tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post3719757864736037449..comments2024-03-18T12:52:48.117-07:00Comments on Mini-Microsoft: Brummel! Brummel! Brummel!Who da'Punkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18205453956191063442noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-20592303486231866702007-09-22T13:31:00.000-07:002007-09-22T13:31:00.000-07:00"We should be ashamed. The chicken will come home ..."We should be ashamed. The chicken will come home to roost on this one, you can bet on it."<BR/><BR/>The server version suffers from the same flaws--as it should of course. I use it every day on MS network for heavy file work and it's a nightmare. It hiccups and/or fails on the simplest tasks, like its "consumer Vista" brother. The dreaded "Explorer has stopped working, please wait while we read the newspaper, have a cup of coffee and report the error to HQ when it pleases us". 10, 20 times a day!<BR/><BR/>Woes on the DBA who will decide to run SQL Server on it when even a low-life file jockey like me is driven up the walls. Just think about what will happen when pro's start upgrading (if they ever do: the word's getting around).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-75610444968489647022007-09-15T13:47:00.000-07:002007-09-15T13:47:00.000-07:00"After the Vista debacle, there should have been a..."After the Vista debacle, there should have been a 30% reduction in head count, and a 50% reduction in salaries across the board"<BR/><BR/>The problem is not what it took to get there (although it's nothing to be proud of), but what the product accomplishes now that it's out there. It's an horror show: the new Window Me. That thing spins its wheels for minutes in spots where previous OS's flew: and don't start me about the constant freezes! I'm forced to use that crap every day and my productivity suffers. People around me affect to like it and we all smile around like people around an ugly baby because there is nothing we can do about it.<BR/><BR/>It's a rush job, regardless of the time that it took. The new features suck or are defective (defrag, partition resizing, backups are an immensely idiotic job that forces you to pay $50 for a real backup solution etc...). But the freezes, man. The freezes... They were there at testing time when you could barely boot the build. They are still here in the OS that we deliver to our customers. It messes up the experience with Office 07 too (right-click to change your cell properties and watch it freeze for over 5mns). We should be ashamed. The chicken will come home to roost on this one, you can bet on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-90969936592152318172007-09-10T17:15:00.000-07:002007-09-10T17:15:00.000-07:00I am/was a MS Partner. I resigned today.new career...I am/was a MS Partner. I resigned today.<BR/>new career opportunity. I like MS and may come back. <BR/>I was disappointed in the Partner SPSA's. As an employee, i was happy they lowered the bar after we didn't hit the 100% pay out - like the money. As a Shareholder I was PISSED. Then Ballmer went and made next years goal 'easier'. Easier? WTF? Make it tougher and put the whole company on the plan. <BR/>Everyone here is sitting around getting paid 'comfortably' and not working too hard, but hard enough to not lose the easy job. <BR/>traffic jams leaving campus at 5:05. <BR/>I suggest there be no more merit increases, and add HUGE performance pay outs. So we'd lose a few people - great. But we have people working harder for HUGE pay opportunities. <BR/><BR/>Say 200% pay out on 200% of goal. 500% on 500%<BR/>GO BIG or stay Home<BR/>Thanks and Goodby MSFTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-2151355450723222542007-09-07T15:37:00.000-07:002007-09-07T15:37:00.000-07:00Interesting interview with Ballmer.The two Steves ...Interesting interview with Ballmer.<BR/><BR/>The two Steves (Jobs & Ballmer) each seem to have their own Reality Distortion Field around them. However, Ballmer seems to be the only one who believes anything that he says.<BR/><BR/>The perception of Microsoft, HR, and the company's general morale seem to be on different sides of the scale in regards to Ballmer vs. the MiniMSFT community. Ballmer wants to paint a rosy picture, but the masses are calling BS. But then again, he has billions and billions of dollars in his pocket, head of a company that can bleed tons of money and STILL pull a huge profit -- so from that perspective, what's wrong with that?<BR/><BR/>Eh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-68494467470867820242007-09-07T13:34:00.000-07:002007-09-07T13:34:00.000-07:00How come when I said I am paid below market value ...How come when I said I am paid below market value created this angry response whereas if a level 62 SDE says he is paid below market value, everybody shows sympathy?<BR/><BR/>We are all paid way above the basic necessities of life. There is no question whether we are paid sufficient. The main question is whether we are paid below our worth. The situation between me and other SDEs is the same.