Yarr

In this months Dr. Dobb's Journal, there was an insert attached for the latest Microsoft Visual Studio ad campaign that might be sending the wrong message. The front of the insert (which is a very well illustrated map) can be seen in this post. When I think of software, and then pirates in the same thought, I think of software piracy. Showing a co-worker, and a few friends, they all came to the same conclusion, Microsoft seems to wants us to pirate their software. At least that is the impression given with this advertisement. After opening up the insert, there is a tag line that further enforces this idea. "Microsoft Visual Studio. Made for the likes of developers, and other scoundrels." It also has link to a website that has an online PDF of the map, with another PDF with game pieces and cards to make this a game.

Either the ad agency in charge of this either is clueless, or is trying to generate buzz with this approach. I am surprised that this got a stamp of approval from how ever many people that would have to give an approval to an ad campaign.

Just to be clear. I do not endorse, nor condone any software piracy.