Windows Live Writer

Just installed the new Windows Live Writer blogging client. Nice that it supports competing blogging services. I may have to restart my blogging activity to try out the new features.

Microsoft - The Next GM (General Motors)?

A lot of ink and cyber ink has been spilled about the recent woes of Microsoft and their much publicized delay for Vista - The Next Generation OS.

There has also been much written about the woes of GM (General Motors) and their steady decline. Much of the blame has been laid at the feet of the unions and you won't get much argument from me as all the failing industries (Airlines, US Car Makers, Teachers, Symphony Orchestras, etc.) today are heavily unionized. But in the case of GM, much blame can also be laid at management and the steadily deteriorating style, excitement, and quality of products they offered for sale. It this feature that I think bares some real resemblance to the current day Microsoft. Could Microsoft be the next GM that will rapidly decline into irrelevance?

I find it interesting that Bill Gates has been oft quoted as being a fan of Alfred Sloan who led GM. Could Microsoft and Seattle become the new rust belt of American Capitalism?

My tenure at Microsoft from 1993 to the beginning of 2000 was an interesting ride. By the end I had become convinced that Microsoft was running out of steam and that it was no longer a place that had any attraction for me to work there. During my time at Microsoft, I helped move tens of thousands of users in various Government agencies from DOS word processing to the then modern GUI interface of Windows and Office. It was a revolutionary time. I also worked hard to lobby for more Internet features in the Windows before the Windows 95 rollout. Sometimes, I would get a lot of push back from Microsoft corporate developers about the need for Internet capability. From my involvement in technical Government sales, I was sensing the pressing need for Microsoft to get on the Internet train. Of course, Bill finally had his "epiphany" about the Internet (better late than never) and a sea change was underway.

Microsoft is now in the unenviable position of producing the software equivalent of the bland "K Car" (a Chrylser product but GM also churned out bland me too products). Sure they sold skid loads of software to businesses just as train loads of K Cars were sold to fleet users, etc. Nobody had any passion for the cars just as Microsoft products no longer generate much love or passion for their products. One simple fact is Microsoft simply has just too many products. Just scan their newserver list to see list after list of products that many people have probably never heard of. In a recent article in the Washington Post about American Car manufacturer woes it makes the comparison of large number of brands and cars that American manufacturers make compared to European and Asian manufacturers who only have two or three brands in total. If I were Bill Gates, I'd slash and burn at least 50% of the products that Microsoft currently makes. Boil down the company to its bare essence and go hells bells on that core that makes real money and make these products best of breed. Jettison all the money losing products.

I don't have time to explore all of my comparisons to GM but I may revisit this topic in a further post. Bottom line is Microsoft peaked on August 24, 1995 (Windows 95 launch and my birthday by coincidence). I was there and participated. It is now ten years and counting and the decline of Microsoft is becoming extremely apparent.

Billg as softies refer to Bill Gates was often cited as saying that he was afraid of Microsoft turning into an IBM (large, slow, lumbering, etc.). Bill, it's worse, Microsoft has become the next GM!

Marin Alsop Debut at Strathmore

Just returned from a great concert at the one year old Strathmore Concert Hall in Bethesda, MD. This evening was special because it was the debut of the newly appointed BSO conductor Marin Alsop. I've bought a number of Ms. Alsops CDs on the German Naxos label. I have been impressed with the wide range of her repertoire. She has performed many modern composer works such as Phillip Glass and John Adams. Tonight she performed the 1st symphony of Baltimore born composer Christopher Rouse. It was the hightlight of the evening for me.

This was my first concert at Strathmore. The facility is gorgeous and the concert hall seems pretty near perfect acoustically. I had a second row orchestra seat and the sound was extremely balanced and clear. I had no trouble hearing all of the sections of the orchestra even though I was far off to the right side.

Here's a shot of the concert hall. All wood construction. Seats are very comfortable with plenty of leg room.


There was a Q&A session at the conclusion of the concert. I got to ask Marin if she would consider playing some Frank Zappa orchestral music. She said that she already does perform some pieces. I will be excited to see if this comes true in the future! I think it would be a great thing if the BSO with Marin Alsop performed Zappa considering that he was born in Baltimore.

Robert Fripp recording session for Windows Vista theme

My Microsoft friend, Keith, just sent me the link to a 25 minute video of a recording session Robert Fripp was doing at Microsoft HQ for the new Windows Vista theme. Very cool! First Eno (earlier Windows versions), now Fripp. I can't wait to hear the final theme that is developed. I think Microsoft should call the next version of Windows - "No Pussyfooting".

A new song for Christmas

Playing with an updated version of SampleTank 2 and had an inspiration for a new song. It's a variation on the carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. I used Tracktion 2 for this session. I am really starting to dig this software. Very user friendly and quite stable. It's a nice change of pace from the complexity of Sonar.

Fall colors and Flag

Walked out to get the paper the other morning and was struck by the colors and sky. Thought it was a nice composition to include my flag. So far a very warm Fall in this neck of the woods.

WiFi @ Bethesda Row

Beautiful fall day in bethesda. Sitting outside the B&N accessing the free WiFi. There are several networks available. Blogging doesn't get better than this.

Blogging from Palm TX

Purchased the new Palm TX last week. The new wifi features are great. Now trying out mobile blogging. Should be fun

Walt Mossberg Siting

Driving home from my Brother's home in Potomac, MD this evening. Stopped at a stoplight on Seven Locks Road, I notice a nice dark blue Mercedes 350 SLK. Looking at the license plate I see it reads "WSJTECH". I quickly put two and two together and determine it's got to be Walt Mossberg in the drivers seat. I could not get even with the car to confirm but I did see the driver was wearing glasses. I'm 99% certain it was the man himself. The highest paid WSJ writer according to Wired. I know he lives in Potomac, so this is pretty certain. I actually ran into Walt and his son at the Rockville Best Buy a few years ago and have occasionally exchanged emails with him. Generally, a very nice chap!

Patty Larkin at Strathmore

Just returned from a fun concert on the lawn at the Strathmore Arts center with Patty Larkin. I've been a fan of Ms. Larkin's for a long time and own most if not all of her albums. Her album, Perishable Fruit is one of my favorites. She's a been a bit quiet the last couple of years since her last release Red = Luck. She played many of her "hits" including the fun CBGBs inspired tune, Wolf At The Door, that's included on her live album. She's quite a story teller with an acerbic wit. True to form, she could not help herself and let fly a few comments about the new Supreme Court nominee and her distaste for President Bush. I was prepared for this, but mercifully these were fairly brief and easily ignored. A typical Northeast knee-jerk liberal via Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

I really enjoyed her song Coming Up For Air from the aforementioned Persishable Fruit. I kept filling in (my mind) the lilting ethereal harmonies of Jane Siberry who is on the album version.

Of course, Patty is an awesome guitarist bordering into Michael Hedges, et al territory. Her quirky song writing and adventurous open tuning forays are what really seal the deal for me. Another fun highlight was an update of The Book I'm Not Reading with allusions to the children's Maisy the Mouse book she is now reading to her child. Quite fun!

I last saw Patty at the Wolf Trap Barns many years ago. That concert was more accomplished because it was inside and she was accompanied by a guitar "colourist" that helped recreate the feeling of the album versions of her songs. Still this outdoor concert was quite charming and a bargain at the price of free!