<BR/><BR/>Why did two 67s in my team got 550K each. What would they felt if I had screwed them the same way as my VP did to me.<BR/><BR/>Suppose you are 65. Level 64 reports to you. Your team did really well. Level 64 in your team get the highest ratings. But your own manager at 66 screws you for the same high performance of the group.<BR/><BR/>Swap 64, 65, 66 to 67, 68, 69. or to 61, 62, 63. The unjustice remains the same. The fact that 61s can be hired cheaply in India and China and 69 can't be remain.<BR/><BR/>I realize this fact. I am 68. You deny this fact you are not becoming partner anytime soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-74811723702389645612007-09-06T23:19:00.000-07:002007-09-06T23:19:00.000-07:00To the egotistic partner: I have worked with some ...To the egotistic partner: I have worked with some SDEs and PMs (leads as well as ICs) who can give these partners a serious run for their money. They are all in Office and hence will probably not make partners in the next decade. It is true. Office does not promote its people very much. They go to the other extreme; just in order to prevent creating partners like this guy. Real smart people take a lot of pride in their work. They don't walk around with a halo around their head that they are indispensible. No wonder this guy's VP showed him his rightful place. Mr. Partner your VP is sending you a message that you suck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-26150925356624598662007-09-06T22:40:00.000-07:002007-09-06T22:40:00.000-07:00Next time google calls, I will take them on their ...<I>Next time google calls, I will take them on their offers. Two 67s will follow me. With them will follow other superstars.</I><BR/><BR/>I hope SteveB practices follows the Welch playbook over this and has replacements announced by EOD.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-21857126004455209242007-09-06T21:29:00.000-07:002007-09-06T21:29:00.000-07:00650K is the entire compensation. My team is perfor...<I>650K is the entire compensation. My team is performing really well. Two 67s in my team earned 550K this year. I get recruiting calls from google on regular basis. My VP screwed me. Next time google calls, I will take them on their offers. Two 67s will follow me. With them will follow other superstars.</I><BR/><BR/>PLEASE ACCEPT THEIR NEXT OFFER!!!!! WE DON'T NEED YOUR KIND AROUND HERE!!!!! All you do is tell us "how important" your work is, yet you don't do squat. PLEASE take those other 67's with you (along with the rest of your fiefdom). We could use a few less paper-shufflers like yourself and the kiss-asses (er. Super Stars) that support your over-inflated ego.<BR/><BR/>But what do I know, I'm just an "interchangable cog" who actually does work around this company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-57291762178929627392007-09-06T21:25:00.000-07:002007-09-06T21:25:00.000-07:00Next time google calls, I will take them on their ...<I>Next time google calls, I will take them on their offers. Two 67s will follow me. With them will follow other superstars.</I><BR/><BR/>Why wait until Google calls? If you're such hot stuff, call them up and tell them you're available tomorrow. And you come with two freebie L67's, to boot. (And a gintzu knife? :-)<BR/><BR/>No one is indespensible. Not even (or maybe especially) someone who thinks he is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-21565743247731341892007-09-06T08:39:00.000-07:002007-09-06T08:39:00.000-07:00650K is the entire compensation. My team is perfor...650K is the entire compensation. My team is performing really well. Two 67s in my team earned 550K this year. I get recruiting calls from google on regular basis. My VP screwed me. Next time google calls, I will take them on their offers. Two 67s will follow me. With them will follow other superstars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-29953925631579505212007-09-06T00:31:00.000-07:002007-09-06T00:31:00.000-07:00Anyone know why titles in JonDe's org are not refl...Anyone know why titles in JonDe's org are not reflecting levels? Wasnt this implemented across the company?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-16994454150339400212007-09-05T22:23:00.000-07:002007-09-05T22:23:00.000-07:00Zune group is an insurance policy against Apple.Zune group is an insurance policy against Apple.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-86659222979627138482007-09-05T22:09:00.000-07:002007-09-05T22:09:00.000-07:00The Partner who is underpaid at 650K this year - i...The Partner who is underpaid at 650K this year - is this your annual salary or your stock award value? If salary, I had no idea that we pay our GMs and above this kind of salary. (Partners are level 68 and above.)<BR/><BR/>(Note: I am a level 64 so not clear whether my posts are welcome here or not. From my view, upper management is so focused on internal politics, it's a rare senior person who is actually leading. Those in my division seem to be treading water to keep their reputations and grow their network to continue to ascend. I don't see anyone in the upper ranks that I want to emulate. To me this is a company that continues to be in decline, despite the new blood and intentions of LisaB.