Dear Microsoft

October 13, 2008 By

I was deciding this morning whether or not to go to your Professional Developer Conference. It’s being hyped up as one of the most important in Microsoft’s recent history.

I’ve decided not to go for a variety of reasons. The economy. The numbers of bloggers and journalists who’ll be there (so many the stories will get out). My family, which has seen me on the road too much this year. The fact that I rarely get good videos at conferences (even when I worked at Microsoft I didn’t get any good videos at our own conferences).

But the stone that made the scale tip is that you have employees out there who are attacking bloggers without consequences. That makes me feel unwelcome, which I really don’t need given all my other concerns about attending. So, I’ll let someone else go in my place. Good luck with the PDC, I’ll read about it in my Google Reader.

Filed Under: technology industry Tagged With:
Newer Comments →
  • http://ianmikutel.com/ Ian Mikutel

    Does this have anything to do with the Twitter comments last night with Michael Arrington?

  • http://ianmikutel.com Ian Mikutel

    Does this have anything to do with the Twitter comments last night with Michael Arrington?

  • http://joshchandlerblog.blogspot.com/ Josh Chandler

    On Microsoft’s PDC site they talk about “Microsoft’s vision for cloud computing”, reminds me of the classic developer parody video made for TechNet 2007:

    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=B2G4Y_IaKTI

    Worth a watch if you have a spare 10 mins!

  • http://joshchandlerblog.blogspot.com Josh Chandler

    On Microsoft’s PDC site they talk about “Microsoft’s vision for cloud computing”, reminds me of the classic developer parody video made for TechNet 2007:

    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=B2G4Y_IaKTI

    Worth a watch if you have a spare 10 mins!

  • Justin

    Why didn’t you just say you didn’t feel like going.

    Pretty petty post I feel.

  • Justin

    Why didn’t you just say you didn’t feel like going.

    Pretty petty post I feel.

  • http://bits.samiq.net/ Samiq

    C’on Robert… really out of all the crap that came out yesterday in twitter is this the best excuse not to go jump over this event or get a free pass to set u straight?

    Dude, u better than anyone else should know the reality behind this bits of words behind a corporation as big as MS and giving crap because someone says something that might not please all of u… c’on that’s the problem… u all get into ur bigger heads and think u r the only ones allow to give other companies crap… and I am not saying this for you but from all this born at.

    I’d had expect something more mature out of all this…

    my 2 cents.

  • http://bits.samiq.net Samiq

    C’on Robert… really out of all the crap that came out yesterday in twitter is this the best excuse not to go jump over this event or get a free pass to set u straight?

    Dude, u better than anyone else should know the reality behind this bits of words behind a corporation as big as MS and giving crap because someone says something that might not please all of u… c’on that’s the problem… u all get into ur bigger heads and think u r the only ones allow to give other companies crap… and I am not saying this for you but from all this born at.

    I’d had expect something more mature out of all this…

    my 2 cents.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Samiq: it’s a trend. Not just what happened last night. But mostly it’s cause I really don’t expect to get much great video. I’d rather spend my time somewhere else. For instance, I’m going to see turnhere.com right now. That will be more interesting. Plenty of others will cover the Microsoft stuff.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Samiq: it’s a trend. Not just what happened last night. But mostly it’s cause I really don’t expect to get much great video. I’d rather spend my time somewhere else. For instance, I’m going to see turnhere.com right now. That will be more interesting. Plenty of others will cover the Microsoft stuff.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Samiq: oh, and I already had a free pass. Someone else can get better use out of that.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Samiq: oh, and I already had a free pass. Someone else can get better use out of that.

  • http://blog.componentoriented.com/ dlambert

    “you have employees out there”

    What are you talking about, Scoble? I follow a ton of feeds, including your Google shared feed, and I haven’t got a clue who or what you’re talking about here. If I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m pretty sure there’s a whole bunch of other people out there who don’t know what you’re talking about.

