Version: 2008

Comments on: Ballmer on search: 'I don't like not being No. 1'

In his Silicon Valley chat, the Microsoft chief executive says it's going to be a long haul in the search battle with Google. He also talks phones and Windows.

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by jltnol--2008 September 25, 2008 8:56 PM PDT
Hopefully, MS won't be #1 in anything before too long.....
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by badmojo42 September 25, 2008 9:50 PM PDT
Let me guess jltnol-2008, MAC fan?

Stupid users.... no idea that computers are used for so many more things than email, web and picture editing.
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by rnaoncfixd September 26, 2008 8:59 AM PDT
Excuse me, but that is some graphic designer's job you described right there.
by trd1282 September 25, 2008 10:05 PM PDT
yea badmojo42, things like 3d cad production, web design, movie making, etc. etc.; all of which I do on my mac...

we were given choice, we chose mac, we get just as much done... stupid elitist.
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by Vegaman_Dan September 26, 2008 9:00 AM PDT
Changing video cards, upgrading hardware, playing the latest games, running Photoshop CS4 natively in 64 bit...

Linux and Windows PC's can do this without any issue. The Apple platform cannot and that was by Apple's choice to limit your 'choice'. Deal with it. Don't fixate on an 'us vs. them' mentality. You pick your OS and use it as you need to.
by HlLLARY CLITON September 25, 2008 10:12 PM PDT
I can't wait for the Zune Phone
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by ralfthedog September 25, 2008 11:14 PM PDT
Windows reached it's peak with Windows 2000. Every product sense has piled on useless features that have degraded performance. Microsoft can't gain market share in the OS market or Office. The only way Microsoft can sell new products is by getting people to "Upgrade". They do this by adding layer after layer of bloat.

Adding complexity subtracts quality. It is time for all software vendors to start selling simplicity.
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by meski.oz September 28, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
Yes, they have piled on additional features in XP and Vista, but turn those features off[1], and you have an improved OS compared to W2k. W2k was a dog in a lot of respects, taking it off the list of OSs that have to be supported helped a lot of applications.

[1] Aero and XP Themes come to mind immediately
by t8 September 26, 2008 1:57 AM PDT
Ballmer search is not a five year battle for you. Even if you get better than Google (although that will never happen as long as you carry the weight of Windows development) your name Microsoft is not synonymous with quality and lite and fast apps.

Google has built its brand on these qualities.

Microsoft is fat and the fit and cool companies have a better image than you.

In short, you have an image problem. Try changing that one in 5 years too.
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by jolejniczak September 26, 2008 2:08 AM PDT
Why does Microsoft have to be number 1 in every aspect of "computers". It seems that they should stick to what they do well. They need to concentrate on making a better OS. Let the other guys do what they do well (Google, Apple, etc). Stop trying to play catch up and be an innovator again. You don't see truck manufacturers trying to compete with GoodYear to make better tires.
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by ralfthedog September 26, 2008 6:16 AM PDT
The problem is Microsoft does not make a good OS. They may have the most volume, but they have the lowest quality OS of all competitors.
by skillingssucks September 26, 2008 1:00 PM PDT
"...be an innovator again". Again? Microsoft has never had a culture of innovation, so there's no "again".
by jaspal.m September 26, 2008 3:30 AM PDT
Truck manufacturer is not allowed to make tires...it is against the law....
I dont understand,,when google start office alike for free,people say that google is going to kill microsoft and microsoft is stupid,,,but when microsoft start to compete with google,they say microsoft should do what they are best in or they are totally fool...
Mac users are against microsoft,,,i dont understand why ....where as there nothing much different,other than UI,,and in real its microsoft OS which is best,,,dont you know that microsoft got the most share in OS.
And Microsoft not only reach its peak,,it also have accomplish its mission,as more than 90% of computers uses Windows,it is apple product which reach its peak.
I dont understand you people have to say windows is stupid and apple is great where as you people knows the truth.
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by ralfthedog September 26, 2008 6:37 AM PDT
Architecturally Windows is randomly thrown together garbage. We don't like Windows (or any Microsoft products) memory footprint. We don't like the percentage of clock cycles it eats. we don't like the number of processes it runs. We hate the registry We don't like the licensing.

Linux, BSD and OS X don't count CALs. Linux, BSD and OS X don't make non corporate users type in a serial number. They don't require an internet connection for activation (They don't have activation). Operating system configuration with Linux, BSD and OSX is not done with some stupid registry. it is done with well documented and well commented text files. Want to uninstall an application, just delete it's directory.

If you want to run a server, your only good choice is Linux or some color of BSD. If you want a front end for that server or a platform for users to run applications OS X is the best choice. If you want to play games, get Windows.
by Vegaman_Dan September 26, 2008 9:04 AM PDT
Raifthedog wrote:

"Architecturally Windows is randomly thrown together garbage. We don't like Windows (or any Microsoft products) memory footprint. We don't like the percentage of clock cycles it eats. we don't like the number of processes it runs. We hate the registry We don't like the licensing. "

Please defend iTunes which has exactly the same issues that you pointed out, plus a plethora of more. The last time I checked, Microsoft wasn't installing Media Player or Zune software, or even IE and other applications onto your computer without your knowledge or approval. Quicktime installs all of that extra stuff unless you are quick enough to disable it. Even then, you still get iTunes and its content even if you don't own or use an iPod.
by hounddoglgs September 26, 2008 3:23 PM PDT
@Vegaman_Dan

"The last time I checked, Microsoft wasn't installing Media Player or Zune software, or even IE and other applications onto your computer without your knowledge or approval."

