Microsoft's first crop of ads for Windows Phone puzzled some folks, but they put forth a simple idea -- using Windows Phone means you don't have to spend so much time staring at your phone -- in a funny way.
Dropping your phone in a urinal? Forgetting to open your parachute because you're taking pictures on your phone? That's funny. Or at least memorable.
But they didn't help sales, and now Microsoft has reverted to form. The new ads outline features of the phone.
The tagline: "the only phone with Office, Xbox Live, and thousands of apps."
That's true, but Office? That's a real eye-glazer for most consumers. It's certainly not going to inspire the kind of emotional response that a good iPhone ad does.
The ads actually debuted last month, but they're showing up a lot during the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament.
Here's the 30-second ad that showed up during the UConn-Cincy game last night. Judge for yourself.
And here's a one minute ad that includes a telling quote from a user: "corrected a power point in my bed...pretty awesome."
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See Also:
- Microsoft Is Taking Pains To Keep Samsung On Board With Windows Phone
- THE MICROSOFT INVESTOR: HP Basically Tells Microsoft It Doesn't Need Them
- Microsoft's Latest For Windows Phone 7: Onit, An App For Men
Microsoft: Please Bring Back The Old Windows Phone Ads (MSFT)
by Dawn Killough
But the fixtures are only part of the story. Due to the success of the company, Howard is able to improve the lives of the artisans who create them. Many have been able to increase the size of their own shops from home operations to small factories. Howard offers no-interest loans to the artisans for expansion. Her work has brought several families out of poverty and made them business owners and employers. She says the artisans also develop a sense of self-esteem and pride in their work.
Native Trails also carriers FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified and reclaimed lumber vanities. Howard says they are running several specials to help buyers out in this tough economy.
Reprinted with permission from 
by Glenn Meyers
Nelson & Pade, a Wisconsin-based aquaponics company, recently traveled to Haiti to launch an aquaponics system that can grow vegetables and fish to help feed people.
Co-owner Rebecca Nelson (pictured) said they began the installation of an aquaponics system and greenhouse at the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.
Nelson writes, "John and I arrived in Haiti a week ago to begin the installation of an aquaponics system at Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. It has been a busy and inspiring week, as we met the many people who keep this operation moving forward and feeding, caring for and nurturing people every day. Executive Director or the mission, Janeil Owen, discovered aquaponics and attended one of our workshops about a year ago. Since then, we planned, designed, built and shipped an aquaponics system and tropical greenhouse to Haiti."
The word 'aquaponics' may still sound foreign, but the concept is getting the attention of many who see it as one sustainable agricultural solution for an increasingly crowded planet. This might be especially true for poverty stricken countries. Other inspiring descriptors come to mind: inner city agriculture, gardens that don't waste, poverty gardens, gardens for crowded areas.
Georgia author Bevan Suits has written an engaging e-book about the topic, "The Aquaponics Guidebook, Access to Personal Agriculture."
After landing in Haiti, Nelson wrote, "The Haitian people, despite the poverty they live in and are surrounded by are incredibly resilient and friendly.
"We are very excited about the launch of this project and the collaboration with NWHCM. I believe that this system is just the start of a new and innovative direction for all of Haiti. Fresh, nutritious food, produced locally and on a large scale has the potential to change the nutritional and economic future of a country that has suffered corruption, poverty, and natural disasters.
"We look forward to the further development of this project. We will be returning to Haiti again to assist with the aquaponics system installation, to train staff and workers about aquaponics technology and operation of the system and to install the energy system, which consists of solar panels, a battery bank and a generator."
Reprinted with permission from