Windows Live rooted in MSN's past

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Yes. I have a quote for you...

"People don't want bug features, they want new features."

quoting: WHG III
(William Henry Gates, 3rd

ca. mid-to-late 90s


Want another one?

"Success is a lousy teacher. It makes smart people think they can't lose."
again, WHG III.

Then again, in 1994, he said, "in 1996, it will be the year of voice: voice synthesis, voice interpretation, voice everything".

And finally, "I don't care what the Information Superhighway looks like as long as I have a tollbooth on it." (ca. 96? 97?)


Microsoft's problem is they are trying to evolve from the desktop to the Internet. Companies such as...hmmm, let's pick Google as an example, started with and are remaining on the Internet. They have no origin to travel from - they're already there. No preconceived mindset, bias. They've chosen to drop a few things onto the Windows Desktop (Google Desktop, Google Earth[1], et alia), but those are side issues, dalliances, or as I used to call them, "coffee break projects". But Google is built that way - a requirement for working x% of their time "out of the desk drawer" as the saying used to be (things you aren't supposed to work on because they aren't on the official work so you keep them hidden in your desk drawer.

The bottom line is Microsoft wants to make the Internet an extension of their desktop philosophy. Interacting with the Internet as it stands at any given moment (and as it changes) is secondary. Google (and most of the rest of the world) want to make the Internet, using the features, standards, and anything else which can be construed to be a tool, cooler than it is today without worrying about whose long-term plan it is to make it work "their way". Adding new standards & ideas along the way just makes even more possibilities and features available.

There's an interesting, effective?, ploy by Mr. Ballmer against Google. Can you guess what it is? Do you hear him reference Google in any fashion *except* "search" or "search engine"? No. And you aren't going to. He's trying to sell everyone on the concept Google is a one-trick pony: a search engine with a bunch of side-frills, but still a search engine. Being able to organize & manipulate information (or anything else Google does now, has announced on their web pages, or has said to anyone) is not what Microsoft wants you to associate with Google.

Google == Search

Nothing more.

p.s.

There *is* one other funny quirk about Mr.Gates: Mrs. Gates. Most former position: Microsoft program manager. Product: Microsoft Bob.

Never seen Microsoft Bob?

I strongly suggest you Google a copy and take a gander. I have a copy I received at a PDC in 94. My ribs hurt so much from laughing after installing it...I could almost picture Microsoft employees trying to push the **** back into the horse.

Posted by: Mihi Nomen Est   Posted on: 11/05/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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