Steven Sinofsky addressed developer frustration and confusion about HTML5 vs Silverlight strategy

 "We've heard people express frustration over how little we've communicated so far about Windows 8." also "We've certainly learned lessons over the years about the perils of talking about features before we have a solid understanding of our ability to execute."

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/15/welcome-to-building-windows-8.aspx

He didn't address anything....was a big blog post of nothingness...

It was the first post of the new Windows 8 blog.  I don't know what ESgarbi was thinking, except perhaps to use a provocative but misleading title to increases views of his post.

8 minutes ago,Harlequin wrote

He didn't address anything....was a big blog post of nothingness...

Yes, he did. He just didn't give any specifics--yet. We now know that this blog is the forum by which they'll provide details about the progress of Windows and receive feedback from the public.

For the Windows team, this blog is an important part of developing Windows 8, as was our blog for Windows 7. Blogging allows us to have a two-way dialog with you about design choices, real-world data and usage, and new opportunities that are part of Windows 8. Together, we will start the unique adventure of bringing a major product to market. We're genuinely excited to talk about the development of Windows 8 and to engage thoughtfully with the community of passionate end-users, developers, and information professionals.

IOW, "save this space" and stop whining on C9 or the Silverlight forums.

2 hours ago,Harlequin wrote

He didn't address anything....was a big blog post of nothingness...

Here! Here! IMO the OP's title for this thread jumped the shark.

2 hours ago,cbae wrote

IOW, "save this space" and stop whining on C9 or the Silverlight forums.

If that's Microsoft's attitude then they've already lost the battle. That's right up there with "you're holding is wrong."

 He does have a point, there's no point in saying what Windows 8 will be if they're not sure they can deliver. It did happen with Vista and a lot of people were disappointed. It's better to see things once they're implemented any ways. 

As far as I can understand MS is doing a great job in sharing and getting feedback with the dev community.

What I find annoying is the fact of so many developers out there freaking out just because it was announced that MS is looking into allowing Html5/CSS3 apps to written in Windows 8 (who is really jumping the shark here?). I'm not a web developer and I'm not scared consequently I don't see what the big deal is.

Do you want to make a difference? Be part of the dialog and voice your opinion about writing software because it looks like Steven has opened the doors.

I supposed he mean they promised awesome WPF, but, they couldn't even make it work for WLE and VS during the early days. They probably don't have major apps running in WPF. Need to at least having a crazy WMP eye candy running on WPF or something.

13 hours ago,ESgarbi wrote

*snip*

What I find annoying is the fact of so many developers out there freaking out just because it was announced that MS is looking into allowing Html5/CSS3 apps to written in Windows 8 (who is really jumping the shark here?). 

Really? Haven't you noticed the vast increase in Microsoft talking about HTML5/JS as well as going native? It's not like they tacitly mentioned it and walked away. When was they last time you saw anything they've published about advancements in WPF? (Hint: do a search here in Channel 9 on "WPF" and tell me about all of the new article on WPF.)

Like Telerik said, MS feel (though I doubt it will be expressed) that they 'overreached' with Silverlight. 

HTML5 just represents an opportunity to correct this.

It wasn't said that "looking into allowing Html5/CSS3 apps to written in Windows 8"...the way it was spoken gave the impression that is was the only way to do apps. That's the impression some people got. That is what a PR department is supposed to fix, when slipups like that occur.

Same thing when Bob Muglia slipped up at that conference, giving the impression that Silverlight's only position will be in WP7...then Scott Gu fixed it with a PR fix that developers thanked him for.

@Harlequin:

Well, Vista Gadget is HTML only, so, maybe this is indeed HTML5 only as well. I have yet to see SL on Vista Gadget and they have never updated the Vista Gadget to support SL either.

I'll say this once more... if you have a problem with the direction MS is taking or proposing first take off your tin foil hat and be part of the dialog.

Our intent with this pre-release blog is to make sure that we have a reasonable degree of confidence in what we talk about, before we talk about it. Our top priority is the responsibility we feel to our customers and partners, to make sure we’re not stressing priorities, churning resource allocations, or causing strategic confusion among the tens of thousands of you who care deeply and have much invested in the evolution of Windows. Rather than generating traffic or building excitement, this blog is here to provide a two-way dialog about the complexities and tradeoffs of product development.

Well, I guess he flubbed his top priority in every conceivable way, and this bothers me. Most of my projects have long lead times, and the Windows Client applications have been completely wiped off the board. How's that for causing strategic confusion?

-Josh

2 hours ago,ESgarbi wrote

I'll say this once more... if you have a problem with the direction MS is taking or proposing first take off your tin foil hat and be part of the dialog.

Except nobody has a clue what direction MS is taking or proposing, hence the whole unease in the developer community in the first place.

1 day ago,Harlequin wrote

He didn't address anything....was a big blog post of nothingness...

At least he started the conversation...

@cheong:Talk about bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Bob Muglia started the conversation, and boy did people not like what they heard. Steve S and the Windows team can't just have ignored the furore that occurred when Bob left, instead they have had their heads buried in the sand, and are now asking for a conversation?

Read the blogs and the forums Steve S, start with the Silverlight and WPF ones at Microsoft, pass through here on Channel 9 and onto the dailies like Arstechnica.

well i hope they are going to listen but really IMHO Microsoft does ok at tech but gets an F at communications and marketing overall.

i do not know how they can fix this but i think it may be time for a new CEO and other high level seats to get new faces, but not just faces....  ones who can get together and make a TEAM out of the many camps / tribes that make up Microsoft.  if they can't get on to a solid plan then the failures will keep holding them back.