http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/ Engadget Comments for Former Microsoft VP Dick Brass weighs in on why Microsoft 'no longer brings us the future' http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
I have heard in past an insider opinion that MS has too much career managers. After couple of "good" years on mid-management position in MS one can easily find a top management position in smaller company. That attracts lots of people to the management positions who want their time in MS to be as safe as possible. Obviously innovations bear lots of risks and consequently gets shuffled on mid-management level.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
I have btw recalled the context. It was about testing: why in MS no manager want to be responsible for the testing. When testing software, one makes few friends and receives even less positive recommendations. What also looks bad on manager's CV so nobody picks the job.

Innovations I think are in the same boat.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
I have some really good friends that have worked at Microsoft. Every one of them complained of this. Doing things "different" is looked down upon. That is why they no longer work there.

The other thing they have mentioned to me is that there is a "kiss-ass" culture. Know this happens at every large company, but apparently at Microsoft, it is over the top.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
Undoubtedly a lot of it is true. That doesn't stop him from coming across as a bitter ex-employee who left over 5 years ago (when MS were crap) who isn't really up to speed with the massive change that's taken place over the last 2 years.

Just sayin']]>Feb 4th 2010 12:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
MS lost its capability to innovate a few years ago ( maybe after Billy retired?) , it still produces some solid products because of the sheer mass of its quality filled human capital and their legacy patents and because it can play catch up with products from really innovative companies.
I guess that being a big multinational company and being nimble at the same time is not an easy feat to achieve.
I remember an interview with L. Page and S. Brin in which more or less they said that they see MS as a warning and as a constant reminder of what Google has to strive never to become.
Well it seems to have worked: Google is a big multinational giant and it still managed to mantain most of its nimbleness and much of its innovative capability.
Chapeau (as my french mom used to say).]]>Feb 4th 2010 8:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/This is something accountants love because it allows every business unit to have relavance to the bottom line. It may be a no-bid situation, but having to "purchase" from your own company keeps internal-only departments constrained. On the flip side, if you have to purchase from your own business units - managers may forgo using a service that keeps the internal department up and running. Simple solutions don't always get the right answer.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Just because some guy who used to work there 6 years ago says it's dead, it doesn't actually mean it's still true.

It's not like they'll still be sending him updates.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
The font or the tablet?]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
no, but if he worked in the company for 7 years you'd assume he made a friend or two along the way that he still has contact with.

while i won't take his words for the whole truth, i don't think you can dismiss them completely either.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 3:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
fortunately kittridge, business relationships are a bit different than those you formed in elementry school. in business, what "connections" you have sometimes give you more value then your actual skill set.

if he was a VP in microsoft, i'd assume he was smart enough to appreciate maintaining those contacts.]]>Feb 4th 2010 3:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 10:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
Also, why should Cleartype have been the default setting in 2001, when XP shipped? It only works with LCDs, and LCDs were few and far between back then.

Sounds like a lot of rather meaningless bla bla to me.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
MS research licenses their tech to 3rd parties to develop. So even if MS doesn't turn the promising ones into products it is likely someone else will.
]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
i think Microsoft has a lot of great stuff coming out of R&D its just not a lot of it is actually ending up as real products.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
You nailed the problem right on its head. Now if someone can just answer the 64 billion dollar question: Why?]]>Feb 4th 2010 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Very true, a number of very cool and interesting things come out of Microsoft Research, but the true measure of innovation that we're looking at on a broader scale is what makes it to consumers. The courier tablet will do little good for the industry as a whole unless it actually makes its way to maturity and gets out into the world.
The same with the Surface team's Second Light, the demo video of that blew my socks off, but I have yet to see that kind of technology implemented in the real world, and to me that's a little sad. I want to see these crazy concepts succeed, and unfortunately they don't often go beyond a leaked video or two.
I can't speak quite as specifically to IBM's research arm, but my impression is that more of that makes it to the real world. Mind you, a lot of that isn't meant for direct consumer consumption, but rather for companies to license/use, so it's harder for me to gauge how much of it makes it to market.]]>Feb 4th 2010 3:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/I remember at the time it also seemed to slow down some of the (low end) hardware we had back then. I often left it switched off for speed.]]>Feb 5th 2010 5:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
Because a.) a lot of other Microsoft employees and ex-employees have talked about it, b.) his story jibes with what we all see from the outside: a stagnant, bumbling company living on past glories, and c.) his story follows the familiar pattern exhibited by companies that have successfully monopolized their markets.

