It brought back vivid memories of Windows 3.1 and then Windows 95. I haven’t used Windows for a long time as my daily driver dependent only on Linux and then Mac (only for the software).
This is a ringside view for complex hierarchical systems, human resources and technology. Good recommended read.
It is a good read
People who thrived under Microsoft’s toxic management style still hold power in discouragingly large numbers, and find plenty of hiding places in the shadow cast by Gates (Ballmer has shown the good sense to properly and fully abscond, indeed, his abdication was likely his single most valuable contribution to the company’s future). Those made-men (because they are exclusively of that gender) have each other’s backs. A know-it-all manager moves to a new product group and his know-it-all team follows him. A newcomer exposes a fixed-mindset executive and that executive’s fixed-mindset henchmen all rise to support him. Their herd immunity protects them from any serious attempts to change them. Emulating Gates and Ballmer made them wealthy and powerful and it’s going to take more than hallway culture posters, some online training, and the odd cheerleading hashtag like #MicrosoftLife to change that. It’s going to require a zero-tolerance policy on cultural malfeasance… past and present.
via Speaking Truth to Power: Reflections on My Career at Microsoft
RadOncNotes 