If you have watched the TNT Original movie Pirates of the Silicon Valley or read the book Fire in the Valley, you would know Steve Ballmer to be quite a character although both the book and the movie are unauthorised documentaries. Under the leadership of Ballmer, Microsoft plans to start a US $300 million-worth campaign aimed to demystify Windows Vista and encourage users to adopt the new operating system.

These are good times for Apple. The lack of success for Windows Vista means growth in the sales of Apple Mac for first-time buyers. And it is true- numerous reports and surveys point out to the fact that Apple Mac is seeing a growth in sales of late. Add to that, Apple won't spare any chance to take pot-shots at the software giant, its 'bloated' operating system (as if Apple OS X isn't) in its series of TV and web-cast commercials around the 'cool Mac guy and uncool PC guy'.

Now Microsoft is fed up enough that it is vowing not to take Apple's 'pin-pricking' anymore. Brad Brooks, Corporate VP of Windows Consumer Product at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston announced that Microsoft is going to launch a 300 million dollar advertising retaliation against certain competitors. "We know our story is very different from what our competitors want us to think. Today we are drawing a line and are going to start telling the real story" said Brooks. Without directly taking Apple's name out, he stated it to be a "pretty noisy competitor out there".

Here's how Microsoft is going to spend 300 million dollars:

Windows Vista Compatibility Center

This is a portal site initially listing over 9,000 devices and software products (3,500 apps and 5,500 devices) compatible with Vista. Microsoft plans to grow this list based on feedback.

"Don't Blame Vista" tool

Windows Vista had become a soft-target for ranting users with pretty much every complication. Can't send that e-mail? Blame it on Rio Vista. This level of fear-uncertainty has given rise to taboos which many users attach to Vista and that's part of the factor that's pushing Windows Vista users to upgrade downgrade to Windows XP. The new tool assesses system problems and tries to convince users that they are not the operating system's fault. It assigns blame to everything from user impatience to virus and spyware.

A big fat ad-campaign

Brooks announced a high-scale business ad-campaign, the "Move to Windows Vista with Confidence" campaign for businesses. Microsoft notes that businesses have shown a very cold response to Vista. Even Intel plans to avoid using this OS until the next significant version. This ad-campaign seems to be targeted at small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The catch goes: "Risks are a part of every small business. Making the move to Windows Vista isn't one of them. Buy a new PC with genuine Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate and receive free coaching and support from Microsoft to help you get the most out of Windows." Microsoft will offer several freebies: free phone support; tips and tricks via a new Vista Small Business Assurance Web site; and access to existing online tools and guidance.

It would be interesting to see how this venture turns out. The cash-rich software giant has never embarked on such a huge venture to sell a product better. If only $300 million could be spent on speeding up the entry of Windows 7 (assuming it's something worth looking out for), it could be helpful for all, Vista could be excused as being "Windows Me 2.0" and the world moves on to something better. But it would be irrational on our part to jump to that conclusion, and that is what Microsoft plans to get the users rid of. Here's wishing Steve and his team all the very best.With inputs from DailyTech