I like the approach 37 Signals takes in discussing constraints. Microsoft has all the money in the world, so to speak and perhaps that's a hindrence to them actually. There was an article a month or so back about that fact that Apple spent so little on R&D relative to revenues and some critics thought this was a big problem (like what's next after the Ipod?) R&D spending as a % is meaningless - it's how it's spent - the objectives, the creativity, the entrpeneriual spirit that matters. Google's mandate to spend 20% on your own projects is a great example of the right kind of spirit and probably costs the company little.
Theoretically, Microsoft should be cleaning up in any market they enter just be throwing enough money at the situation. And that, is the core of the problem - thinking that way doesn't put a contraint on making the most of human capital. They have unlimited money and unlimited time - they're not being forced into making the best decisions (except of course, when they feel real competition - that seems to be their only real motivator...)
Agreed - Pivot Tables are great - but don't forget the function: Getpivotdata. I've been entire applicatons that store data in pivot tables and then use GetPivotData to populate a template. GetPivotData, done right, can even take input from drop down boxes and such without any VBA. It's a handy way to create a nice user interface in Excel without a lot of work. Use the contact form on my website and I'll create and send a sample workbook.
I figure in 2006 (when Longhorn is supposed to ship) I won't be buying CD's anymore; I barely do as it is now. I really enjoy ITunes and the pricing for a full album's material is almost always better than any retailer's (including Amazon) price.
ITunes restrictions are reasonable enough that they don't get in my way...and it's cheaper. I don't need a physical CD anymore. Music on demand. I like it.
There's no pressure for Comcast et al to lower prices. Right now, they simply need to show up and in many areas (like mine) DSL isn't available.
It'll happen, as the market saturates and competition finds a way to penetrate the markets. Also, as additional services come up (perhaps like Comcast offering VOIP) they'll probably come up with package deals to make the combo very attractive.
That sounds great, but I live in a world of a locked down PC controlled by my IT division. I'm a power user in Excel, using pivot tables, mild VBA, mostly for automation between linked files, and in general using the 80% of the features most people don't use at all.
True - VBA shouldn't be used for extremely complex items, but for my use, and other power uses - it's tremendous in it's automation abilities.
with a Join Tracks feature that allows you to meld two or more songs into one continuous, gap-free track -- perfect for listening to classical music, concept rock albums and extended dance mixes.
You know, it's not a big feature, but one very nice to have to avoid the little blips that aren't intended to be there and annoy the hell out of you on continuous tracks.
I averaged 15 telemarketing calls a week before I gave into the extortion of paying my phone company, Verison $5 a month to filter out calls for "unknown (i.e blocked) numbers."
I hated paying even more money, on top of caller id, voicemail, etc. but it was worth it. I'm down to maybe 1 telemarketing call every other week.
Slashdot Mirror
The Chatow brothers are behind this...
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Agreed - Pivot Tables are great - but don't forget the function: Getpivotdata. I've been entire applicatons that store data in pivot tables and then use GetPivotData to populate a template. GetPivotData, done right, can even take input from drop down boxes and such without any VBA. It's a handy way to create a nice user interface in Excel without a lot of work. Use the contact form on my website and I'll create and send a sample workbook.
Only governments censor. This would be anti-competitive. Semantics, yes, but an important distiction nonetheless.
I'm done, carry forward with the conversation.
I figure in 2006 (when Longhorn is supposed to ship) I won't be buying CD's anymore; I barely do as it is now. I really enjoy ITunes and the pricing for a full album's material is almost always better than any retailer's (including Amazon) price.
ITunes restrictions are reasonable enough that they don't get in my way...and it's cheaper. I don't need a physical CD anymore. Music on demand. I like it.
There's no pressure for Comcast et al to lower prices. Right now, they simply need to show up and in many areas (like mine) DSL isn't available.
It'll happen, as the market saturates and competition finds a way to penetrate the markets. Also, as additional services come up (perhaps like Comcast offering VOIP) they'll probably come up with package deals to make the combo very attractive.
That sounds great, but I live in a world of a locked down PC controlled by my IT division. I'm a power user in Excel, using pivot tables, mild VBA, mostly for automation between linked files, and in general using the 80% of the features most people don't use at all.
True - VBA shouldn't be used for extremely complex items, but for my use, and other power uses - it's tremendous in it's automation abilities.
AOL was just a dial-up ISP. Comcast has cable tv, broadband ISP, QVC, sports ownership, etc. They're much more diversified than AOL.
Granted, Comcast has more to it than AOL, but how different is the rationale between AOL and TimeWarner to Comcast and Disney?
with a Join Tracks feature that allows you to meld two or more songs into one continuous, gap-free track -- perfect for listening to classical music, concept rock albums and extended dance mixes.
You know, it's not a big feature, but one very nice to have to avoid the little blips that aren't intended to be there and annoy the hell out of you on continuous tracks.
Nice!
I averaged 15 telemarketing calls a week before I gave into the extortion of paying my phone company, Verison $5 a month to filter out calls for "unknown (i.e blocked) numbers."
I hated paying even more money, on top of caller id, voicemail, etc. but it was worth it. I'm down to maybe 1 telemarketing call every other week.