Welcome Guest! To access all forums & features, please register an account or sign-in. → Why register?



Forbes: Microsoft Is Fast Turning Into A Sideshow


169 replies to this topic * * * - - 11 votes

#1 Rickkins

    Resident Fanatic

  • 539 posts
  • Joined: 04-April 07

Posted 04 January 2013 - 23:51

So, now it’s clear: Windows 8 did not blow the doors off during the holiday. In context, this tepid launch is just one of a litany of failures fast relegating Microsoft to the status of incidental spectacle in the information technology business.

If Windows 8 is Exhibit A, Exhibit B is Windows Phone 8. Nokia has started discounting recently launched Lumina phones, indicating that they’re not exactly moving like hotcakes. Microsoft makes excuses and says these things take time, but even a fool can tell a torrid introduction from a lukewarm launch.

http://www.forbes.co...nto-a-sideshow/


#2 Joshie

    Wandering NPC

  • 4,276 posts
  • Joined: 01-March 02
  • Location: Seattle, WA

Posted 04 January 2013 - 23:57

Saw Forbes, didn't read.

#3 Boz

    Neowinian UNSTOPPABLE

  • 7,261 posts
  • Joined: 21-October 03

Posted 05 January 2013 - 00:23

This explains it all.. when a company is ran by an idiot like this

http://www.youtube.com/v/KMU0tzLwhbE

There's nothing else to be said and certainly doesn't come as a surprise they are a joke

#4 Dot Matrix

    Neowinian Wise One

  • 5,658 posts
  • Joined: 14-November 11
  • Location: USA
  • OS: Windows 8
  • Phone: Nokia Lumia 920

Posted 05 January 2013 - 00:25

Trolling article is trolling.

#5 LookitsPuck

    Neowinian²

  • 137 posts
  • Joined: 01-April 12

Posted 05 January 2013 - 00:26

What a bunch of worthless drivel.

#6 brianshapiro

    Neowinian Senior

  • 2,646 posts
  • Joined: 10-January 02
  • Location: Encino, CA

Posted 05 January 2013 - 00:35

Other articles on Forbes.com, btw.

Why Windows 8 Is a Great Operating System

Quote

The truth of the matter is, the world has become so anti-Microsoft that they can’t help but look past Ballmer’s mishaps both ridiculous and egregious. Windows 8 might actually approach being the future of a desktop operating system, and it sucks that we’re all too proud to admit it. Mac OS is undoubtably powerful, but still lacking in user-friendliness. And I’ll be damned if I didn’t wish I had a capacitive touchscreen on my Macbook Pro Retina.

Fear Not Windows 8, But Embrace It

Quote

Once I figured that out, suddenly Windows 8 became very cool. Using the main interface screen, you can access what you need much more quickly, plus you can dispense with keeping armies of icons on your working space or creating endless toolbars for shortcuts. To access the main screen, you just slide your pointer to the lower left-hand corner and click, and you’ll quickly find the program you need. The bottom line: Windows 8 rocks.

Just sayin'.

#7 LaP

    Forget about it

  • 3,185 posts
  • Joined: 10-July 06
  • Location: Quebec City, Canada
  • OS: Windows 8 Pro

Posted 05 January 2013 - 00:35

View PostBoz, on 05 January 2013 - 00:23, said:

This explains it all.. when a company is ran by an idiot like this

http://www.youtube.c...h/v=KMU0tzLwhbE

There's nothing else to be said and certainly doesn't come as a surprise they are a joke

Video doesn't exist

#8 Boz

    Neowinian UNSTOPPABLE

  • 7,261 posts
  • Joined: 21-October 03

Posted 05 January 2013 - 01:35

View PostLaP, on 05 January 2013 - 00:35, said:

Video doesn't exist

http://www.youtube.com/v/KMU0tzLwhbE

#9 Praetor

    ASCii/ANSi Designer

  • 915 posts
  • Joined: 05-June 02

Posted 05 January 2013 - 01:38

Forbes eh? right.... :rolleyes:

#10 Javik

    Neowinian Wise One

  • 4,261 posts
  • Joined: 21-May 12

Posted 05 January 2013 - 01:46

View PostDot Matrix, on 05 January 2013 - 00:25, said:

Trolling article is trolling.