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-16476897175543131262007-09-04T21:09:00.000-07:002007-09-04T21:09:00.000-07:00"In my area, 6 years is the minimum time as FTE fo..."In my area, 6 years is the minimum time as FTE for an IC to get a private office. And yes, we're an engineering group."<BR/><BR/>"Erm. Definitely hurting in Windows. Recently an 11 year was almost doubled."<BR/><BR/>I just doubled after 7 years. The 11 year guy has me beat. I feel better already. In some bldgs there simply is no space avail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-42105107890703165622007-09-04T11:31:00.000-07:002007-09-04T11:31:00.000-07:00another gem:68 level employee even at Walmart make...another gem:<BR/><BR/>68 level employee even at Walmart makes a million. If Microsoft does not pay, it risks losing the stars to Google. This is already happening. We are getting lower to middle of a graduating class whereas Google is getting top of the class.<BR/><BR/>The people I know who have left for Google:<BR/>1 former star who had not done much<BR/>2 who were never stars and whose last project just took a 1 billion dollar het<BR/>1 star who might still actually be a star<BR/>1 pretty decent guy<BR/><BR/>they are not gettingt the cream of the crop, trust me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-11337128819548710192007-09-04T11:29:00.000-07:002007-09-04T11:29:00.000-07:00to the anonymous "partner"re:But I hate to give 10...to the anonymous "partner"<BR/>re:<BR/><BR/>But I hate to give 100K to 59 or even 60 level. The work they do is worth not even 20K. <BR/><BR/>I don't see how you made partner if you are hiring such low-performing 59s and 60s. Please go to google, I'm sure they will value you appropriately. I guess people are right about the abundance of under-performing partners. Or you are just a lying troll.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-6293462753771944662007-09-04T08:55:00.000-07:002007-09-04T08:55:00.000-07:00You dont buy insurance by paying some people obsce...<I>You dont buy insurance by paying some people obscene salaries without tying it to performance</I><BR/><BR/>Agreed. But the situation is one of an imbalance between demand and supply. It can be fixed in the short term if a significant number of US located partners decide to relocate to China/India thereby increasing supply or by waiting for a number of years while the local resource pool grows.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-88960136880853421212007-09-04T08:20:00.000-07:002007-09-04T08:20:00.000-07:00Well, it was only a matter of time anyway. Nice jo...<I>Well, it was only a matter of time anyway. Nice job, Robbie.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://crunchgear.com/2007/08/23/wii-overtakes-xbox-360-for-top-lifetime-sales-honors/" REL="nofollow">Wii Overtakes Xbox 360 For Top Lifetime Sales Honors</A></I><BR/><BR/>Hmm... I predicted here a few weeks ago that once Nintendo took over the lead, it would never relinquish it.<BR/><BR/>Of course, at that time I didn't actually think the Wii would manage to take over first place before Halo 3 was due. In other words, they've managed to sell more consoles than Microsoft despite not even being in the market half as long. And they actually make money on their hardware.<BR/><BR/>I echo the previous poster: GREAT job, Robbie. Be thankful you work in the Accountability-Free Zone known as the Microsoft executive ranks. Anywhere else and you'd have been tossed out long ago. Or at least after the billion-dollar boondoggle known as the red ring of death.<BR/><BR/>But back to my original point: Considering the timing, I have to acknowledge there's a chance the 360 will rebound and take back the lead with Halo 3.<BR/><BR/>Briefly.<BR/><BR/>But even if they do, the next time they lose it - and that will occur no later than early 2008 - will be for good. There's nothing left in the chamber. Launching early and releasing Halo 3 are the only "sure bets" the 360 has.<BR/><BR/>And for all the execs over in Xboxland who are busy drafting their new spin on why it's good to be second after they spent so much of their time (and so much of our money) trying to be first, I should point out that the only reason that second's not a closer race right now is because of Sony's wrongheaded decision to include Blu-Ray. Not because of anything you've done.<BR/><BR/>If Sony had dropped Blu-Ray and come in at a competitive price point, then the writing would already be on the wall assuring the 360 of a third-place finish this generation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-69850689642509442702007-09-04T03:00:00.000-07:002007-09-04T03:00:00.000-07:00"I'm waiting on your heels for your partner-positi..."I'm waiting on your heels for your partner-position, so please just go."<BR/><BR/>Mini, take note of that comment.<BR/><BR/>In the past couple of threads, there have been lower-level IC's whining about compensation, a partner whining about being worth many times a lower-level IC, the same partner whining that lower-level IC's are all replaceable, and IC's whining that promos are very difficult to get in some orgs.