Deflation

Almost as if in response to Opera's cloud computing capability, Microsoft has launched a new campaign: Use IE8 and have a chance to win $10,000 Australian. They specifically tell you not to use Firefox (though many people have pointed out that you can use Firefox and use a user-agent switcher.

This contest is a rather sad attempt from Microsoft to gain back some users... which is weird, since Microsoft's normal operating procedure is to hire all the best people away and do R&D until their product is better (see: XBox). Ingenuity isn't really their strong suit, but I guess this campaign plays to their strengths (having the cash to blow anyone else out of the water).

Didn't the prize for internet contests (and really, ANY contest) use to be a million dollars? $10,000 seems like they're skimping.

Google's response was sarcasm.