14 DAY TRIAL // It was clear even before the latest Windows client from Microsoft hit the shelves that the Redmond company would ride the “7” concept in its marketing push for all it’s got. The latest initiative from the Redmond company involves a contest designed to enable users to propose no less than “7 ways to change the world with Windows 7.” According to Microsoft this contest is not addressed at end users in particular, but at community organizations. In fact, by asking users how they would change the world, Microsoft actually wants to know how Windows can be leveraged to help local communities. The software giant is prepared to offer no less than seven prizes, equal in value, for just as many winning submissions.
“To celebrate the launch of the Windows 7 operating system, we want to discover creative ways that a PC running Windows can help an organization to make an ever greater impact in the community. Submit a short video explaining or illustrating how you would use Windows to help a community organization. The 7 people with the best submissions, as chosen by our judges, will each win a new PC running Windows 7. Each winner's chosen eligible community organization will receive a $7,000 grant,” the software giant explained.
Microsoft is limiting access to the contest only to US residents. Participants must put together a video with their perspective over how Windows 7 can help their community. The Redmond company noted that users needed to focus on producing .wmv, .mpeg, or .avi format video entries, no longer than 2 minutes and no larger than 200MB. The software giant is only looking for original work.
“To enter, just create a short video explaining how you would use Windows to support the work being done by a community organization, register for the competition here and then upload your video here and complete the entry form. Closing date for submissions is November 11th 2009. The 7 best submissions, as chosen by our judging panel, will be announced between November 16th and November 24th 2009,” the company added.