Microsoft

[siren]

Anyone have any general questions about what it is like to work at Microsoft? Any questions about Microsoft in general?

I will not promise to answer all questions (I like my job!) but I will do my best.

[Blake]

Is Bill Gates as ugly in person as he is in photos?

I'll try to think of some legit ones here in a sec.

[watashi]

lol that was cruel, is microsoft trying to rule the world piece by piece with the internet and gaming console first?

[siren]

Is Bill Gates as ugly in person as he is in photos?

I'll try to think of some legit ones here in a sec.

I wouldn't say he is ugly so much as overly geeky. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a mild version of Autism. This is not uncommon is leaders btw.

But yea, he could use some help with his appearance. Now his wife on the other hand.

lol that was cruel, is microsoft trying to rule the world piece by piece with the internet and gaming console first?

Rule the world, nah. Believe it or not, most Microsoft employees really only want to make great software. A lot of us are very passionate about what we do. I remember during the WindowsXP shipping days fighting desperately to get a couple of bugs fixed. I did. Then I had to take a step back and let one of them regress back because bugs caused by the bug fix were worse than the bug I wanted... That hurt me deeply to admit. Just like in life, you can't have everything you want in software.

As for ruling the world, I believe that most of Microsoft is just so competitive that it comes off wrong alot. Just like every other company out there we want to be the best at what we do. We want to be the leader in our markets. We just happen to be in more markets than most companies.

[Requiem_Of_Deceit]

Well said Siren. Do you like the Microsoft Coporation as a whole? I mean I know you said you like your job but do you like the Microsoft Corporation? Right next question, what would you do if Bill Gates came to you and said he was bored and decided to give you his job as head of Microsoft? <--- I know its more of a question directed to you but I'm interested nonetheless.

[siren]

Well said Siren. Do you like the Microsoft Coporation as a whole? I mean I know you said you like your job but do you like the Microsoft Corporation? Right next question, what would you do if Bill Gates came to you and said he was bored and decided to give you his job as head of Microsoft? <--- I know its more of a question directed to you but I'm interested nonetheless.

Microsoft as a whole is a great company. There are a few teams (That shall remain nameless) that aren't in tip top shape that they need to work on, but on the same token there are a couple that are doing amazingly well. (MSN and XBOX come to mind).

If BG did come to my office and do that I would flat out refuse. I know that I am not capable of the position and it would not benefit the company and/or it's shareholders for me to take said position.

[Requiem_Of_Deceit]

If BG did come to my office and do that I would flat out refuse. I know that I am not capable of the position and it would not benefit the company and/or it's shareholders for me to take said position.

Great answer, again well said. I really admire your honesty and dedication to your work. Most people would say they'd take it and make some changes that would benifit them. Microsoft's lucky to have you in their company, Siren.

[Rebon]

Whats happening with Microsoft in terms of PC game? Thats always been one of their weak areas in my mind (well, apart from the obvious Age of Empires that is).

[gaming ultima]

Whats happening with Microsoft in terms of PC game? Thats always been one of their weak areas in my mind (well, apart from the obvious Age of Empires that is).

yea and i loved freelancer as well, it was a big shame it didn’t sell better
but anyways

question for siren - do you know how many people roughly are working on longhorn? if not could you find out?

[siren]

Whats happening with Microsoft in terms of PC game? Thats always been one of their weak areas in my mind (well, apart from the obvious Age of Empires that is).

yea and i loved freelancer as well, it was a big shame it didn’t sell better
but anyways

question for siren - do you know how many people roughly are working on longhorn? if not could you find out?

Hard to say. LH is such a cross company project that in a lot of ways you could say almost everyone is working on it.

Though, if you just talk about the Windows divisions themselves, I would say roughly 20k FT's and 10k CSG or so.

[Requiem_Of_Deceit]

Do you think LH is going to have a very successful release from what you know?

[siren]

Do you think LH is going to have a very successful release from what you know?

Hard to say, I am not currently working on LH. Do I think Microsoft can make it a successful product, Yes. Will it be everything and the oven that made the bread, probably not.

Will it be better than XP, yes. Will it be enough to make you want to upgrade? That is based on who you are.

[Radium]

Whats next for Microsoft? Are you going to make a really powerful computer that looks as good a a Macintosh does but obviously better than a Mac.

And what type of computers do you guys use for your software dev?

[Blake]

M$ makes software but a computer seems feasible.

[siren]

Whats next for Microsoft? Are you going to make a really powerful computer that looks as good a a Macintosh does but obviously better than a Mac.

And what type of computers do you guys use for your software dev?

Microsoft doesn't make computers. We do work regularly with our OEM partners to make cool designs for computers, but in the end it is up to each of them to decide what they want to build and ship. A lot of what you see design wise in the Window's PC market is driven by cost. Apple's are driven by design in a lot of cases. Cost comes way down the list.

As for what kind of systems we use for software development? Well, lots. If you were to walk around any one of our buildings you would see all OEM's represented. Our labs even more so. We use machines from Compaq/HP, Dell, e-machines, Gateway, you name it. We also have a lot of WhiteBox machines using motherboards from just about anyone you could name.

There are several databases in Microsoft just to store the information on what machines and motherboards we have. That way if a bug is found that is system or board specific, we can usually track it down and work on a fix.

[luxurys]

Here I thought I would post my thoughts as I am at work....It will be kinda like my Blog or something....anything I am thinking or whatever I will post here in this thread.

Wha? 1UP has a pretty neat blog system, as does the numerous other blog websites. Instead of cluttering the forums with non-PS3Land related stuff use one of those blog websites and put the link in your signature.

[ps3 Wanna be]

^^

[luxurys]

Did you get the job Dusty???

[heerokenshin]

i got training next friday

Use PMs or MSN guys. Sheesh, show some professionalism. Lock and delete this thread please.

[luxurys]

Use PMs or MSN guys. Sheesh, show some professionalism. Lock and delete this thread please.

Why...this is fine to have a small thread where I can chat...

Also Dusty, I talked to Jani after your interview and she said that she thought you were okay....there were some things you slipped up on and she is waiting for your test to come in before you are firmly hired. Friday is just a test day really....so anyway. I will try and put in a good word for ya. Jani said they hire only about 5 or so people ever other week and she has already picked her top 7...soooo unless you do well on the test, you might have to try again in a few weeks she said.

Hopefully you get the job though. That would be cool if you came in here and worked...although I might be getting moved up soon.

[heerokenshin]

cool, yea man we are supposed to pm this stuff, ians getting pissed

[luxurys]

Ian can suck it....lol j/k
Why should I close this thread....its not hurting anything...its general discussion. He doesn't ahve to read what I posy at work if he doesn't want to.

I was planning on using this thread to post funny work humor and such....I dont know why people are mad at me...

There is this amazing technological invention called a blog.