Microsoft Jumping On The T-Shirt Bandwagon

from the softwear,-not-software dept

Mon, Dec 8th 2008 7:35am — Mike Masnick

For years, critics of this site have made fun of us (incorrectly) by claiming that we're really telling content creators of all kind to bet their business model on selling t-shirts. That, of course, isn't true, but we keep seeing t-shirts show up in odd places -- and recently discovered that the branded t-shirt market is a decent size. Who's the latest to jump in? Apparently Microsoft. Seriously. Ad Age is reporting that Microsoft is coming out with its own clothing line, focusing on the sort of retro-geek/ironic look that's been sort of trendy in the t-shirt space. They're calling it "Softwear" (not software, get it?), and it will even include the infamous Bill Gates' mugshot among other Microsoft-related images from the 80s. And, no, I doubt anyone expects this to be a big money maker, but with so many people actually selling t-shirts and with a bunch of folks in the comments recently requesting t-shirts from us, maybe we should have some fun and offer some up. I'd probably get one that read LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTS of T-shirts.

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Filed Under: t-shirts
Companies: microsoft

41 Comments

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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 8 Dec 2008 @ 7:46am

T-shirt
I want one that reads, "I Downloaded This Shirt."
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Nick Stamoulis, 8 Dec 2008 @ 7:46am

This is amazing. They should really stick to what they do best.
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2008 @ 8:05am

Re:
Screwing up OSs
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fc, 8 Dec 2008 @ 8:13am

techdirt t-shirt
i want one that says "scarce good"
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Dallas IT Guy, 8 Dec 2008 @ 8:19am

Ironic
Does anyone else see the irony in using "t-shirts" as the scarce good example, when companies have been giving them away as promotional material for years?
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Dave, 8 Dec 2008 @ 8:46am

Re: Re:
They'll probably trade mark the BSOD t-shirt and sue think geek.
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2008 @ 8:51am

Re: Re: Re:
...because, unlike Apple, Microsoft has a history of doing just that.
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Chris, 8 Dec 2008 @ 8:53am

T-Shirt
I want one that says "I have the red ring of Death".
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Tami, 8 Dec 2008 @ 8:58am

T-shirt
I want one that says "I've been Modded".
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ulle, 8 Dec 2008 @ 9:28am

The DOS shirt actually looks good and is something I would wear and speaking of t-shirts Mike when do we get to see some techdirt t-shirts?
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Twinrova, 8 Dec 2008 @ 9:29am

T-Shirt
I want a blue T-Shirt with the "Blue screen of death" text written on it.

And Mike, my t-shirt rebuttal was used as a metaphor given that's what your blog stated. "Lottttttttttts of [add item here]" is what I'm going for.

But you can also replace with "Markup [add item here] well above cost to give away free."

Enjoy!
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Joe, 8 Dec 2008 @ 9:51am

Re: T-Shirt
I do have the Red rings of death...can we get an "I have had the red rings of death x times" with the skull and 3 red lights in there...i would buy that
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Vrobca, 8 Dec 2008 @ 9:51am

Hmmmm
it confuses me to see so many people "wanting" a t-shirt from M$ when its an entirely different segment, and they have done such a crappy job in their own segment, i wouldn't wear a M$ tshirt even if it gets me popular with my fellow geeks. I expect this so called "SoftWear" to transform into "MicroWear" the first time u wash it !!!
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nasch, 8 Dec 2008 @ 9:52am

Re: Ironic
Only if they don't understand what scarce goods are. They are goods with a limited supply, that have non-trivial marginal cost to produce. It is certainly possible to give away scarce goods, and happens all the time.
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Rekrul, 8 Dec 2008 @ 9:57am

They should make one that says "I survived Windows Vista and all I got was this crummy shirt!"
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2008 @ 10:04am

And all I sold
How about

"I put together a winning web site full of relevant news and insightful commentary and all I sold was this lousy T-shirt

- Techdirt.com"
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Red, 8 Dec 2008 @ 10:05am

They should make a shirt that says: "This Shirt has encountered and Error and needs to be terminated - would you like to send the err to the Cleaners?"
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angry dude, 8 Dec 2008 @ 10:22am

Techdirt T-Shirt
I'll buy a bunch of those saying
"I AM A MINDLESS TECHDIRT LEMMING-PUNK"
and give them away for free to some members of this blog's audience
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angry dude, 8 Dec 2008 @ 10:26am

Re: And all I sold
"And all I sold" ???

