Three weeks ago, I decided to become a Vikings fan. Yes, that’s right – I decided. What I really wanted was the lifestyle – that three hours a week where I could sit in front of the TV with no interruptions, have a snack (and a beverage) and focus on something that is so important that everyone I know supports my decision. I’ve found that “Sorry, the game is on…. ” is actually OK to say! So, my first task (according to my brother) was to pick a team. As a true Minnesotan I thought the most logical choice was the Vikings. My second task a fan was to find a Vikings blog. I needed to find my community. You know… my fellow fans. Well, after stumbling upon a few guys that had a lot to say, (much of which was R rated) I needed to find something cleaner since I had a 10 year old peeking over my shoulder. I found this one: The Viking Age

I thought for sure this would be my place. I check it before games, look for up to date game commentary during the games, and even give my two cents now and then. It’s Thursday and I’m wondering what are they saying about Sunday’s game against the 49ers? NOTHING. The last post is Dec. 3rd. Come on guys. Don’t you care?! I might just have to start my own Vikings blog…

Just to prove that money can’t buy branding sense, two examples from Microsoft:

• IE.Next
  Apparently, IE 8 is going to be called IE.Next. Question: What’s the version after 8 going to be called? IE.After.Next? Next.IE.Next? IE.360? Maybe the guy responsible figures he’ll have been promoted by then and the problem will be for whatever schmuck comes after him.
• PlaysForSure
  Microsoft recently stiffed several “partner” companies — and at least twice as many consumers — when they set the world on fire with their Zune music player and its closed, incompatible, and (apparently) much more important (to Microsoft) DRM technology. Now, they’ve “rebranded” PlaysForSure as “Certified for Windows Vista”. I kid you not. It would be funny if it weren’t true. Even funnier is Nokia still releasing PFS devices.

Postscript: The “PlaysForSure” disaster should be a warning sign for the marketing kids at Microsoft. The cruel irony alone of using such a confident name (plays for sure…until it doesn’t) and then unceremoniously axing it should be enough to give them pause and consider the exit strategy of whatever new brand names they’re conjuring up.

Pardon this latest “if you’re a man of a certain age” moment, but Speed Racer looks like it’s going to rock.