However, after that high note, Microsoft has apparently posted another flop.  In an unusual move Microsoft has enlisted the help of a company by the name of House Party to try to convince people across the country to hold Windows 7 themed parties to commemorate the product's launch.  House Party is a company that typically builds buzz for kitchen product launches.  Among its currently promoted clientele products are Hunt's canned tomatoes, Martha Stewart's line of craft tools and avocados from Mexico.

Under House Party's plan, individuals from 12 different countries -- including the U.S., Mexico, and India -- can sign up to host "Windows 7" launch parties.  Hosts will receive a copy of Windows 7, plus items like Windows-branded napkins, a table centerpiece and tote bags for guests -- as well as helpful tips to keep their Windows 7 house party in full-effect.

To help educate party hosts Microsoft has aired a set of videos with actors posing as party hosts chatting about their parties.  The ridiculous ads features such dialogue jewels as: "When everyone was there and settled, I led an overview of some of my favorite Windows 7 features. I showed my guests things from two of the Windows 7 orientation videos, and it took like 10 minutes.  Oh, and you know what was great? It was totally informal. Like, everyone just kind of crowded around the computer in the kitchen."

Those lines, delivered by a bubbly blonde are met by knowing smiles and chummy laughs of party guests.  Overacting and underpaid, the commercial stars aren't afraid to lay on the enthusiasm about Windows 7 on thick.  States one guest, "Can you believe that Microsoft put the launch of Windows 7 in our hands? Are they nuts or what?"

Nuts indeed.  The commercial is quickly drawing ridicule as has become a viral video and web laughingstock.  While the video is earning Microsoft publicity -- millions of views -- it's not exactly the kind of publicity Microsoft likely intended.

It should be noted that Microsoft didn't supervise, design, or approve the commercials.  They were entirely the work of House Party.  Kitty Kolding, House Party's CEO, defends the commercials' shortcomings saying that they were put together "quickly".  She says that they did succeed in getting hundreds of thousands of applications to be party hosts.  She states, "Make fun all you want.  Microsoft got an incredible global response."

She also bemoans the task of creating a Windows 7 party plan, somewhat insulting her client in the process.  She states, "Keep in mind that what we are trying to create an experience around in people's homes is an operating system.  It's not a cool gadget, it isn't a new potato chip, it's an operating system."

You can sign up to host a Windows 7 House Party here.