Would-be Wireless
I'm on the ground here in Toronto for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, only to discover that neither the broadband connection in my hotel nor the myriad wireless networks I've found in the convention center appears to be all that happy with my notebook.
I'm not alone, as my intrepid colleagues are also having "issues." Methinks it might have something to do with being north of the border, so to speak. I need a sense of humor, I guess. Or is that humour?
While the mood here is generally upbeat, there are pretty clear indications (again) that the software business isn't what it used to be. You know whenever companies profess a closer focus on customers' real needs that sales are just plain tougher. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But then there were all those troubling earnings warnings late last week from the likes of Siebel, Veritas Software and others. Read here or here for the story. Are you seeing trouble in the field? Let me know.
Finally, as a closet Mac addict, I was drawn to this New York Times story today about an original musical at Vassar College featuring none other than Apple founder Steve Jobs and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. On the marquis? The compelling title, "Nerds." Click here for the item.