My only objection to the article being reviewed is the title: "Microsoft's Creative Destruction". "Microsoft's Creative Self-Destruction" is more accurate.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
a.) Who are these "a lot of other Microsoft employees and ex-employees"? I know a couple of ex-microsoft employees who have moved onto other things, and they bitch about every company they have worked for too.

b.) Who is "we all"? I'm not entirely sure where you are coming from. Personally I see Windows 7, WM7, Natal, the Courier concept etc. as non-stagnant.

c.) What I see more from this following trends of large companies, is perhaps the usual empire-building, politics and in-fighting, something that every single large company has to some degree and rampant in government agencies.]]>Feb 4th 2010 7:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
Apple might not have much under the hood but dang is she sexy and just showing up to the party demanding attention. Microsoft on the other hand brings the goods but sends a guy in a khakis with a slideshow presentation and can't figure out why no one thinks they are hot.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/What a silly overgeneralization. One of the reasons macs gained serious traction in the 2000s was because many people (including a significant fraction of geeks who didnt want to use linux for various reasons) found OS X to be superior to the stale XP. Microsoft didnt really strike back until last year with 7]]>Feb 4th 2010 1:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
Excuse me I need to go get a hug from Yeoman Chambers...]]>Feb 4th 2010 1:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 2:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
The fact is, neither is true today. With Vista MS tried to move towards a "sexier" experience with Windows, and with 7 they seem to have nailed it pretty well. At the same time, OS X has more an more power with every version. We've gone to more powerful Intel CPUs, 64 bit, and now things like OpenCL to get every last bit of power.

I'm on neither side at all. I have a PC and a Mac in front of me now, both working in perfect harmony doing their own things, but I can't honestly tell friends that one is pretty and one is functional anymore. With Windows 7, Windows has become a VERY good OS in nearly all aspects, but with 10.5 and now 10.6, OS X has done the same.

I'd say the playing fields are getting MUCH more even these days.]]>Feb 4th 2010 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
Right or wrong (and I own Mac and Windows machines cause I swing both ways) average people may love their windows box but they are still aware that Apple = sexy, cool and hip right now. Is it true? Many say it's just brilliant marketing (which it is) but perception counts more than truth in our society which gives them the upper hand.

]]>Feb 4th 2010 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
I think most people get an idea in their head and are never willing to change their mind. A lot of people may have heard people talking about how PCs were boring and Macs were just pretty and useless, and now that things changed, they still continue to think the same way.

Things change though. As much of a power user as I am, I use my Mac on a daily basis and have a very hard time trying to find something I can do on my Windows PC that I can't do on my Mac. With 7 and 10.6 I really do think the playing fields are even. I don't see either as better than the other now.]]>Feb 4th 2010 4:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 5th 2010 7:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
And then there is the thinking that the shareholders are the customers.

The good news is given the poor design (sorry implementation since it wasn't really designed) of Office 2007 I would not be suprised to see MS lose that too. ]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
I've escaped the corporate world (for now) and it is true, from small to giant companies, that the mindset of low-risk, high-exposure or I'm not touching it mindset kills creative thinking and innovation.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
So you know of some other product that can encapsulate encrypted IPv6 traffic through the IPv4 HTTP protocol and re-assemble the IPv6 packets at the other end, operated at the machine level, and allows a laptop user to be always connected to his home LAN without having to initiate a VPN?
]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6to4]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
That is not the same thing. Let me try to explain.

With Windows 7 your machine can operate as if it connected to a switch in your sever room wherever it is in the world if it has internet access. Proxy's and firewalls won't break the connection as the packets can be wrapped in standard IPv4 protocols such as HTTP.

It isn't a routing stopgap like the article you mentioned.
]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/Feb 4th 2010 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/It might not be fair to the incompetent boobs running the stagnant company but I don't think Mr. Brass will be getting any hate mail from the stockholders who are all probably wondering whether the company has any mojo left at all.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
Microsoft needs a visionary leader that is passionate enough to get into the trenches to lead things. No offense to the current upper management of MS - but from the press it seems like they are all just money guys. And, yeah, that is important.

Man, I would love the job of company visionary. I bet a lot of Engadget visitors would too (and do a great job!). The problem is, like breaking in the movie business, there is a lot of talent and vision that will never stand the chance of leading a tech army to success.]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
It isn't so much a Microsoft problem as it's a peek into a larger US corporation problem of having the wrong set of goals - Self Image > Shareholders > Sales > Innovation]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/former-microsoft-vp-dick-brass-weighs-in-on-why-microsoft-no-lo/
The author's description of MS as a "fast and effective follower" may be both kind and true, but I also believe Microsoft innovates as well. They just don't seem to be defining the industry with their visions.. Google and Apple are somehow able to influence the future via adoption when they release products. Moreover, the things that Microsoft is most innovative on are never really pushed to the forefront (Courier for example, speech, plenty of Labs and Research stuff) except in the few cases where the public begged for it, like PhotoSynth.

Thngs are different now though. Ideas seem to be implemented when they are thought up (look at Bing's excellent Maps product made in Silverlight). It shows where they are hungry. As was said the company is "obviously strong at the moment" and therefore something's going on for them.. They have my admiration and I hope they live up to it be ***releasing product*** with great new ideas.

Just so it doesn't seem like I'm giving them free pass: These guys are really wasting lots of opportunity to introduce NEW. Picasa and iPhoto came and obliterated Windows Live on Face tagging and recognition. Office 2010 looks a whole lot like Office 2007.. better, but 2007 was really innovative so this could be more. Zune is awesome, why does WMP12 suck compared to WMP11? List goes on]]>Feb 4th 2010 12:34PM