Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!

Well played Sir Harry!

+

Nothing speaks of the problems at Microsoft so much as Bill Gates’ response:

Now that Jobs has done it we need to move fast to get something where the UI and Rights are as good … I think we need some plan to prove that even though Jobs has us a bit flat footed again we move quick and both match and do stuff better.

He says they need to make a UI and get Rights that are “as good.” He then says they need to “match” Apple. He ends by saying, “and do stuff better” as if doing anything better is a mere afterthought. Lots of emphasis on being as good and matching makes for a follower, not an industry leader.

His words. Not mine. They speak volumes.

—Must—Not—GLOAT—

(gasp)

—[urg]—

HAH HAH HAH HHAAAAAHHHHH

NEENER NEENER

NYAH NYAHHH__

... (choke) ...

Must…...NOT…..GLOAT….

My apologies there, evil twin got out again.

I like the word “again” in Gates’ reply.

we need some plan to… do stuff better

Spoken like a true visionary.

He doesn’t even end by saying they should actually ‘do stuff better’ but they need a plan to prove that they do - even if they don’t.

This is something we see quite often from MS - rather than focusing on delivering, focus on the message. And hey, a lot of the time it works.

“Good enough” wasn’t good enough for Microsoft this time.  Well, more accurately, hte MSN Music Store wasn’t good at all.