Jim Allchin posting a clarification of the comments referenced in this article on the vista team blog here:

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/12/12/title.aspx

it reads:

As part of one of Microsoft's on-going lawsuits, a piece of email that I sent to Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates recently became public. It was a rant encouraging a change to the way we were building Windows at the time. In the email, I made a comment for effect about buying a Mac if I was not working at Microsoft. Taken out of context, this comment could be confusing. Let me set the record straight:

This email is nearly 3 years old, and I was being purposefully dramatic in order to drive home a point. The point being that we needed to change and change quickly. We did: We changed dramatically the development process that was being used and we reset the Windows Vista development project in mid-2004, essentially starting over. 2-and-½ years later, Windows Vista has turned into a phenomenal product, better than any other OS we've ever built and far, far better than any other software available today, in my opinion. It's going to be available to customers on Jan 30, and I suggest everyone go out and get it as soon as you can. It's that good. The spirit of being self-critical continues to flourish at Microsoft. Within Microsoft everyone considers it their duty to always put their convictions and our product quality ahead of everything else. That was the intent of my mail to Bill and Steve, and I consider it a great example of how this company can focus and do what's right for customers.

jim

than any software available today? Wow, I better start getting in line now for the January 30th release date. I guess you'd expect him to say Vista is pretty good and all, but "far better than any software available today" seems like an absurd statement to make about ANY software.

Once again I think he is speaking for effect. Any hint that he doubts his own co-creation would be a bad sign. But overstating is a red flag to most of us anyway. Besides from what I've read, Vista is not that great and anything that remains the biggest computer virus magnet even with improvements can't be that great.

How does any of that support an antitrust lawsuit? I'm sure there's people who work at Ford (OK, not that MANY people work there anymore, but that's not the point) who'd like to buy a Lexus or something, but feel pressured to use the prouct of the company you work for.

As for losing sight and all, all companies face that problem (h***, Ford has that problem). Sure, Windows has its issues. We'd all love it if the OS didn't just stall as you're using it (just like a Ford! - OK enough of the Ford comparisons).

Finally, as to the best software ever comment, I mean, he said its his opinion. You have your opinion that he's wrong, but, then again, you don't know what he's comparing it to (obviously he can only compare it to the software he's run, which might be different versions of Windows, and Word Perfect 5.1).

He said "better than any other OS we've ever built".. meaning anything MS has ever put out. Not better than anything availabe today.

and lets remember that hes a head of microsoft. The blog is him just saving face. Otherwise, he could very well be liable for his comments. Look for him at the Apple store after he retires. :)

You just know Steve will be using this bit in his Keynote at MWSF...when the world's his stage.

Of course the moronic Allchin would have to babble something on his blog, trying to justify his own slip some time ago...after all, he is STILL at MS...

And what a joke...to assert that Vista is by far the best OS out there...we look forward to meeting ya at an Apple Store, Jimmy...pretty soon, I am sure...

give the guy a break… he can't afford to get fired before his retirement.

Um yeah, he did say that. He said it was better than any they've built. . . .

"and far, far better than any other software available today"

A foolish comment, but as Vista is not even out yet, it'd likely get him in much hotter water to say now something like "I think we've matched OS X." CYA.

but it's still just an opinion. Maybe he's never used anything else :P