Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 1st Feb 2007 01:12 UTC, submitted by jayson.knight
After 17 years with the company, Jim Allchin retired from Microsoft as of Jan. 30, 2007 the day on which Microsoft officially released the Windows Vista operating system to consumers. James (Jim) Allchin served as co-president of Microsoft's Platforms & Services Division from September 2005 until his retirement. In that position, Allchin shared overall responsibility with Kevin Johnson for the division of the company that includes the Windows and Windows Live Group, Windows Live Platform Group, Online Business Group, Market Expansion Group, Core Operating System Division, Windows Client Marketing Group, Developer and Platform Evangelism Group, and the Server and Tools Business Group.
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RE[2]: Gates and now Allchin
by Duffman on Thu 1st Feb 2007 06:27
in reply to "RE: Gates and now Allchin"
Member since:2005-11-23
Under Allchin, the MS Windows Group had traditionally thrived on a culture that resembles an academic colloquium. If you put enough grade A geniuses together, give them flexibility, and cultivate their creativity, then good things follow.
Well regarding all microsoft products, I can say that they have not enough grade A geniuses ...
RE[2]: Gates and now Allchin
by twenex on Thu 1st Feb 2007 10:25
in reply to "RE: Gates and now Allchin"
Member since:2006-04-21
It seems like a he was an executive that the engineers trusted and respected, rather than the management-oriented kind that engineers tend to despise (but get the job done on time).
Spoken like a true Microsoft marketing manager. "It doesn't matter if it's crap, just GET IT DONE ON TIME!!!"
Member since:
2005-07-08
I thought Allchin announced his retirement plans before Gates did. Maybe I'm wrong, but this has been planned for a long time.
If you want a name and face to associate with the <understatement> problematic </understatement> Vista development cycle, this is the guy. He accomplished great things for Microsoft through much of his career, but Vista will tarnish his legacy.
You can almost understand Ballmer's chair-throwing habit when you consider what you would do if your legendary senior executive fails to deliver in such spectacular fashion.
Under Allchin, the MS Windows Group had traditionally thrived on a culture that resembles an academic colloquium. If you put enough grade A geniuses together, give them flexibility, and cultivate their creativity, then good things follow. The exponential complexity of the Windows product invalidated this approach, and Allchin didn't make the appropriate adjustments.
It seems like a he was an executive that the engineers trusted and respected, rather than the management-oriented kind that engineers tend to despise (but get the job done on time).