Ping 158: Ballmer talks the future, Microsofties hit High School, Stocking the Windows Store, Microsoft Gives

I though the High School link might have been to the new Surface Ad:

1 hour ago, Ian2 wrote

I though the High School link might have been to the new Surface Ad... 

Nope, this commercial was released after we filmed the episode.  What do you think of the commercial, though?

It reminds me back when I was in Foundation, it said Computer Science, but we learnt how to use Microsoft Word 2003.

IMO, selling OS without apps is just like selling house in deserted island or jungle.

@Paul II: Personally I am not that keen on the ad I preferred the more geek friendly  'pre-ad'.

That said, I think it is probably just the kind of ad that is needed to get some mass market appeal. 

BTW There is a whole thread about Surface Ads in the Coffeehouse

Shouldn't you be tucked up in bed?

Taught yourself Visual Basic?  Bah, you young whipper snapper.  I taught myself BASIC on a Commodore 64.  Stored my programs on tape.  When we wanted to load a program, we pressed "play", then we went outside to play while it loaded, came back four hours later, and then we could play the game.

Now get off my lawn.

4 hours ago, Yakko Warner wrote

When we wanted to load a program, we pressed "play", then we went outside to play while it loaded, came back four hours later, and then we could play the game.

[In a child-like voice] Is that why it's called "play", Grandpa?

Yay surface

Hmm the ad is a little weird, not for me.

Hmm, looks like you're a bit like the same as me, thought myselfs C# before I got in high school where I learned Action Script, then studying C++ in uni where I now am

The new setup looks nice, but the sound from Pauls Skype call sounds a bit weird, maybe its the volume level or something like that.

Anyhow, I dont believe its the amount of apps that counts. It doesn't matter if you got 30 Facebook/Twitter apps where they are all slow and buggy. If you had one briliant well developed Facebook app, it would be enough for me. I feel that a lot of apps on the current WP platform is lacking a lot of support and updates. The Spotify app for example feels (even worse) than Vista when it was in its early beta stages, and the Facebook app is realllyyy slow. If Microsoft would be able to keep their apps fast and bug-free, I believe it would be nice inspiration to other developers who might be able to even write even better apps.

And Paul, it would be awesome if you where able to make apps that doesn't affect the apps performance and still is not annoying the user

Virtual Paul's quality is improving. At this rate, he'll be a hologram standing next to Laura next month. However that may lead to rumors about his demise and how he inexplicably keeps on churning out new albums!

It would be in Microsoft's best interest to have this show broadcast to the masses.  Laura & Paul break it down so folks like me can understand what's new with Microsoft. 

Regarding the apps, I'm not worried; the apps will come in a hurry, afterall, it's Windows, not Linux.

Regarding the commercials, I think they're great.  My only gripe is that Microsoft has NOT explained to the average consumer, the difference between Windows 8 and RT.  That is a serious mistake.  Way back when, I recall Sinofsky or some MSFT rep saying "not to worry, we'll explain it."  They haven't and the commercials give the impression that Windows 8 is on the Surface devices.

Simply put,

Windows RT should NEVER had the desktop option; confuses things.

Windows 8 Surface devices should have been released first.

10 hours ago, Justin​MSalvato wrote

It would be in Microsoft's best interest to have this show broadcast to the masses.  Laura & Paul break it down so folks like me can understand what's new with Microsoft. 

Compliment of the year, right here!  Thanks!

I like the new setup with Paul in the little box on the left.
For some reason Paul seems to have gotten more informative now that he's doing the show remotely. Maybe it's because he has less distractions. 

1 day ago, Paul II wrote

*snip*

Compliment of the year, right here!  Thanks!

It's true and you're welcome!

Hey Laura, is Hot Apps dead?

6 days ago, dentaku wrote

I like the new setup with Paul in the little box on the left.
For some reason Paul seems to have gotten more informative now that he's doing the show remotely. Maybe it's because he has less distractions. 

Haha, I may have fewer distractions, but I have a ton more to do.  Funny how that works!

I'm glad you noticed a positive difference. I think the difference is that we have been much more consistent about determining the stories the night before so that I have time to research some of the unclear points and distill them into interesting anecdotes.

Just wondering, will there be a Ping Live Show on Build Conference ?