Comments on: “why microsoft is dead”

By: gtwjofzpv wfrepkm

gtwjofzpv wfrepkm — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:15:26 +0000

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By: James

James — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:18:18 +0000

Don't forget the followup: http://www.paulgraham.com/cliffsnotes.html

By: Richard Stacy

Richard Stacy — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:55:09 +0000

What a lot of fuss. To me, as a person who thought AJAX was a kitchen cleaning product, it seems pretty clear. Microsoft isn’t dead — but the business model that made Microsoft is.
Paul Graham makes two points which, when the dust has settled, deserve attention. First, the days of a Windows type desktop-based approach to things are limited as on-line storage and interaction become faster and cheaper. Second, the reaction of the young start-up guy should serve as a warning to Microsoft that, as a brand, it is losing its mojo. Important, but not terminal, issues.

By: tomdog

tomdog — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:39:20 +0000

MSFT is not a huge supporter of AJAX, the concept, they are a huge supporter of a MSFT-branded AJAX-like development platform. I work for a software vendor that provides development tools for Visual Studio developers. We’ve been offering an AJAX product for years before it was even called AJAX. Now we’re running into irate Visual Studio developers who are assuming that we are providing toolkits that are optimized for this bullcrap MSFT-AJAX format since MSFT has been promoting the heck out of it. MSFT seems desperate to taint and destroy everything that is open and honest — people are finally starting to see this and that is potentially the death of MSFT.

By: Jas Dhaliwal

Jas Dhaliwal — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 06:27:03 +0000

Whilst suggesting that Microsoft is dead, or even at least dying is clearly bull. I’m more surprised about how emotional people feel about this really “non story”.
There are indeed some elements that make sense. I’ve respected Microsoft for years. Hell, its because of Windows I’m in the IT industry. Microsoft DOES listen to its customers, however it takes too long for things to change. Why did we have to wait so long for IE7? Clearly, many wrote off the browser, but now look at it today. Its rapidly eating FireFox’s market share, because its a great product
The company is still doing great innovative stuff. (xbox 360) Granted, it doesn’t get it right all the time, but it learning from its mistakes. Look how it worked hard to turn the tide on its security problems.
What we need, is Microsoft “Web Celebs” Evalangists on steroids. Promoting web technologies for everyone and not just for big business
The M$ security team have Steve Riley and he does a smashing job at promoting security issues for the industry. But where’s someone similar for the Web?
Microsoft certainly isn’t dead, though with the new season approaching, I’d like to see existing bloggers evolving to the next level. Quick someone give them a Hi-Def camera quick!
Intel Vs AMD ?
ATI Vs nVidia ?
Google Vs Microsoft?
Funny how no one talks about gTalk? You see Google gets things wrong sometimes too..
We don’t care. Its all about the compelling end user experience. Give me Speed, Service and Simplicity.

By: steve clayton

steve clayton — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 05:43:18 +0000

Don — I’m listening. I may not be the next Scoble but that’s solid, actionable feedback on Live maps and Soapbox. i can’t say I can get it fixed but I can try by taking your comments and sending them to people who I know listen. thanks
Steve

By: steve clayton

steve clayton — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 05:39:39 +0000

geoff, Vista has a few more things than just fancy graphics. I mean come on, we didn’t spend 5 years just doing graphics

By: Dave Armstrong

Dave Armstrong — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:43:36 +0000

As a 30 year software developer veteran I can say with great comfort, “Microsoft has been very, very good to me.” I like the money and the weekly phone calls and Emails from recruiters that have seen my Monster resume. My M.B.A. is paying off. My ego and my bank account are bulging. I am having lots of fun. Life is good …

By: Don Crowley

Don Crowley — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:11:46 +0000

I’ve used windows, linux and Mac OSX (which I use at the moment). I don’t hate Microsoft. I’m not a fan, but I do like it when they kick ass. Kicking ass is about features and the human voice. I see Microsoft changing. They have great people working for them like Ray Ozzie for starters.
I really think they need a new CEO. When I think of Steve Balmer I think ‘redneck’, ‘loud mouthed’, ‘arrogant’ and a nut shouting ‘developers, developers…’. It is image, because Microsoft is changing under Steve Balmer.
The features: Live maps are beautiful, but it has no open API. The satellite images ouside America suck (it needs both yesterday). Microsoft Video called soapbox, great quality. I just cannot log on using Firefox on my Mac. I want to use your stuff. You are locking me out or not providing features. Key is — make it easy to use your stuff and for non microsoft users to user Microsoft produced content. Do not stand in our way, help us to get from A to B.
I have written to Microsoft. No reply. Microsoft needs another open blogger with a human voice like Scoble. Scoble has not been replaced. Microsoft very much needs that human voice.

By: Robert de Forest

Robert de Forest — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:36:16 +0000

It’s hard for me to take Dave Winer’s post seriously when he attacks a position Paul didn’t take. Hugh, were you being sarcastic when you described Dave’s response as “some wise and informed perspective”?

By: Geoff Lane

Geoff Lane — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 15:01:00 +0000

For a company with zillions in the bank, Microsoft seems curiously unable to do anything new and exciting. “Copy what Apple does” used to be the joke, but now seems to be the only policy used by the management.
Does Vista have any wow-factor? If I wanted fancy graphical shells, Apple has stuff that is already proven in the market place. But far too often we see pretty graphics as a replacement for good user interface design. Does DRM do anything for _me_? No it doesn’t.
MS has been coasting for at least 10 years.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 07:34:02 +0000

I like both Apple and Microsoft. I have Apple at work and a PC at home. I don't give a rat's ass which does what, who's evil and arrogant, who's not..blah, blah, blah. Perhaps I don't give a rat's ass because I have an actual life (a husband, a challenging job, a family, places to go, bills to pay, friends to see). Or perhaps it's because I realize that even if I hated one or both of them, it wouldn't change a damn thing... oh, and no one would give a rat's ass if I hated one or both of them anyway. Besides, neither one would be any good w/o the other. But I really love the comments from cry-baby "former readers" or "soon-to-be former readers", hysterical. I will always be a reader Hugh. Even if I don't agree with you, reading an opposing point of view is good for people, whether they realize or not. Michelle

By: adp

adp — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 06:53:39 +0000

It’s not about facts, Steve, it’s about emotion. As my classmate told me recently: “osX loves me.” It’s the power of great design.
Wasn’t Hugh’s one-word manifesto: “Love.”
Hugh, I can’t wait to see what you do with this “global megabrand”.…..
al.

By: steve clayton

steve clayton — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 03:35:14 +0000

Definitely not a Microsoft fan then Joachim eh? Kind of weird that you cite Microsoft as greedy and arrogant though given the cost of Apple gear by comparison to PC’s and the recent Mac vs. PC ads
Love to know where you see the arrogance in the products too. Lets hear some of those factual experiences here too…lets get it all out in the open. Oh and steer clear of AJAX as Microsoft is a BIG supporter of that.

By: alan p

alan p — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 01:54:32 +0000

Oh.…and the New Question for Microsoft is:
“How do we make a profitable company, based on the assumption that all *software* will one day be free?