    What is it, exactly, that you’re reacting to?

  • http://blog.componentoriented.com dlambert

    “you have employees out there”

    What are you talking about, Scoble? I follow a ton of feeds, including your Google shared feed, and I haven’t got a clue who or what you’re talking about here. If I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m pretty sure there’s a whole bunch of other people out there who don’t know what you’re talking about.

    What is it, exactly, that you’re reacting to?

  • http://www.jimsmarketingblog.com/ jimconnolly

    Robert,
    I’m so glad you didn’t name the idiots attacking the bloggers – that’s EXACTY what they want!

    Jim Connolly

  • http://www.jimsmarketingblog.com jimconnolly

    Robert,
    I’m so glad you didn’t name the idiots attacking the bloggers – that’s EXACTY what they want!

    Jim Connolly

  • http://blog.offbeatmammal.com/post/2008/10/12/TechCrunch-on-a-quiet-news-day.aspx offbeatmammal

    so you’re not going to PDC because Dare said something that Michael didn’t like?
    it’s a shame that you won’t be there because you do add a certain something to the crowd (but I get the family aspect) but to say it’s because Microsoft are targetting bloggers when it’s actually one employees comment on a personal blog that sparked this seems a little dramatic.
    the second half of the 2:18pm response seems to ring closer to the real reason, but this has just given you a great way to position it for some controversy ;)

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    dlambert: I’m not going to say in public. That gives them more attention. It’s also not one person, but a few. It’s also not my only reason for not coming. Microsoft has its own media team who will scoop all the bloggers and journalists anyway and get better inside info than I ever could by going to such an event. So I see cost after cost, no benefit, and now I see blogging that’s anti-other blogging. It all added up to me to “no attend.”

  • http://blog.offbeatmammal.com/post/2008/10/12/TechCrunch-on-a-quiet-news-day.aspx offbeatmammal

    so you’re not going to PDC because Dare said something that Michael didn’t like?
    it’s a shame that you won’t be there because you do add a certain something to the crowd (but I get the family aspect) but to say it’s because Microsoft are targetting bloggers when it’s actually one employees comment on a personal blog that sparked this seems a little dramatic.
    the second half of the 2:18pm response seems to ring closer to the real reason, but this has just given you a great way to position it for some controversy ;)

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    dlambert: I’m not going to say in public. That gives them more attention. It’s also not one person, but a few. It’s also not my only reason for not coming. Microsoft has its own media team who will scoop all the bloggers and journalists anyway and get better inside info than I ever could by going to such an event. So I see cost after cost, no benefit, and now I see blogging that’s anti-other blogging. It all added up to me to “no attend.”

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    offbeatmammal: when I was at Microsoft PR told me to never attack anyone who used ink by the barrel. I wonder what changed? Now it’s OK?

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    offbeatmammal: when I was at Microsoft PR told me to never attack anyone who used ink by the barrel. I wonder what changed? Now it’s OK?

  • Brian Henderson

    Really, that would make great video! Nothing like FastCompany.tv catching the attacks live .. if true that would generate awesome consequences. If not sticks and stones; perhaps a live panel discussion on blogging ethics?

    “Employees out there who are attacking bloggers without consequences”.
    Are these attacking bloggers Microsoft employees? Perhaps you could enlighten us with who the ‘bloggers’ are and their ‘method of attack’.

  • Brian Henderson

    Really, that would make great video! Nothing like FastCompany.tv catching the attacks live .. if true that would generate awesome consequences. If not sticks and stones; perhaps a live panel discussion on blogging ethics?

    “Employees out there who are attacking bloggers without consequences”.
    Are these attacking bloggers Microsoft employees? Perhaps you could enlighten us with who the ‘bloggers’ are and their ‘method of attack’.

  • http://www.ehuna.org/ Emmanuel Huna

    Too bad Scoble – in PDC 2005, excluding meeting Bill Gates and getting his autograph, one of the highlights for me was walking down the LA convention center taking a big Channel 9 bean chair to my car and meeting you.