<BR/><BR/>Why, it's enough to give me GRAD SCHOOL flashbacks. Read the above again. Substitute <I>teaching assistant or research assistant</I> for <I>lower-level IC</I>. Substitute <I>tenured full professor</I> for <I>partner</I>.<BR/><BR/>Here's a little secret about TAs and RAs, for those who haven't had the experience of being one. Numerous second year grad students could give <I>at least</I> the lower 50% of the dept faculty a run for the money, even with no allowances made for inexperience. Yet, for a few years, we're slaves because that is the way the system works. We pay our dues. Those of us in the academic track then go for associate professor (more dues), then assistant, then 5-7 years later, some win the tenure lottery and are... SET FOR LIFE UNLESS THEY MAKE A MAJOR POLITICAL SCREW UP. Is this ringing any bells?<BR/><BR/>When some lower-mid-level IC calls BS on a partner, don't be too quick to accept the partner's dismissal of the IC's comments. Similar to how it is in grad school, professional level and ability don't always line up. There are some truly great ICs at MSFT, waiting for a partner to decide it's time to enjoy that Tuscan Villa.<BR/><BR/>Many ICs in my network can do so much more for Microsoft than their current responsibilities permit. And many more are doing work that according to the CSPs is 2 levels higher than their current pay grade, but since they're in Office... you know the rest. If the lower 20% of the partners had to compete for their jobs again every year or even every other year, the politics might get vicious, but the talented mid-levels would have a significant incentive to push like hell for real innovation to get out the door.<BR/><BR/>(LisaB, are you reading today? If that won't work, maybe try to award some people "rotating" partner status for a year or two to get them visibility and impact opportunities to prove they have what it takes.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-14072322020932088632007-09-04T00:56:00.000-07:002007-09-04T00:56:00.000-07:00Most principal researchers are partners.Most principal researchers are partners.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-2382335809366729762007-09-04T00:39:00.000-07:002007-09-04T00:39:00.000-07:00FYI...there are Principal Researchers that get SPS...FYI...there are Principal Researchers that get SPSA. Not sure if this is a grandfathering or something, but true. If you want to know if someone gets SPSA look for "DCP Eligible Partners and Execs" or those related to "TCN" aliases in their DL membership.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-34985957528289831872007-09-03T22:55:00.000-07:002007-09-03T22:55:00.000-07:00Buying some insurance for those markets is not a b...Buying some insurance for those markets is not a bad idea. We do not want to end up like Motorola who now find themselves with few products to sell to the #1 (China) and #3 (India) cell phone markets. <BR/><BR/>><BR/>You dont buy insurance by paying some people obscene salaries without tying it to performance - ala SPSA awards <BR/><BR/>Why do we need several thousand people in finance and HR. <BR/><BR/>No wonder Microsoft stock is in the dumps when we have to pay so many insurance policies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-17224140721798040272007-09-03T22:39:00.000-07:002007-09-03T22:39:00.000-07:00Go away, troll. You don't get SPSA unless you're a...Go away, troll. You don't get SPSA unless you're a PARTNER. If you were a partner, you'd be Partner Researcher.<BR/>-<BR/>Principal Researcher is L67 and above. You surely are the HR hack that has been posting random review numbers here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-40068319829354505612007-09-03T22:03:00.000-07:002007-09-03T22:03:00.000-07:00"In my area, 6 years is the minimum time as FTE fo..."In my area, 6 years is the minimum time as FTE for an IC to get a private office. And yes, we're an engineering group."<BR/><BR/>"I can't believe this is serious, with all of the space we've bought out over the last few years."<BR/><BR/>Erm. Definitely hurting in Windows. Recently an 11 year was almost doubled.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-32723658500665734462007-09-03T20:35:00.000-07:002007-09-03T20:35:00.000-07:00To the level 68 partner who thinks he/she is worth...To the level 68 partner who thinks he/she is worth twice $650k...<BR/><BR/>Go... Please... and don't let the door hit you on the way out. Your attitude is more of an entitlement attitude than most highschoolers I see out there today. Want something for little to nothing. Do what my other partner-friends advise me, "if your boss doesn't like you (hence your lower comp), find another position and don't whine about it".<BR/><BR/>I'm waiting on your heels for your partner-position, so please just go. I'm sorry, I just don't believe that anyone, particularly many of the partners I've worked for, are irreplaceable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com