Doug's Mailbag: Ballmer Bashing Justified?
Readers present their arguments on whether or not it's fair to criticize Microsoft's CEO:
Couldn't agree more with Forbes. Ballmer and Sinofsky need to be purged, and Scott Guthrie put into a position in which he has the power to at least attempt reversing the damage done to Microsoft by the other ass-clowns' abandonment of Silverlight, hosing of Windows Phone and the slow-motion train wreck that is Windows 8/ARM/WOA/RT (all of that DOA, for sure). I don't know that even Guthrie can reverse the massive damage done to Microsoft's credibility within the developer and enterprise communities, but his ascendancy would at least restore a minimalistic sense of hope in a time in which I've none whatsoever. Have heard a lot of people say Windows 8 will be another Vista or worse, but they've got it wrong -- Windows 8 is far more akin to the resurrection of Microsoft Bob. Purge the ass-clowns and do it soon!
-Anonymous
I forget how we are supposed to judge the virtues of Microsoft. Is it based on profits? Or are we to key in on a specific product that Microsoft has marketed? To my mind the worst leader was Bill Gates. He never could get people to buy Microsoft Bob. Microsoft has been an utter failure ever since... right?
-Dan
Ballmer needs to be pushed out in favor of someone, anyone, with enough vision to keep the many subcomponents of Microsoft working together. There have been way too may failed products and initiatives that were lost due to lack of leadership. Windows Live. Zune. Azure. Kin, Silverlight. Windows 8/ARM/WOA/RT (a disaster still in progress). The record profits are notable, but Ballmer didn't invent or oversee development of those cash cows. He is responsible for the new initiatives failing under his watch. One wonders how much MORE profit Microsoft could be making with better leadership.
-Tom
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Posted by Doug Barney on 05/18/2012 at 1:19 PM