I started working at Microsoft when I was 18 years old. It paid better than the landscaping job I was enjoying at the time. I didn’t know much about writing code, but I was fairly proficient with computers and wanted to learn more. There seemed to be a real opportunity to help make some great […]
Microsoft’s recent introduction of Live Mesh is a perfect example of a core difference between Apple and Microsoft. Apple is, at heart, a product company. Microsoft is, at heart, a platform company. Both produce products and platforms, but the way they approach the problem and communicate with developers is decidedly different. With Live Mesh Microsoft […]
Here’s a blast from the past. As Xcode continues to improve as the default IDE on the Mac and for the iPhone, the majority of Apple’s current developers don’t even how CodeWarrior saved Apple. With the release of the iPhone SDK, I think it’s not far fetched to imagine Apple’s WWDC attendance tripling. Someone sent […]
When I was a little boy my Mom had me memorize this little poem: Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;Beginners are many, but enders are few.Honor, power, place and praiseWill always come to the one who stays. Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;Bend at it, sweat at it, smile […]
I know I’m dating myself a bit here, but there was a time when friends my age would exchange songs via cassette tape. It was illegal I’m sure, but such a wonderful labor of love. The carefully selected list would exchange hands and then the recipient would spend typically 60 minutes straight listening to each […]
If the folks over at Gear Live have the scoop on the newest iPhone firmware update, it looks like it will add some very cool features. My favorite will absolutely be the “Locate Me” feature added to the Google Maps application. Gear Live servers are slammed right now, but here are some of the small […]
One of the great benefits of working at Microsoft is that when you add a new little one to your family, you get 1 month of paid paternity leave. Recently, we’ve had the opportunity to take advantage of this benefit. Since our little baby was born, I’ve been home working as Mr. Mom. I’ve been […]
One of the most important responsibilities of a great leader is to clearly define the goal, the vision, the what and why stuff, so that everyone can understand and really “buy-in” to the deal. Steve Jobs just did this masterfully in the Q&A session following an Apple press event: Is Apple’s goal to overtake the […]
I love working on the Mac. I enjoy working in MacBU. These days, however, I’m not so thrilled about the vibe hanging around here at Microsoft as a whole. We seem to have lost our self-confidence. There is a general and constant focus on “the other guys” these days. It’s like everyone is continually contemplating […]
zPhone! Note: Many thanks to Andy Klepack for the Hi-Def image. Food and beverages not included. 🙂
David Weiss 