Are you kidding me? What planet have you been on? Did you miss the antitrust suit that was brought against M$ over their software bundling, specifically IE? And yes it comes preinstalled on every damn Wndows PC out there. More fanboy FUD on the boards...
by inachu September 26, 2008 3:55 AM PDT
Microsoft search tool does not make him #1.
I do not use Windows Desktop search no matter how hard they try and try to install it on my pc.
MS search technology is worse than infoseek back in 1997.
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by Dandy55 September 26, 2008 9:33 AM PDT
Isn't it nice to have such a strong opinion about something you even not installed!
And you can even compare it to infoseek in 1997 - which you didn't install either, I believe...
by maverick_nick September 26, 2008 3:56 AM PDT
A software company is as strong as its developer base. Microsoft has the best development tools and the largest development base. End users are blind when it comes to true genius, therefore they can't see what a great operating system Vista truly is. With Vista, Microsoft overhauled the platform and it was a mega undertaking - so a few problems here and there are acceptable. Now that the platform is done, future versions of the OS will only get better. I think that you guys are going to be in for a big surprise come Windows 7 - especially with regard to 3rd party software.
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by Earthlin September 26, 2008 7:02 AM PDT
Good show fanboy. You must be on their payroll. You know full well that VISTA is a copy of Mac OS X and a bad copy at that. Windows 7 will likely follow the same trend. True geniuses ... yeah right! Pure geniuses at copying and screwing things up even more releases after releases. It's hard to do when you have an army of developpers working for you. Real talent indeed.
by The_happy_switcher September 26, 2008 9:36 AM PDT
Is it April Fool's day already?
by skillingssucks September 26, 2008 1:04 PM PDT
You're either incredibly naive or stupid...or you're just being sarcastic.
by Earthlin September 26, 2008 5:50 AM PDT
What a heap of horse manure Monkeyboy is spreading. He is scared ******** of Apple and RIM and so he claims that they are niche players in the cellular business. Guess what Monkeyboy, Apple and RIM are the leaders in the smartphone market, and light years ahead of Windows Mobile. And the future is even more grim for Microshaft. Microshaft will become a niche player, if a player at all ... in all fronts.
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by maverick_nick September 26, 2008 6:04 AM PDT
Your comment demonstrates your utter lack of knowledge with regard to Microsoft, and Microsoft products. The capabilities of Windows Mobile far exceeds that of either Apple and RIM. Also, sales of Windows Mobile devices out number Apple's by more than 100%.
by Vegaman_Dan September 26, 2008 9:07 AM PDT
It is unlikely that corporations will adopt the iPhone into their networks. Since the device runs all applications as root with zero restrictions and no provisions to give it any sort of security from external influence, it becomes a perfect trojan vector to get into networks. This isn't likely to change any time soon due to Apple's tight control over the device.
by The_happy_switcher September 26, 2008 9:39 AM PDT
Finally, another poster on this board who isn't a Microsoft frigtard. Welcome aboard, and keep on posting!
by ideahunter September 26, 2008 5:52 AM PDT
Microsoft would be better served to *choose* to be #1 in something, instead of trying to be a half-baked "stomp the competition" #1 in everything. Companies that spread themselves out too much usually end up in trouble. Even master-of-conglomerate GE has been trimming itself down in the past few years. I think it is very likely Microsoft will never gain back the position it had in the mid to late 90's unless they choose to target fewer areas in the tech world..
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by Penguinisto September 26, 2008 6:20 AM PDT
Ballmer misses the point: There's a vast difference between "being #1", and delivering top-quality software and solutions.

Google rose to the top because their main product is consistently tops in quality. No, not perfect, but certainly better than anything else out there.

Apple is rocketing in the consumer market because they set out to deliver a top quality product - not because there's some drive to somehow prove that their corporate pen!s is larger than everyone else's. Linux rose to prominence in the server room for the same reasons - the drive to deliver elegant solutions and to provide the best performance.

In the Cell space, RIM and Symbian are top-slot for the same reasons - they delivered products that people wanted and liked... and the iPhone is rising rapidly for the same reasons. Windows Mobile is languishing because, well... by and large, they don't.

There was once a time when Microsoft focused on quality (to a degree), plus a combination of luck, marketing, and timing which got them to where they are today. Judging from Windows' falling marketshare in the consumer space, and the debacle of Vista, it seems that quality is something Microsoft is having a harder and harder time with. Folks don't want to merely put up with Windows anymore... they want more. Apple and Linux are giving them more.

If Ballmer wants his company to survive 10 years hence (and not go the way of, oh, Unisys), Quality had damned well better become his top priority, not this infantile drive to become top dog.

