In early April we wrote about Bob’s Cube, a promotional microsite for hosting company Hostway. The microsite presented the virtual world of an office cubicle which allowed visitors to click into the cube and explore. It was engaging enough to grab attention for a few minutes. Well, it seems the idea has been stolen by ailing Netscape to promote its browser. Called “The Cubicle,” Netscape’s microsite is a near identical copy of the Hostway’s concept. Hostway’s “Bob’s Cube” was launched April 1 (oh no, is the whole thing a joke?). Netscape’s “The Cubicle” was launched May 27.
Unfortunately for Netscape and fortunately for Hostway, not many people will see “The Cubicle” because it is delivered as a blockable pop up. They call it a “daughter window” to somehow make it sound less nefarious. Not very smart on Netscape’s part when they could have simply launched the rip off in a separate, regular window.
UPDATE: Hugh, in comments, rightly points out this cubicle thing has been going on for quite some time.
