Can Microsoft keep its course?
Previously I commented on an article by Tech diva John C Dvorak about Microsoft being dead in the water. Among the assertions made by Dvorak and myself were the issues of internal mismanagement and panic. The following are a few more comments regarding the topic with some more current information.
Windows Vista loses another major feature: Microsoft's WinFS blog announced yesterday that all development of the WinFS secure file system will immediately cease and that there will be no more future betas. The reason they provide is that although WinFS itself was not completed, it spun off other technologies that proved to be better solutions, such as work in SQL and ADO.NET. This still means, however, that another feature touted at the core of the upcoming Vista will not be available for its release, and will perhaps never be shipped with any MS products of the future.
Mismanagement as revealed from within: A blog by a Microsoft developer recently provided a flurry of activity on digg.com as it outlined the behemoth tasks MS has faced in trying to publish Windows Vista. It speaks of a remaining attitude of belittlement that stifles innovation within the company, the burgeoning complexity of trying to have one piece of software be everything to everybody, and the poor decision making mechanisms of a company intolerant of truth. Of course, to hear this from a lead developer in Microsoft was a verification from the horse's mouth regarding the mismanagement issue. Perhaps to avoid reproach from his employer and certainly to prevent his entry from being quoted by MS haters, the entry was very quickly removed from the site, further heating the debate. It is once again back in its fullness, comments and all.
Two key MS players leave: Microsoft will see the departure of head visionary Bill Gates in 2008, freeing him to devote more time to his generous philanthropic efforts. As a given, Bill will still likely maintain a divested interest in his company, although his direct involvement will likely diminish. The departure of 13-year company veteran Martin Taylor came shortly thereafter with no reasons disclosed. In his tenure at Microsoft, Taylor waged the "Get the Facts" campaing against linux adoption and served directly under Steve Ballmer. With the corporate loss of his long-time friend Bill and his principal aide Martin, will Steve exhibit the gusto needed to drive the megalithic company? According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the answer is NO, citing investor concerns at the direction MS has taken in the last few years. They have consistently lost rank in the crucial areas of internet business and digital music which have become dominanted by Google and Apple, respectively.
Steve Ballmer has already expressed his personal and business concerns about competition from the likes of Google, no doubt a major issue on his agenda. Will he exhibit wisdom in organizing the system and mustering the troops against the competition? Can he keep Vista on target? Does he have the leadership required to recoup the 60% loss in share value the company has incurred since he became CEO?
Windows Vista loses another major feature: Microsoft's WinFS blog announced yesterday that all development of the WinFS secure file system will immediately cease and that there will be no more future betas. The reason they provide is that although WinFS itself was not completed, it spun off other technologies that proved to be better solutions, such as work in SQL and ADO.NET. This still means, however, that another feature touted at the core of the upcoming Vista will not be available for its release, and will perhaps never be shipped with any MS products of the future.
Mismanagement as revealed from within: A blog by a Microsoft developer recently provided a flurry of activity on digg.com as it outlined the behemoth tasks MS has faced in trying to publish Windows Vista. It speaks of a remaining attitude of belittlement that stifles innovation within the company, the burgeoning complexity of trying to have one piece of software be everything to everybody, and the poor decision making mechanisms of a company intolerant of truth. Of course, to hear this from a lead developer in Microsoft was a verification from the horse's mouth regarding the mismanagement issue. Perhaps to avoid reproach from his employer and certainly to prevent his entry from being quoted by MS haters, the entry was very quickly removed from the site, further heating the debate. It is once again back in its fullness, comments and all.
Two key MS players leave: Microsoft will see the departure of head visionary Bill Gates in 2008, freeing him to devote more time to his generous philanthropic efforts. As a given, Bill will still likely maintain a divested interest in his company, although his direct involvement will likely diminish. The departure of 13-year company veteran Martin Taylor came shortly thereafter with no reasons disclosed. In his tenure at Microsoft, Taylor waged the "Get the Facts" campaing against linux adoption and served directly under Steve Ballmer. With the corporate loss of his long-time friend Bill and his principal aide Martin, will Steve exhibit the gusto needed to drive the megalithic company? According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the answer is NO, citing investor concerns at the direction MS has taken in the last few years. They have consistently lost rank in the crucial areas of internet business and digital music which have become dominanted by Google and Apple, respectively.
Steve Ballmer has already expressed his personal and business concerns about competition from the likes of Google, no doubt a major issue on his agenda. Will he exhibit wisdom in organizing the system and mustering the troops against the competition? Can he keep Vista on target? Does he have the leadership required to recoup the 60% loss in share value the company has incurred since he became CEO?
posted by mrbiotech at
2:16 PM
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