From Design to Microsoft

I've just finished the book "UI design for programmers" by Joel Spolsky which my manager recommended me. Other than bad jokes, the book is actually pretty good. It is full of "obvious" facts that nonetheless aren't so obvious until you actually read them; all in all, a recommendable book.

Book aside, Joel is one of those guys that hates to love Microsoft… he worked at MS, still has many friends on the company and yet he regularly insist on attacking the company/products in his blog posts; sometimes with a good reason behind, sometimes out of absolute nonsense. Maybe I’m a bit like him…

After going to my first company meeting (a whole stadium full of Microsofties, imagine that!) I realized why I feel the way I do regarding Microsoft... it is hard for a company of this size to get things right in all areas... some product teams are a disaster, others are marvelous; which inevitable leads you to love and hate the company.

At the end of the day, I feel me happy of being part of one of the most powerful software companies in the world (like it or not :P ) and help to shape its future to, what I hope, would be a better Microsoft; more open, more “standard” and more customer focused. The really good news here is that I’m not alone… did you know Microsoft hired about 12,000 “new” employees just in the past year?... lots of new blood that will be put to good use and are not afraid of give love or hate when its needed :)

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