Who is in line at the Microsoft Store?
October 28th, 2009, 11:47 pm · 41 Comments · posted by Niyaz Pirani
For the couple hundred people camped out in the parking lot at the Shops at Mission Viejo for the opening of California’s first Microsoft Store, the question isn’t Apple or Microsoft. The real question is: Microsoft or Justin Bieber?
As early as 3:45 p.m. Wednesday people began lining up for the grand opening of the store, only the second one in the nation, which opens at 10 a.m. Thursday. Lines are expected to swell to over 1,500 people.
Lured by tickets to a parking lot gig by Bieber, a Canadian tween pop sensation, kids and their parents are huddled in lawn chairs and blankets, trying their best to stay warm.
“I have a 15-year-old daughter who is a die-hard fan of Justin Bieber,” said Stefanie Tran, an Aliso Viejo mom 
who is camping out for daughter Nicolette. “We’re here for her … but I’ve heard about Windows 7 so I’m kind of excited about that. I want to see how it is.”
Not everyone is here for the show. Navid Zamani, of Laguna Niguel, will wait through the night with the hope that the Microsoft Store will stand toe-to-toe with the Apple Store.
“I’m just happy that they’re finally standing up against Mac. I’m surprised it took them so long to figure out that the Apple Store is the key to their success, to a degree,” he said.
There are advantages to coming early. Patrons including Kevin Pamittan, of Lake Forest, were already rewarded by Microsoft for their efforts.
Pamittan, pictured at top, recieved a Microsoft Zune HD for answering a simple Microsoft-related question. Employees also came to the line with a wheelbarrow full of free copies of Windows 7.
“It makes it worth while, coming out here. Not only just to see the store, but getting all this free stuff will make me a Microsoft fan even longer,” he said. ”I appreciate that they gave out Windows 7 because it shows their appreciation for people who are dedicated and spent the night.”
For information about opening day giveaways and the story behind the store, read the Register’s story about the Microsoft Store in Mission Viejo.
Follow the link to view a slide show showing who is in line a the Microsoft Store and what they had to say about the wait.
Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.- Keep it civil and stay on topic.
- No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks.
- People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
- By posting your comment, you agree to allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Register publications without any notification or payment.
41 Comments
-
ADVERTISEMENT
-
Things to do
-
To view local listings CLICK
HERE
Or visit your TV provider: * Cox Cable * Time Warner Cable * DirecTV * Dish Network * AT&T U-verse * Verizon FiOS *
Watch a show online HERE. Get TV/mobile help on Twitter
-
-
The North Orange County Computer Club answers your tech questions. Visit the PC Club page and the Stump archives.Recent Q&As:
>>Click HERE for more PC Club answers 
More O.C. Tech News- SRCH2 Bolsters Enterprise Search With Broad Language Support May 22, 2013
- San Diego, Irvine Tops For Engineering Job Demand, Says Report May 21, 2013
- AnyMeeting Gives Gentle Nudge Towards Pro Plans May 21, 2013
- Kaleio Launches Professional Workforce Networking Service May 20, 2013
- ChicksStarter Pulls Together Funding For A Lucky Female Startup May 20, 2013
- YouMail Spins New Updates To Android App May 20, 2013
- Alteryx Gets $12M For Big Data Analysis Tools May 20, 2013
- QLogic In CEO Shuffle May 20, 2013
- Privlo Raises $2.1M For Private Mortgage Marketplace May 17, 2013
- Mindspeed Adds Board Member May 17, 2013
-
ADVERTISEMENT
Here's a list of TV/mobile companies helping consumers one tweet at a time. 
Idiots
GL MS,
Went to the apple store to get the kid a iPhone and i found the whole experiance horrible. The workers were illiterate, arrogant jerks who turned me off to the whole “apple experiance”
Also, if I wanted a computer that never really crashes but doesn’t have much of a selection of software or games I would go with Linux…
I mean, is there an Apple emulator for windows? Theres several products to run Winsoftware on Macs
Agreed. Macs are great for people that need someone to hold their hand, relatively speaking. A limited set of functionality done up in a simple interface.
The Genius Bar and the whole Apple store experience is lacking. An elites culture wrapped in a shiny package.
And your point is? Is the point that I’m supposed to want a computer that is done up in a complicated interface and is difficult to use? No thanks. Why would I want a complicated piece of technology? Technology is supposed to make my life easier and more interesting, not harder and frustrating.
what’s innovative about copying a format that apple introduced over 8 years ago? also, apple opened their first store in a flagship location at tysons corner in virginia. mission viejo is hardly a flagship location.
it’s also nice that microsoft’s public relations department sent some foot soldiers down to “wait in line” and act like it was the second coming of the british invasion. no non-paid to be there person would be that excited about a store opening.
“Who is in line at the Microsoft store?”
answer: undercover microsoft employees and other hired “customers”.
Windows isn’t complicated. If Windows turns out to be too much and the software from Apple (or the smaller developers base) works for you… that’s great. Different strokes for different folks.
I own both and I’m hard pressed to find anything that’s a stand-out example why OS X 10.6 is better. Whatever works.
“nick says:” you are truly a twit and obviously an Apple Kool Aid Drinker and Mactard. ““Who is in line at the Microsoft store?”
answer: undercover microsoft employees and other hired “customers”.”
Hmmm, apparently Microsoft has about Ten Thousand “undercover employees and hired customers they can afford to pay while at the same time, like other Mega companies, they are laying off corporate employees around the country. (Hows that Hope and Change working for ya??)
Look people, “nick” is your typical MacTard. Delusional, Non-thinking, Lives in a Fantasyland and in his mothers basement (mainly because he has no money left after paying Stevie Gods the “Mac Premium” every 6 months when crApple makes the last release of Macs obsolete and the the new ones new for just 6 more months. ) Battery in your iPud die yet just a month after the warranty runs out, nick??
How about those history making buggy G3 – G4 iBooks that the US Gov made crApple extend the warranties to 3 years, the faulty G4 PowerBooks with premature failing LCD’s and now the buggy MacBooks and MacBook Pros?? Oh yeah, Apple and Quality – there’s an Oxymoron. Nick would know about Oxy morons.
“nick”, go and enjoy your OS X “Spinning Beach Ball of Wait n Wait ….”
Ouch!! That hurt, huh?