In Microsoft's vision, the Windows brand, along with the products developed under its umbrella, are crucial components of the digital lifestyle. From the server side to the desktop and then to the world wide web, Windows is synonymous with the concept of digital life, in the view of the Redmond company, just as Google has grown to become the equivalent of search. And the fact of the matter is that taking into account the latest estimates from Microsoft, by mid 2008, the install base for Windows will exceed the 1 billion milestone. And with more people using Windows than driving cars, it is hard to dispute the fact that Microsoft's proprietary operating system is the foundation for the global digital life. Microsoft has even gone to all the trouble of making available a series of videos highlighting the integration of Windows and Windows Live into various aspects of everyday life. You can head over at windows.com and windowslive.com in order to access them.

"We call them demos but really they're little stories about people using Windows to do more, connect with loved ones and share memories. I'm excited about the videos for a couple of reasons (besides the fact that it's always fun to have something you had a hand in producing actually Out There - in front of real people who will have real opinions about them) - naturally I'm excited about the chance to paint a picture of Windows Vista and Windows Live working together and to showcase new features and capabilities in the product, but what I'm most excited about is the opportunity to put Windows in the context of people's lives - which is an approach we haven't traditionally taken with product demos on the Windows website", revealed Lorrin Maughan, Microsoft Marketing Manager.

In the end, Microsoft underlines the fact that Windows and the technology built on top of the platform becomes intimately connected with the end users. The products are by no means the focus of the videos, as the people using them take center-stage. "Putting Windows in context of people's lives is my passion - I love Windows Vista and Windows Live together. And if I can use stories to help other people see how naturally these products fit into and enhance their lives - their digital lives - I believe that they'll start realizing the potential sitting right there in the PC in front of them", Maughan added.