You are a freaking idiot, dude

Mikey is on BSA and CPF payroll
He doesn't need to sell you anything to get paid, just to spread his bullshit and misinformation among techdirt lemming punk population
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ahhh, 8 Dec 2008 @ 10:44am

Microsoft makes great operating systems, that Millions of people use and prefer... So why not sell T shirts...

oh and i gave not seen a Blue Screen of Death in over 5 years. and all i use every day is XP
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mobiGeek, 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:21am

Re: Techdirt T-Shirt
I'll take a large. Thanks!
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DanC, 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:24am

Re: Techdirt T-Shirt
Can we get one for you saying
"I AM A WHINY BLOG TROLL" ?
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ConceptJunkie (profile), 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:33am

Re:
But what they do best is illegal.
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Chronno S. Trigger, 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:37am

Re: Re: Techdirt T-Shirt
I want one that says "Angry Dude was here".

Mike, maybe you should put out some shirts. It looks like there's a market. Could a get one in a polo shirt? We have a vary relaxed dress code here but I still can't wear T-Shirts.
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:40am

Re: Hmmmm
Why do you think microsoft has done a crappy job? I do admit their products are far from perfect, but I wouldnt call them crappy.
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:40am

Re: Re: And all I sold
Mikey is on BSA and CPF payroll

just to spread his bullshit and misinformation among techdirt lemming punk population

Hi angry dude,

Do you practice being a hypocrite, or does it come naturally? Bullshit, misinformation, and lies seems to be your forte more than anyone else's.
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angry dude, 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:46am

Re: Re: Re: And all I sold
hypocrite ? No, that's Mikey's province

Cynic ? Yes, and for a good number of reasons...

Have a nice day, punky
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Norm, 8 Dec 2008 @ 11:57am

Re: Re: And all I sold
Mikey is on BSA and CPF payroll

[Citation Needed]
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calm dude, 8 Dec 2008 @ 12:04pm

Re: Techdirt T-Shirt
angry dude,
I have a present for you, a shirt with this guy on it.
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2008 @ 12:25pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: And all I sold
No, angry dude, you're definitely a hypocrite - and a poor liar. But I suppose you have to go with what works for you...
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jonnyq, 8 Dec 2008 @ 12:39pm

Re: Ironic
free scarce goods have been used as promotional items for other scarce goods for a long time. i.e. free t-shirt with a concert ticket - t-shirt (scarce good) promoting the ability to attend a concert (scared good / service)
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Rose M. Welch, 8 Dec 2008 @ 12:43pm

Re: T-shirt
Hell yes!
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Rose M. Welch, 8 Dec 2008 @ 12:43pm

Re: techdirt t-shirt
That one, also...
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2008 @ 12:47pm

So does this mean Microsoft is giving away Windows? Because if not it means nothing and they just going to take more of people's money. Good try though.
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Pork 4 Mohammed, 8 Dec 2008 @ 1:14pm

Will the shirts come loaded with
T-shirt Genuine Notification?
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Dave, 8 Dec 2008 @ 6:27pm

Re: Techdirt T-Shirt
Did somebody hurt your feelings? Do you need a hug?

Can you stop lying long enough to breathe?
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Hoeppner, 8 Dec 2008 @ 6:54pm

I like the DOS shirt.
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Rekrul, 9 Dec 2008 @ 3:59am

How about one that says "You will need to reboot your computer to complete this operation"?
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Rick Sarvas, 9 Dec 2008 @ 6:41am

-
Great idea! I'd love to have an official MS branded BSoD shirt. Better yet, how about one for their other successful operating system (besides Vista) - Microsoft Bob.
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paintballbob, 9 Dec 2008 @ 8:44am

loooooooooooooooooooots of t-shirts
i would definitely buy some techdirt swag if it was offered. either get the loooots thing or the "i downloaded this shirt" or even one that just says "Techdirt"
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DumbLuck, 25 Feb 2009 @ 9:31pm

I'm a PC Stickers for the Apple Store!
I got some MS Swag from this site. Lots of geeks stuff, for all us MSFT's. I put these stickers on every freaking VW beatle I come across, and under the Laptops at the Apple Store.....Gotta love it!

I'm a PC Merchandise. Stickers Shirts and everything.
http://shop.ecompanystore.com/mscompanystore/Im-a-PC.aspx
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