Bill Hill - A Hike Around Microsoft's Forests (Happy Birthday Video #5)

Posted By: The Channel 9 Team | Apr 5th, 2005 @ 10:34 PM | 83,794 Views | 39 Comments
Last year Bill Hill, director of advanced reading technologies, was our first interview. And one of our most popular to boot.

One thing we remembered from last year was his explanation that Windows is not the most important OS.

It's a bit long (an hour and a half), but you'll learn all sorts fo things about reading, computers, Microsoft, and things like why pop-up ads hurt readability. Watch Bill get on the ground and demonstrate how humans started to read and write. Learn all about Microsoft campus (and get some lessons on the plant life there too).

Bill is passionate about tracking animals and spending time in nature, which he uses to understand how to make better type and layouts.

Bill was a newspaperman in Scotland before he got into computers in the 1980s and has many stories.

The paper, OSPREY, that he mentions is here (Microsoft Word format) and an interesting article about the best online reading experience is on Poynter Institute's Online site.
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#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 2:36 AM
GeoffC
GeoffC
Picture of a retired stiff
Another great video from Bill Hill. I hope you guys realise that you have a real gem in that man.

And I didn't find the video "a bit long" at all. In Bill's company, the time just flies by, and the content is fascinating and interesting to boot.

Thanks.
#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 7:05 AM
scobleizer
scobleizer
I'm the video guy
GeoffC: Thanks. I realize it. Glad to hear you liked it. It's always a risk to put up something that takes that much time.
#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 7:25 AM
Sven Groot
Sven Groot
My name has 9 letters. Coincidence? I think not...
I haven't watched all of it yet, but I intend to. I wonder how Bill feels about technology like digital ink and rollable displays like those being researched by Philips.

Also, Bill should be on National Geographic. Wink
#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 8:41 AM
Tensor
Tensor
Im in yr house upgrading yr family

This is a great video. Anybody who thinks development is about computer science first and last should watch this.

I love hearing people who are obviously pasionate about there work. I also love hearing from people who come at a job from a slightly odd angle and bring a new perspective to it.

Bill fulfills both of those criteria Smiley

#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 4:15 PM
scobleizer
scobleizer
I'm the video guy
That's awesome. You get the job!
#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 4:52 PM
koorb
koorb
I would loved for that excellent rant to be longer, but where is the Bill Gates interview!?
#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 5:05 PM
scobleizer
scobleizer
I'm the video guy
Bill gave a short interview to the .NET Show. We have some other suprises coming in our second year, though. Hang in there!
#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 5:44 PM
TDude
TDude
Wow that Microsoft Campus is huge!
Can everyone just walk there freely? Because sometimes I see people walking who are just there for the beatiful nature I guess. Some shots: 58m30s (I assume that child isn't working there) and 1h2m39s (looks like a free open entrance to the Campus).
Btw, I founded a nice wallpaper from the Microsoft Campus (which you can also see in the video at 1h10m9s and further): http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/images/gallery/bldg10_flags_lg.jpg
Also, nice story about how the Microsoft logo was created (1h10m29s).

Oh yeah, Happy Birthday Channel9!
#Apr 6th, 2005 @ 6:34 PM
koorb
koorb
scobleizer wrote:
Bill gave a short interview to the .NET Show. We have some other suprises coming in our second year, though. Hang in there!


Now I am really looking forward to This.
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