In case you haven’t heard, Microsoft’s got a new ad out that features Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld shopping for shoes in a mall discount shoe store. They talk about shoes, showering and edible computing… yes, you read that right… edible computing.

So what does all this have to do with Microsoft and their Sir William of Gates’ (as Ricky Gervais called him) plan to dominate the global software market? Well, if you can figure that out from this ad, you should probably start picking lottery numbers.

I’ve been a Seinfeld fan for a long time, and while Jerry’s Seinfeld’s nihilistic and often-egocentric brand of humour works most of the time, I’d argue that this time it falls flat on its face. If you don’t believe me, you can watch the ad for yourself.

I talked a little while ago about an old Windows 386 ad that I just found completely disturbing — but if you really want to see Microsoft at its funniest, check out this faux Microsoft training video (yes, starring none other than Ricky Gervais, creator of the British version of The Office).

Much, much funnier, isn’t it (and there are 3 other parts that you can take a look for on YouTube if you’re keen on that video)? Rumour has it that Microsoft wasn’t too happy about this video making it out onto the web (it wasn’t available on YouTube for a long time, but seems to have returned).

Funny enough (or in this case, not really funny at all) is the fact that advertising firm Crispin Porter + Bugowsky came up with the spot — the same firm that was responsible for inventing that creepy Burger King (if you haven’t seen the ads, it’s just a guy in a Burger King mask). Well, Bill Gates, you’re no Burger King — sorry.