I Hate Microsoft

[Chalenge]

They let the entire FS team (ACES) go. FS11 shelved indefinitely.   

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,674063/News/Developers_fired_-_The_end_for_the_Flight_Simulator_series/

[bongaroo]

They just cut some 5,000 jobs.  Maybe if they didn't unload crap like Vista on the world they'd be in a better position?

[avionix]

They just cut some 5,000 jobs.  Maybe if they didn't unload crap like Vista on the world they'd be in a better position?

Have Vista on my system at home and bugs the poop out of me.  They have gotten to be one of these companies that in their mind does no wrong and their poo don't stink.  That is not to say that they haven't put out good product.  Sad to see FSX go.

[Denholm]

WHAT?! It's time Bill Gates dropped by to kick some rears. After all, he founded the company.

[Skuzzy]

Co-founded with Paul Allen, actually.

Bill is responsible for Ballmer being in charge, so do not expect any help there.

[715]

Here's an interesting bit of info: http://www.appscout.com/2009/01/microsoft_confirms_flight_simu.php.  The MS spokesperson links future MS flight sim development to "Live" experiences implying a shift to online, perhaps pay as you go, flight simming.  (Which, if you recall, they tried once before with Fighter Ace.)

[drdeathx]

The article is vague and mistitiled. The title says fired the text says laid off. This is probably due to economic decision from Microsoft I would think.

[Getback]

I wonder how many people built AH compared to how many built FS. My guess is that they are getting rid of the bureaucratic bloat.


PS. Can't believe I spelled bureaucratic correctly the first time. (Gold Star)

[Chalenge]

Im not sure what they mean by 'Live' but I think the bureacrats at MS are looking at FS as just another game which would be a mistake owing to the large number of people loyal to the title. Maybe its time to tame XPlane?

[Denholm]

Co-founded with Paul Allen, actually.

Bill is responsible for Ballmer being in charge, so do not expect any help there.

Yes, I know Gates, "retired." However from my viewpoint Gates would still be in the picture as I assume he has some market share in the company?

[Skuzzy]

Ballmer is a bean counter.  To my knowledge, there has never been a successful software company headed by a bean counter.  Bean counters do not understand the 'creative' essence involved in programming.  All the gray areas.  Bean counters are all about black and white, with plans that cannot be altered.  There is no such thing as a surprise to the well endoctrinated bean counter.

Most of what makes a good bean counter is counter-productive in a software design business.

So he sticks to marketing.  It is something that makes sense to him.  It also makes him look foolish to the technical community.

Gates ego will never allow him to admit he made a mistake. At least publicly anyway,

[Getback]

Ballmer is a bean counter.  To my knowledge, there has never been a successful software company headed by a bean counter.  Bean counters do not understand the 'creative' essence involved in programming.  All the gray areas.  Bean counters are all about black and white, with plans that cannot be altered.  There is no such thing as a surprise to the well endoctrinated bean counter.

Most of what makes a good bean counter is counter-productive in a software design business.

So he sticks to marketing.  It is something that makes sense to him.  It also makes him look foolish to the technical community.

Gates ego will never allow him to admit he made a mistake. At least publicly anyway,

Getback <-------------- Bean Counter

Skuzzy, that hurts!   

Try teaching a Bean counter to become a Financial Analyst. They will throw GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) at you a 100 times before they understand it's all about the money boys! Been there. Took a whole semester for it to sink in as well as with my class mates.

Actually bean counters don't like marketing either. They want to spend money and we don't want to spend any.

It doesn't make sense though for some one to put a bean counter in charge of a company who's main product is creativity. Most bean counters I know view computers as only tools to get the job done and not so much as how they work.

[Skuzzy]

Hehe.  Nothing personal Getback.  All companies need a good bean counter.  Just have to mind how much authority you give them in the creatively dominated areas of a company.

[DREDIOCK]

Ballmer is a bean counter.  To my knowledge, there has never been a successful software company headed by a bean counter.  Bean counters do not understand the 'creative' essence involved in programming.  All the gray areas.  Bean counters are all about black and white, with plans that cannot be altered.  There is no such thing as a surprise to the well endoctrinated bean counter.

Most of what makes a good bean counter is counter-productive in a software design business.

So he sticks to marketing.  It is something that makes sense to him.  It also makes him look foolish to the technical community.

Gates ego will never allow him to admit he made a mistake. At least publicly anyway,

I've long said that if you ever want ot see a business get run into the ground. Put the bean counters in charge.
Bean counters are typically fantastic at counting beans. But terrible at running businesses outside of Wall street. (And based on what we see going on at Wall street lately. they aint real good at that either)
But particularly businesses that produce and/or sell products they seem to be particularly inept at.Businessmen should run businesses.
A bean counters only job should be to count beans.

[Vulcan]

Bean counters do not understand the 'creative' essence involved in programming.

You mean beer, pizza, and some form of caffeine?