Colorado Springs resident Sven Johannsen is throwing a B.Y.O.B. bash this weekend.
He’ll supply the hors d’oeuvres.
And the operating system.
The shindig is one of thousands of “launch parties” scheduled around the world to celebrate Microsoft’s release of its latest computer operating system, Windows 7, which hits stores Thursday.
To create buzz for a product that typically doesn’t garner much consumer attention, Microsoft hired a company called House Party to help arrange events such as Johannsen’s. He’ll have the new operating system loaded on six computers at his home, including a tower that’s hooked up to a 50-inch television.
“People at work tend to ask if I’ve heard of Windows 7, if I’ve used it, what do I think of it,” said Johannsen, 55, a self-proclaimed geek who works as a systems engineer for a government contractor. “So when I heard about the launch-party thing, I said, ‘What the heck, I’ll do this.’ “
Irvington, N.Y.-based House Party, whose chief executive, Kitty Kolding, is based in Denver, provides volunteers with balloons, streamers, napkins and other party trinkets. The company’s instructional video clip on how to throw a Windows 7 party — featuring overacting and corny banter — was spoofed on YouTube and left an embarrassing mark on Microsoft.
Nonetheless, there are 360 launch parties planned in Colorado, according to House Party’s website. Microsoft provided organizers with copies of Windows 7 months in advance.
“I think it’s the oddest idea I’ve ever heard of,” said Jeff Certain, who is hosting a party for about 20 friends and colleagues Monday.
Certain, a software architect in Larimer County, said he was able to score for his event a PowerPoint presentation that details the behind-the-scenes development of Windows 7.
Johannsen and Certain are so-called Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals — regular contributors to online forums and communities that are dedicated to the software giant’s products and technology.
Both said the new operating system is a vast improvement over Vista, which was widely panned for sluggishness and driver-compatibility issues. They gave Windows 7 high marks for speed and stability.
“They’ve done a lot of nice little enhancements to make your life a little easier,” Johannsen said. “You have the ability to drag a window to the top of the screen, and that full-screens it for you instantly.”
Asked whether his party would resemble the one featured in the instructional video clip, Johannsen replied, “God, I hope not.”
House Party spokeswoman Terese Kelly declined to comment on the company’s work with Microsoft, citing an embargo agreement.
Even with attention from the launch parties, the launch of Windows 7 is a “bigger deal” for businesses than it is for consumers, said Jim Barry, a spokesman for the Consumer Electronics Association.
“It’s certainly long-awaited by anyone who’s been using Vista,” he said.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com
Some features of Windows 7
• Faster program launch time and more stable than Vista
• Drag and drop to minimize and maximize windows
• Hovering over an icon in the task bar shows a preview of the window
• “Jump lists” allow quick access to recently opened files
• An upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium costs $119.99; the full version of Home Premium costs $199.99
