline isn’t really that funny, it’s all a bit to obvious and condescending. While the concept could have been pretty hilarious (ninjas are hilarious, aliens are hilarious, missing pirates and Chuck Norris), you get a feeling that it was watered down — distilled through numerous corporate filters. It ain’t the Subservient Chicken — not even close.

Antoine Bonnin 18 April 2007, 00:29 (Permalink)

Bryan: I agree, for some reason people always need to criticize Microsoft even when it’s not deserve. The site is well designed and executed.

Bryan 17 April 2007, 17:34 (Permalink)

Oh come on! Give them some credit! As a promotional site this was executed nicely.

Christian Ready 17 April 2007, 13:12 (Permalink)

What’s so great about it? They used an intro movie in 2007 for cryin’ out loud.

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