Heroes and Villains

Billy Mitchell, in case you hadn’t heard, is by his own description the “greatest arcade-video-game player of all time.” Steve Wiebe is a father and teacher who plays Donkey Kong in his spare time in his garage.

A lot of people – more than you might imagine – have a great deal of interest in the parties involved. And the outcome of the competition.

Of course in truth it is more than a competition; it is a battle. And like all battles, it is about winning. Face it, competition makes the world go around.

In the battle between Bing and Google, I must admit that I am at a bit of a loss, but then again maybe not. Microsoft created Bing. And just as Microsoft invested cargo ships full of cash to out market Mac, it plans to do the same with Bing. According to Computerworld, “Microsoft plans to invest close to $100 million in an advertising campaign for Bing.” But is there really a need? And is there really anything so significantly different to justify the huge investment – particularly in a bad economy?

I guess the answer is “why not?” It’s their money. Plus, competition is good for the marketplace. It breeds innovation and progress. I have tested Bing side-by-side with Google and really don’t see the difference – at least not enough of a difference to persuade me to make the switch. Of course, there is the muscle. Internet Explorer 6, in case you hadn’t heard, is forcing users to use Bing. According to Cnet, “Microsoft confirmed on Tuesday that it is looking into an issue in which users of Internet Explorer 6 are forced into having Bing as their default search engine.”

Hopefully, the ultimate winner in the battle of Bing and Google is us. So fight on.

Once at night cotillion squared the fight
And she was right in the rain of the bullets that eventually brought her down
But she’s still dancing in the night
Unafraid of what a dude’ll do in a town full of heroes and villains

In the battle between Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell (aka, Silly Bitchell), it would appear that truth, justice and the American way are at stake. It is the classic battle between good and evil, angels and demons, heroes and villains.

In one corner, stands the villain, Billy Mitchell; classic evildoer. In the other corner stands the hero, Steve Wiebe; classic underdog . This is an epic battle that has raged on throughout this decade and continues to this day. So fight on, to the death if you must. It’s a win-win for marketing.

Heroes and villains 

Just see what you’ve done