http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB9fhjnJc B0
MICROSOFT has bowed to public outcry and pulled from the web an ad rapidly gaining fame as "the worst technology commercial ever".
The ad, which plugs Microsoft's Internet 8 browser, features a couple eating breakfast while the husband's browsing on his laptop.
He leaves the table and hands it to his wife, who inadvertantly finds a site in the history file so disturbing, she vomits on the floor.
The insinuation is it's hardcore pornography.
Hubbie returns, slips in the vomit and is conseqeuntly thrown up on several more times by his wife.
The ad also features former television Superman Dean Cain.
The catchcry for Internet Explorer 8 "OMGIGP" - "Oh My God I'm Going To Puke".
The ad is Microsoft's attempt to sell Internet Explorer 8's ability to cover any users' browsing tracks.
It was directed by Bobcat Goldthwaite, who rose - and fell from - fame after starring as Zed in the hit Police Academy movies.
Goldthwaite had directed a series of similar ads also featuring Cain, based around the catchphrases "GRIPES" (Gripping Rage Internet Pathetically Extra Slow) and "SHYNESS" (Sharing Heavily Yet Not Enough Sharing Still).
Microsoft defended the ad, claiming it was "tongue-in-cheek" and displayed "irreverent humour".
"While much of the feedback to this particular piece of creative was positive, some of our customers found it offensive, so we have removed it," Microsoft said.
Those who branded the ad offensive drew attention not only to its vomit content, but also the fact that Microsoft backed IE8's ability to hide content from one's spouse.
The ad has been removed from its own website, YouTube channel and its ad agency's website, but several versions still remain on YouTube.
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/
0,28348,25727405-5014239,00.html