  • http://www.ehuna.org Emmanuel Huna

    Too bad Scoble – in PDC 2005, excluding meeting Bill Gates and getting his autograph, one of the highlights for me was walking down the LA convention center taking a big Channel 9 bean chair to my car and meeting you.

  • Anonymous

    Robert, can you please share us the details regarding a bloggers attack?
    If this is about Michael and Dare, can you please tell us your opinion?
    If this is about Michael and Dare, what consequences do you want to hear from Microsoft?
    If this is about Michael and Dare, what’s your opinion about the reaction from MA, the picture of the dog, the things about Dare’s dad.
    If this is about Michael and Dare, why are you insinuating it and why are you blogging about it? What has this to do with you personally?

  • http://socialsofties.net Jaap Steinvoorte

    Robert, can you please share us the details regarding a bloggers attack?
    If this is about Michael and Dare, can you please tell us your opinion?
    If this is about Michael and Dare, what consequences do you want to hear from Microsoft?
    If this is about Michael and Dare, what’s your opinion about the reaction from MA, the picture of the dog, the things about Dare’s dad.
    If this is about Michael and Dare, why are you insinuating it and why are you blogging about it? What has this to do with you personally?

  • NotGoingToPDC

    PDC is a waste of time and money. They promised heaven in 2003 and we got nothing. Five years later we still got nothing with every boring PDC.

    So no, it has nothing to do with Obasanjo, it is just that PDC sucks donkey tails.

  • NotGoingToPDC

    PDC is a waste of time and money. They promised heaven in 2003 and we got nothing. Five years later we still got nothing with every boring PDC.

    So no, it has nothing to do with Obasanjo, it is just that PDC sucks donkey tails.

  • Luiz

    Hi Robert, you the twitter thing is water under the bridge.
    Still I respect your decision.
    Btw, can I borrow your pass ?

  • Luiz

    Hi Robert, you the twitter thing is water under the bridge.
    Still I respect your decision.
    Btw, can I borrow your pass ?

  • http://www.nathanbrouwer.nl/ Nathan

    Doesn’t any MS employee have that disclaimer though that the thoughts expressed on their blogs don’t necessarily represent the companies. You above all should know this though.

    Anyway, I’m sure a lot of people will still go there and would be grateful to get that “free pass” opportunity. Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You…

    Ps. I really have no idea what happened and I agree with comments above, if you have more information concerning this, please share. Now you’re just being vague and leaving a lot to suggestion.

  • http://www.nathanbrouwer.nl Nathan

    Doesn’t any MS employee have that disclaimer though that the thoughts expressed on their blogs don’t necessarily represent the companies. You above all should know this though.

    Anyway, I’m sure a lot of people will still go there and would be grateful to get that “free pass” opportunity. Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You…

    Ps. I really have no idea what happened and I agree with comments above, if you have more information concerning this, please share. Now you’re just being vague and leaving a lot to suggestion.

  • http://www.winextra.com/ Steven Hodson

    Hmmm … Microsoft bloggers attacking Michael – that’s rich. How about seeing what actually transpired last night on Twitter

    http://www.winextra.com/2008/10/13/arrington-heats-up-twitter/

    The above links displays the *complete* exchange between Michael and MossyBlog on Twitter

    Funny it wasn’t other bloggers calling someone a moron and a jerk – it was Michael.

  • http://galaxyspectrum.com/ Public Relations

    Microsoft should not be held responsible over the actions of one Blogger on his own time and site.

    If Microsoft chose to silence him, you can just hear the global cries of Racism from all of his high level political connections in Africa.

    Techcrunch chose to run that story, thus giving him THOUSANDS of hits and attention that his relatively unknown blog would have EVER gotten any other way. ?-)

  • http://galaxyspectrum.com/ Public Relations

    Microsoft should not be held responsible over the actions of one Blogger on his own time and site.