Replace the word "Microsoft" with "Google" and most of Neowin's members would be on it like stank on poop. Last time I checked Neowin was a tech forum not a flagellate Microsoft forum so I see nothing wrong with these articles. They're no worse than the anti google BS that makes regular visits to Neowin.

#11 paulbeattie87

    Neowinian²

  • 105 posts
  • Joined: 01-August 04
  • Location: Elgin, UK

Posted 05 January 2013 - 01:47

I think the article is pretty fair. Microsoft are fast becoming a sideshow. They've no new OS for enterprise customers, let's be honest Windows 8 is very consumer focussed and not really business friendly with the changes implemented. On the flip side it does have one of the most compelling touch interfaces around but the execution of it is poor when you're bumped out to the desktop, even on the Microsoft designed surface.

Consumers expect a fluid experience with their products, just look at how quickly Apple and Google are taking over the consumer space. Microsoft need something compelling there as well, they don't have that.

The weird part of this is most of the issues seem management related, Microsoft research stuff is mostly solid and on the ball but it just doesn't seem to make it into consumer products at the rate it really should.

#12 Dot Matrix

    Neowinian Wise One

  • 5,658 posts
  • Joined: 14-November 11
  • Location: USA
  • OS: Windows 8
  • Phone: Nokia Lumia 920

Posted 05 January 2013 - 02:31

View Postpaulbeattie87, on 05 January 2013 - 01:47, said:

I think the article is pretty fair. Microsoft are fast becoming a sideshow. They've no new OS for enterprise customers

U.S. Dept. of Defense disagrees.

#13 +Quillz

    A Talking Pokemon

  • 9,636 posts
  • Joined: 19-July 05
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • OS: iOS, Mac OS X, Windows
  • Phone: iPhone 5

Posted 05 January 2013 - 04:25

View PostBoz, on 05 January 2013 - 00:23, said:

This explains it all.. when a company is ran by an idiot like this

http://www.youtube.com/v/KMU0tzLwhbE

There's nothing else to be said and certainly doesn't come as a surprise they are a joke
How does him showing enthusiasm for developers make him an idiot?

#14 COKid

    Neowinian Senior

  • 2,149 posts
  • Joined: 07-April 10
  • Location: Loveland, CO

Posted 05 January 2013 - 04:44

View PostDot Matrix, on 05 January 2013 - 02:31, said:

U.S. Dept. of Defense disagrees.

The DoD doesn't exactly have a history of spending money wisely. $640 toilet seats, anyone?

Don't get me wrong, I have happily used Microsoft hardware and software products for decades, but I'm afraid their best days are behind them. Will they be around in 50 years? Probably. Hell, IBM survived the down times. Why not Microsoft. But they will never be the dominant player they used to be.

And guess what? It's ok. There is life after Microsoft. People's tastes in tech evolves like everything else. New companies will come along and be the next darlings for a while. And on we will go. I'm just enjoying the ride.

Good grief, this was entertainment when I was growing up:

Posted Image

We forget how spoiled we are these days. :rolleyes:

#15 DavidM

    Resident Elite

  • 1,711 posts
  • Joined: 25-January 04
  • Location: Arizona, USA

Posted 05 January 2013 - 04:48

View PostDot Matrix, on 05 January 2013 - 02:31, said:

U.S. Dept. of Defense disagrees.

Not the greatest point ever made....

1) Everyone knows how the licensing agreements work. The UsDoD did NOT ENDORSE Windows 8, they purchased the ability to use Windows 8, Office <insert newest release here> and several other Microsoft products. Neowin News.

You posted about said new item,

Quote

"Still shows the validity of the OS. If it's good enough for our government to use, it's sure as hell is good enough for private business."
My father used to say "good enough for government work", when he did something halfassed, and also said "close only counts in horse shoes, hand grenades and government work". Having a mother and a sister work for the government, and seeing their policies and spending, I have to agree with my father.

2) USDoD spent $640 for a toilet seat, and couldn't account for more than a trillion dollars in financial transactions, not to mention dozens of tanks, missiles and planes. Source.

EDIT: Got beat to the $640 punchline by COKid... :(

EDIT 2 : Dammit, I miss that game, I was never as good as my younger brother, but I'd love to hear that beeping again.