/P
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by inachu September 26, 2008 6:45 AM PDT
Microsoft will sell their company to China within 20 years.
by Vegaman_Dan September 26, 2008 9:10 AM PDT
Penguinisto is right on. Mac has done well in consumer level stuff as it is well designed for that purpose. It's shiny, pretty, and the UI is dumbed down enough from the BSD backend to keep end uers from getting into trouble by tapping into the power under the hood. For geeks, they can get to that functionality pretty easily.

It doesn't do well in a business market for desktop use. The adoption rate simply isn't there as Apple doesn't have a support model available to give the guarantees needed.


Linux is good for servers. Again, not so much for business use in desktops for the same reason as for Apple.

Use whatever product works for you and your needs. Badmouth everything Microsoft as Penguinisto is wont to do, and you are only fooling yourself. Face facts and the reality of the situation. Deal with it. Use what works for you.
by Penguinisto September 26, 2008 4:38 PM PDT
Hiya, Dan - I find it interesting that you've happily painted MSFT into a "business desktop" corner, which is (IMHO) about the only real raison d'etre they have left (at least outside of increasingly niche markets, like tablets).

Note that I'm not saying all of this (or the original post) to "badmouth" Microsoft, but because they actually have an opportunity to make a positive difference, but MSFT is consistently failing to recognize, let alone implement necessary changes.

They had a chance to break with the shackles of the past w/ Vista (as OSX did from MacOS), but instead they keep stretching NT to see how far it can stretch. The cracks are showing, and it's all beginning to falter for them. Nowadays, MSFT appears to just be praying that Moore's Law can eventually do what they themselves are failing to do: provide performance to go with the featureset (what features they do provide, that is).

Dude, that's no way to run a biz - and it's a sure way to insure one's own decline as a market force.

No skin off mine, but it'll be interesting to see where the MSFT defenders are as its marketshare gets smaller and smaller, in more and more markets...
by ralfthedog September 26, 2008 6:43 AM PDT
Microsoft makes a good gaming platform. I think they should retire Windows and the Office products, then focus on the X Box.
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by tundraboy September 26, 2008 7:48 AM PDT
Why I am against Microsoft.

If you commit a crime and get convicted for it, you forfeit whatever benefits you got from the crime. If you stole money, you are forced to return it. If you kill your parents, you cannot inherit their wealth.

Microsoft was convicted of committing a crime namely,

(i) that it monopolized the market for operating systems of personal computers and took anti-competitive actions to illegally maintain its monopoly;

(ii) that it attempted to monopolize the market for Internet browsers because such browsers would create competition for operating systems;

(iii) that it bundled its browser (Internet Explorer) with Windows; and that it engaged in a number of other anti-competitive exclusionary arrangements with computer manufacturers, Internet service providers, and content providers attempting to thwart the distribution of Netscape?s browser.

And yet the benefits they got from that crime were never taken away from them. They still have an OS monopoly, they still have a browser monopoly. And I doubt very much that they are now upstanding corporate citizens when it comes to predatory monopolistic behavior.

That's why I am against Microsoft.
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by meski.oz September 28, 2008 7:34 PM PDT
"And I doubt very much that they are now upstanding corporate citizens when it comes to predatory monopolistic behavior."

upstanding corporate citizens == predatory monopolistic behaviour

Assuming the definition of upstanding corporate citizens is to make profit, and most shareholders would be assuming that :)
by Renegade Knight September 26, 2008 7:52 AM PDT
On Windows Related Headaches. Sent in a Vista Comp. for repair. The idiots reformatted my drive (mainboard was bad. Not the drive) and yet again I'm fighting Vista trying to get it to work. No Vista is not better than XP.

On Search: No you don't need to redefine the catagory unless you like being Number 1 in a small niche. If you want to be number 1 you provide relevant search results in a format that is useful. Just do it better than the other guys. Simple eh?
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by meski.oz September 28, 2008 7:38 PM PDT
How is the repair company reformatting your drive related to Vista vs XP? Would you not have the same problems when they reformatted your XP drive?

To get back to the subject: I haven't seen a Microsoft spawned search yet that I've used willingly, if Google is there.
by Universal_Indie_Records September 26, 2008 8:39 AM PDT
Ok not all Mac Users hate Mircosoft. I use the Mac as a platform because that's my personal choice but I also use Microsoft Office and have no desire to see MS fail as a company.

I do think that MS spreads themselves really thin by trying to be a "jack of all trades" and they turn out being a "master of none".
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by TotallyMadeUpName September 26, 2008 9:10 AM PDT
What does "Every version of Windows statistically... gets better than versions before," mean? Statistically? Does that mean "as opposed to ACTUALLY"?
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by The_happy_switcher September 26, 2008 9:34 AM PDT
He definitely looks like a steaming pile of number 2 to me.
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by zmonster September 26, 2008 10:59 AM PDT
Microsoft is unfortunately a bankrupt company -- bankrupt of ideas, bankrupt of talent, and bankrupt of leadership (most importantly). They are dying a slow, ugly death. The Windows installed base will steadily shrink over the next decade in favor of Linux and Mac OS. I predict the company will be forced into financial bankruptcy even before that, possibly by 2015.
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