Gates Tries to Explain .Net

AdamBa writes "Speaking to financial analysts and reporters, Bill Gates admitted that .NET hadn't caught on as quickly as he had hoped. The headline ('Gates admits .NET a "misstep"') is a bit misleading; he doesn't think all of .NET was a misstep, just the My Services part (aka Hailstorm). He also said that labelling the current generation of enterprise products as .NET might have been 'premature.' Summary: Microsoft got too excited about locking in users via Hailstorm and botched the overall .NET message." There's also a Reuters report and a NYTimes story on the same subject, which includes the interesting line: "Microsoft also warned today that the era of "open computing," the free exchange of digital information that has defined the personal computer industry, is ending." It isn't clear if Microsoft is talking about something happening beyond their control, or if they're boasting about ending it.

Comments

Gates doesn't do mistakes.

[SpanishInquisition]

When he does they become standards.

Cheap office labor!

[teamhasnoi]

when you said, 'These two systems have to connect. Bring in 200 consultants at $200 an hour,' are over."

One dollar an hour per consultant? I guess I know how much a MCSE certificate is worth nowadays. Hell, cheaper than temps, though.

heh

[Anonymous Coward]

"Microsoft also warned today that the era of "open computing," the free exchange of digital information that has defined the personal computer industry, is ending."

uh-huh

I'm warezing .NET right now.

M$=0wn3r1z3d

CNN has a story

[Wind_Walker]

CNN also has a story about Gates' .NET evaulation, and it says he gives is a 'C'.

I wonder how he grades the Xbox, with its horrific launch in Japan (still haven't sold through their initial 250,000 shipment), terrible software sales rate (less than 2 per console sold), and overall terrible showing at E3. He'd probably give it a 'C+', or maybe a 'C#'.

MS's original intention.

[MongooseCN]

MS believed that the way to avoid the problem of .COM's going under was to name their product .NET. I mean who's ever heard of a .net going under? Or the .net bubble burst? Clearly by naming their product .net, they would avoid all the problems the .com's had.

The end of "Open Computing"

[fobbman]

Does anyone know whether Gates was wearing ruby slippers when he made the above statement?

Re:.NET my BUTT

[slickwillie]

Just say ".NYET!".

Full of Holes...

[akiy]

A net, by defition, is full of holes...

Re:Gates give company a "C"

[pauls2272]

Hmm, I thought he gave them a C#...

Re:Gates doesn't do mistakes.

[unicron]

"From my parent's home in Wyoming, I stab at thee."

Re:They understand one problem...

[dpilot]

How about "software to connect your income to our bottom line."

What is .NET?

[quantaman]

Reporter 1: What is .NET?

Gates: No one can tell you what .NET is. You have to see it for yourself.

Reporter 2: But I have sources telling me that .NET is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

Re:.NET as a Data Utility

[Tablizer]

.... have my fridge interoperate with the grocery store and compare my cupboards with what's on special today ....

I really really don't want to see my toilet have a Brown Screen of Death someday.

Re:What is .NET??????

[Tablizer]

Simple:

.NET is something that .FISH get .TANGLED up in.

More awful puns...

[KC7GR]

Perhaps the developers could dub one of the shared libraries .BUTTERFLY. Then, at least, the users of .NET would have something to chase.

(There go my karma points...)

Re:It seems clear to me...

[BgJonson79]

Microsoft and the entertainment industry are in bed together

And they're making the ugliest kid I've ever seen