Why is it a Bad Wolf?
Recently I’ve been reading a lot from Hugh MacLeod and a really interesting project in trying to make people thing a little differently about Microsoft.
It’s called the Blue Monster project.It’s got me thinking on the why it has got to this stage, why has Microsoft been seen as the bad guy for so long when they have actually changed the world.
That’s right, I reckon that Microsoft has changed the world for the better.
To be totally clear: I think the world is better for having Microsoft in it.
Have they been naughty? Yes. Very. Has this helped in making MSFT seem a company that you can relate to? Hell no. Which is a shame.
Being a geeky fuckwit I get to see a side of Microsoft that those outside the digital industry rarely see. The enthusiasm for the work that each employee has for the work they are doing.If you have some time I would totally recommend watching this video from the developer community site, Channel 9. And if you liked that then have a look at Bill’s next video. in fact have a treat to yourself by listening to Bill Hill. He’s trying to make your world better. And he does in small, almost insignificant ways but yet also in ways that you and I take for granted all the time. Right now even.
Now Bill for me is the tip of the iceberg of really interesting, passionate and intelligent people that work at Microsoft trying to make the world better. Channel 9 has hundreds of videos of these people. I understand that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, kind of geeky techie interviews. But this is the human face of MSFT that most people don’t see.
So much has been written on this subject and I’m not contributing that much more of an insight. But if I were Microsoft…
I’d dump every fancy pants ad that they’ve done. The People Ready Business stuff that is right but yet sounds so wrong when wrapped in a glossy, shrink wrapped sheen. The irony to me is that MSFT seems to be a people ready business and I’d like to see the excitement and passion be shown to general public. Allow people to identify a little with them rather than the products.
As I’ve said, I’m not saying that I’ve added anything to the debate but I love the idea of trying to help MSFT from the outside. I don’t know how really but it is a company that does inspire me and the proof on how good the people are and what they are doing seems to be there if you know where to look. It’d be nice to see MSFT shout out about how good and passionate their people are and letting us know about that story than only hearing about MSFT when its in relation to various, frankly boring, lawsuits.
What are your thoughts on Microsoft? Bad wolf or misunderstood child?
Hugh is also involved in another splendid project. One that I’m about to hit my second bottle of. Loving that work…
3 Comments to Why is it a Bad Wolf?
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I’d vote for misunderstood child. Behind all the marketing and dog-and-pony shows, it’s usually a bunch of geeks, that love what they do, finding new and exciting ways to play with cool toys. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! There’s something endearing about a 50+ year old that drags one away from a terminal for the sole purpose of showing off the cool thing that just happened on a screen behind me. I love working with these guys.
Its a nonsensical question. Microsoft is neither good, nor bad. As a business their sole objective is to make money. They’re not a bunch of geeks out to have fun. They’re a bunch of people out to make money.
There’s nothing special about microsoft, they just happened to be in the right place, at the right time. If they hadn’t been there somebody else would have stepped into their place.
Are their products the best we could have received. No, like most businesses they always try to obtain a monopoly and that means stifling technology to a certain extent. The recent nonsence about digital rights management and channeling us into using their technology only is an example of this.
Regards
Robert
( http://www.priority1design.com.au )
Thanks for replying Robert. I don’t think the question is nonsensical and while Microsoft may have been nothing special when the started the fact is now they are special and vital to the way that we live and the way we work.
A bunch of people in MSFT are certainly only interested in about making a profit but I would imagine the majority are about doing the best software possible. That’s the people I like to listen too. To say that everyone in MSFT is only interested in making profit is like saying that everyone is MSFT are geeks. It’s not true.
Microsoft may not be good or they may not be bad but there is certainly a perception help about the company. That perception is what I’m looking to challenge.
I agree that the products are not all that they can be. Some of that for the reasons you suggest, others seem to be rushed jobs. Vista anyone? However it stuns me that Vista has impacted so forcefully on other businesses. It’s that impact that fascinates me about them.
Thanks for writing,
Stewart