As a Microsoft employee, I am very excited about what Microsoft has in store for programmers, servers, home users, and the Internet. These plans are largely not comprehended outside of the company.
Within the company, I don't see the egotism perceived by some. In recent years, more and more effort has been placed on pleasing the customer. The software I'm working on is very strategic, innovative, and powerful. Yet its release date is listed after several betas, and as "Our customers tell us when it's ready to release."
To Charles Tutt's expression of dissatisfaction with Microsoft's software, I wonder if his exposure is mostly limited to Win9x. It will be a great day when Whistler (Windows 2001) has support for the drivers/applications important to home consumers still using Win9x, so that the dissatisfaction with Win9x will be history. Sometimes I wish Windows 2000 had a different name, because people don't understand how different Win2000 is from Win9x.
I don't see the settlement failures as egotism, but as failed cooperation between the DOJ and States. This is backed by Bill Gates' email to employees where he states:
"The biggest problem in the negotiations was that, right up to the end, the states and the DOJ were never on the same page. I think we could have reached a settlement if the other side had spoken with one voice and taken reasonable positions, but the divisions and extreme views on the other side made it impossible."
and Posner's statement that:
"I particularly want to emphasize that the collapse of the mediation is not due to any lack of skill, flexibility, energy, determination, or professionalism on the part of the Department of Justice and Microsoft Corporation." (no States mentioned)
It is unfortunate that the stock won't see a settlement spurt, yet Microsoft will:
1. Appeal if necessary
2. Make concessions that make competition more fair
3. Still be able to improve its software as every other company has the right
4. Release the incredible software that is in the works
Mr. Tutt, as a former Novell employee who used to feel like you, I can testify that the insides of Microsoft are different than some people perceive it. Software quality and customer satisfaction are the primary concern. Never the less, I hope we can make up for some of the problems you've experienced by releasing better software in the future.
Good luck all,
David |
