Microsoft Windows President Steven Sinofsky Out - effective immediately

[menotu]

From Forbes

Microsoft this evening announced that Windows guru Steven Sinofsky – formally the president of the company’s Windows and Windows Live business – will be leaving the company. Sinofsky, 47, was widely considered a potential successor for CEO Steve Ballmer; his departure is shocking news, and is going to lead to speculation about issues with the recent launch of Windows 8.

The company also said that Julie Larson-Green has been promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering.  Tami Reller retains her roles as chief financial officer and chief marketing officer and will assume responsibility for the business of Windows. Both execs will report to CEO Steve Ballmer.


 And here’s a memo to the Microsoft staff from Sinofsky:

    From: Steven Sinofsky
    Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 5:42 PM
    To: Microsoft – All Employees (QBDG)
    Subject: RE: Windows Leadership Changes

    With the general availability of Windows 8/RT and Surface, I have decided it is time for me to take a step back from my responsibilities at Microsoft. I’ve always advocated using the break between product cycles as an opportunity to reflect and to look ahead, and that applies to me too.

    After more than 23 years working on a wide range of Microsoft products, I have decided to leave the company to seek new opportunities that build on these experiences. My passion for building products is as strong as ever and I look forward focusing my energy and creativity along similar lines.

........................

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/11/12/microsoft-shocker-windows-president-steven-sinofsky-out/

[bicol_willem]

Hmmm,... bonus too small or a crack in the wall? 

[menotu]

Open Letter to fellow ex-Microsoftie Steven Sinofsky

Congratulations on leaving Microsoft. Unless you have bills to pay, you won’t regret it. I left at the end of 2004, and have since studied a vast and amazing — but still flawed – world of computing out there.

For example, I discovered that we should already have cars that (optionally) drive us around and computers that talk to us. And that Linux on the desktop is powerful and rich but failing because of several strategic mistakes. Google claims to be a friend of Linux and free software, but most of their interesting AI code is locked up. Programming should be a part of basic math literacy for every child. The biotechnology world is proprietary like Microsoft, which is stunting progress in new medicines and safer devices.

The most important lesson is that the free software world outside Microsoft is much bigger and richer. No matter what aspect of technology you want to work on, there are codebases and communities out there. Even the large companies who write proprietary software like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Twitter use free software as their base. So you first find out what you want to work on, and then you find the existing codebases and communities to join. In some cases, the are multiple, so you need to decide which best meets your needs.

The good news is that there are already millions of smart people working on any aspect of technology you’d like to work on. That is important because now that you have left Microsoft, you greatly lose the ability to control your own destiny using their technology.

Full letter

[menotu]

By Gregg Keizer - November 14, 2012 - .computerworld

After Sinofsky, Microsoft must stop the secrecy, say analysts

With Windows' secretive chief out, Microsoft's best move is to bring OEMs, developers and customers back into the loop

The best move Microsoft could make after Steven Sinofsky's departure is to ditch the culture of secrecy he brought to Windows, analysts said today.

"One thing that may be a benefit to Microsoft is to drop the belief that information non-disclosure is a critical component of development," said Wes Miller, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, a research firm that focuses on the Redmond, Wash. company's moves.

"When you distance your evangelists from the information they need to succeed, you hurt yourself," added Miller. "[The secrecy] over Windows 8 did not help their case."

https://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9233647/After_Sinofsky_Microsoft_must_stop_the_secrecy_say_analysts?source=rss_keyword_gregg+keizer

[weirdwolf]

[edit] as previously posted.....

Did he quit or was he fired ?
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/140266-windows-chief-steven-sinofsky-leaves-microsoft-did-he-quit-or-was-he-fired

[jimwilk]

Quick, someone send that man a CD with the latest PCLinuxOS.

After his recent life changing experience, Linux might well add yet another.

Jim

[menotu]

Former Windows president Steven Sinofsky returning to Harvard Business School to teach this spring

http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/19/3784704/former-windows-lead-steven-sinofsky-teaching-at-harvard

[frazelle09]

Just d/l Keith's pdf book, After the Software Wars, for over the weekend reading.

Looks good.  Have a great evening! 

[dixonpete]

Windows 8: The Animated Evaluation

An animated Windows 8 rant. I thought he made a lot of good points.

[frazelle09]

Wow, he really went bonkers! - lol

Have a great evening! 

[GOTHBITES]

Windows 8: The Animated Evaluation

An animated Windows 8 rant. I thought he made a lot of good points.

Holey crud That Nails it completely IMO

Go Team whats-his-name 

[pupthai]

An animated Windows 8 rant - I mean window rant. Don't forget to swipe.  hay - what is the fork for?    {fork}window 8 

[Wildman]

A very well done rant......several should lose their jobs....Top to Bottom, and middle too...

(I say all because, some did it, and the rest let them) 

[longtom]

Does that mean he didn't like it? .... 

[GOTHBITES]

Does that mean he didn't like it? .... 

Naw He Really Really Really likes it a lot