Microsoft changes XP ad slogan

The $200 million marketing program for Windows XP will include a launch party on Oct. 25 to be held in New York. It was nearly cancelled in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, but New York mayor Rudy Guliani had a chat with Bill Gates which put it back on track.

The theme song for the launch will be Madonna's "Ray of Light". Although mum on whether Madonna will be performing on launch night, Stephanie Ferguson, Microsoft's PC experience marketing director, says "This is going to be a pretty loud launch. We'll have a pretty strong presence."