    If Microsoft chose to silence him, you can just hear the global cries of Racism from all of his high level political connections in Africa.

    Techcrunch chose to run that story, thus giving him THOUSANDS of hits and attention that his relatively unknown blog would have EVER gotten any other way. ?-)

  • http://www.winextra.com Steven Hodson

    Hmmm … Microsoft bloggers attacking Michael – that’s rich. How about seeing what actually transpired last night on Twitter

    http://www.winextra.com/2008/10/13/arrington-heats-up-twitter/

    The above links displays the *complete* exchange between Michael and MossyBlog on Twitter

    Funny it wasn’t other bloggers calling someone a moron and a jerk – it was Michael.

  • http://silverlightme.net/ Al Pascual

    What MS employee attacked a blogger?

  • http://silverlightme.net Al Pascual

    What MS employee attacked a blogger?

  • Franci Penov

    Robert, do you really believe every single thing written by every single MS employee on any random website on the web is controlled and sanctioned by Microsoft PR? Otherwise your comment to offbeatmammal does not make much sense.

  • Franci Penov

    Robert, do you really believe every single thing written by every single MS employee on any random website on the web is controlled and sanctioned by Microsoft PR? Otherwise your comment to offbeatmammal does not make much sense.

  • Neil Mosafi

    I think everyone’s overreacting a bit. Most people’s blogs have a Disclaimer
    saying something like “The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer’s view in any way.”

    Have you actually seen a Microsoft blogger (e.g. someone who blogs on blogs.msdn.com attacking anyone) or is just personal blogs of people who happen to work for MS?

  • Neil Mosafi

    I think everyone’s overreacting a bit. Most people’s blogs have a Disclaimer
    saying something like “The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer’s view in any way.”

    Have you actually seen a Microsoft blogger (e.g. someone who blogs on blogs.msdn.com attacking anyone) or is just personal blogs of people who happen to work for MS?

  • http://blog.phantasyscape.com/ Gerardo Monreal

    Great “Dear John” letter! I especially liked the twist with the Google Reader at the end! Man that one is gonna sting….

  • http://trevorcarpenter.com/ Trevor Carpenter

    Ha, ha, ha!

    “I’ll read about it in my Google Reader.”

    That’s funny. Way to go, Robert. You made me laugh.

  • http://trevorcarpenter.com Trevor Carpenter

    Ha, ha, ha!

    “I’ll read about it in my Google Reader.”

    That’s funny. Way to go, Robert. You made me laugh.

  • http://blog.phantasyscape.com Gerardo Monreal

    Great “Dear John” letter! I especially liked the twist with the Google Reader at the end! Man that one is gonna sting….

  • Pingback: The Blogosphere is High School? | sarahintampa

  • http://www.netcrucible.com/blog Joshua Allen [msft]

    I won’t be there, either — hopefully we’ll see you at MIX.

    I’m amazed that you now feel that “megabloggers” like Arrington are above criticism now, while arguing that line employees at an organization shouldn’t be allowed to express personal opinions. You’ve certainly turned “Naked Conversations” upside-down and joined the dark side, if you really believe that.

    You know what it was like having people call MSFT and try to get you fired, and you know as well as I do that you crossed the line plenty of times and kept your job only because people stuck up for your right to speak your opinions. If you think that you stayed employed at MSFT by never screwing up, you’ve truly lost touch with your roots. I would expect more empathy for a fellow blogger from you, of all people.

    And if you followed Dare’s tweets, you’d see that he called out Boomtown and Alley Insider for the same biased gloating — and defending Google and Yahoo! is hardly “MSFT attacking TechCrunch”.

    I suspect that Mike Arrington was so flattered than someone would believe him relevant enough to impact stock market indices, that he wanted to draw attention to it. “Bill Gates Accuses TechCrunch of Swaying World Markets! I AM SHOCKED! PLEASE READ!”

Newer Comments →