Microsoft’s new website for Internet Explorer 8 called Browser for the Better uses a new technique to coax people into downloading their new web browser. This micro-site has a simple premise; Microsoft will donate 8 meals to Feeding America for every download of IE8 that comes from that site.
Feeding America is a great organization that is addressing the issue of hunger in America. 1 in 8 Americans struggle to have enough to eat every day, and this organization takes this problem head-on. I applaud Microsoft for finding a way to promote a product and do some good at the same time. Microsoft’s efforts through this program are primarily aimed at giving out meals during the summer months to children that receive free or reduced cost lunches at school the rest of the year.
Despite the fact that Microsoft included IE8 in a recent Windows Update patch (and made it your default browser without your permission!), Internet Explorer is losing traction worldwide. Every day, Firefox gains more and more users that make it their default browser. Check out the latest browser usage stats by month. I don’t blame Microsoft for making every effort to try and win back or create new users through IE8.
If you check out Browser for the Better, be sure to also view the accompanying video ads for the site. These quirky clips staring Dean Cain definitely made me laugh. I’ve included my favorite, called S.H.Y.N.E.S.S. (sharing heavily yet not enough sharing still). Enjoy.
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Free Coffee From Barnes & Noble iPhone App | Software News Daily says:
September 8, 2010 at 4:58 pm (UTC -7 )
[...] get something tangible for free by simply installing a piece of software. Although, I did report last month about Microsoft’s attempt to spur more downloads of IE8 by offering meals to needy families [...]