Good Riddance, Gates

BARBARA DARROW

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Can be reached at (7810 839-1223 or via e-mail at [email protected].

While Microsoft sticks to its story that the dynamic duo will be out early next year, some Wall Streeters have already built wiggle room into their models. Goldman Sachs' Rick Sherlund, for example, said he already assumes a delay into March or even April for Vista.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has been fairly open about his displeasure with what happened to Vista. He told CRN two months ago that there will never again be a Vista-type delay in the Windows road map. Many construed that to be a slap at Jim Allchin and other Vista luminaries, a feeling confirmed for some with Microsoft's news that Brian Valentine will move to another project when—cynics might say if—Vista ships.

But one longtime Microsoft observer (whose name must not be mentioned) says the real culprit in the Vista fiasco is none other than former Chief Software Architect Bill Gates.

"The guy kept coming in and saying, 'Oh, and make sure you have this, and have that, and don't forget this,' " the source said. Knowing Microsoft's culture, what employee is going to say no?

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There has been a lot of Gates worship since his announced decision to step back from day-to-day duties. But let's be frank: A lot of what's wrong with Microsoft stemmed from the top.

For all of Microsoft's talk about its billions in research, where's speech recognition that actually works? It still stinks and Gates has talked about it for a decade or more. (If you missed the speech reco disaster at the financial analyst meeting two weeks ago, find it on Youtube.com.)

The tablet PC remains a disappointment. The stuff that Microsoft got right—Excel, Word, Windows—borrowed heavily from other people's R&D.

The company is trying to reinvent itself, but new top software dog Ray Ozzie has his work cut out for him because the company reeks of bureaucracy. I stand by my statement more than a year ago that today's Microsoft has become the old IBM. This is not a good thing.

Is Gates leaving a plus or a minus? Get back to me at (781) 839-1223 or via e-mail at [email protected].