Comments for Jon's Radio Comments

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by John Faughnan

John Faughnan — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 19:53:27 +0000

Ouch! On the one hand - congratulations! On the other — I wish you were going to Google or Apple. I really haven’t seen anything from Microsoft that suggests they’re substantially deviating from the long and intractable pattern often described by Robert Cringely. It’s almost impossibly hard to give up the revenue stream that comes with extending and preserving an operational monopoly, and I can’t see Microsoft becoming a force for good without surrendering the monopoly.

That said, I have great respect for you and maybe this is the first real sign of a change at Microsoft ….

Comment on Second Life, MTurk, and on-demand education by rachel

rachel — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 21:21:36 +0000

that company i love

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Steve

Steve — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:19:54 +0000

Jon:

Again, reading your comments since the early BYTE days and a pair of 5.25’s in a 286 gives this old man a long perspective on your gifts. And they most assuredly are that — Gifts to the readers from someone with a great instinct for the future in technology.

I look forward to seeing and hearing more of your creativity in the future. I do believe you will be a good influence on Microsoft’s environment and a push in positive directions.

May you continue to have fun in what you do and be successful. Enjoy and stay healthy!

Steve

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Scott Barnes

Scott Barnes — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 11:20:37 +0000

“…All too often, people wear their technology affiliations on their sleeve (or perhaps on their t-shirts), much as people did with chariot racing in ancient Rome. Whether you use NT or Linux, whether you program in Perl or Java or Visual Basic - these are marks of difference and the basis for suspicion…”

I recently also joined the Microsoft employment ranks from I guess being in the general population of Adobe (maybe slightly more vocal in my local Adobe community) and recieved everything from “Sell-out” emails through to my blog being dropped from syndication - simply for fear that it will be pro-MS and anti-Adobe etc.

Such comment above holds true and I look forward to reading more of your work Jon as I agree, your compass does point to “what works”.

Congrats

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Zune

Zune — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 16:25:30 +0000

I got this zune download that is a blast. i am glad microsoft is catching up. I know they get a lot of flack but i like them

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Giorgos

Giorgos — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 10:27:01 +0000

Congratulations Jon…

and thank you for your work throughout all these years. Thank you for introducing web technologies to me through your Byte columns back in the old days of the Internet. I owe you one in particular, because your column was largely a motivation for me to experiment. It all sounded so futuristic back then, and now, here i am working as a web developer. I do not want to give any advice for i respect your opinion - almost - unconditionally. Good luck at MS.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Peter Varhol

Peter Varhol — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:02:44 +0000

Hi Jon - Every once in a while, you say something that makes me sit up and begin thinking furiously. I’m sure that will continue. Make sure we know where to find you.

Comment on To be continued by Jai Chowdhury

Jai Chowdhury — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 12:53:49 +0000

Jon:
While we were at McGraw-Hill, our paths crossed a few times — you getting Byte online, and me doing the same with other science-and-tech pubs. If there was a clear voice in those confused times, it was you. I remember a “junket” to Orlando, where you so spoke so eloquently (and with appropriate gentleness) that you floored management into going with our project.
Now, with me chasing open-source dreams in small settings (the Thai-Cambodian border), I’m happy that you are once again following up with a new vision of what you were meant to do. You — Jon’s Radio — have always been on my feed list, wherever you and I’ve been going. Good luck, happy holidays,
Jai

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by suresh

suresh — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 15:31:36 +0000

Congratulations Jon,

Ive been an avid reader of Byte back in the late 80s early 90’s…. And for sure i had a lot of respect for your views as was the case when you moved to InfoWorld..

I dont doubt you will do great things to cross-pollinate within Microsoft, but please dont sell out. I know you are talking about software that works… i cannot agree more…

but lets hope people like you and Ray Ozzie can change MS to be less about proprietary platform lock-in.

Don’t forget Apple - OS X, Google - GMail, Mozilla - Firefox !! — remember to keep it real and don’t sell out!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Dan Thomas

Dan Thomas — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 21:56:03 +0000

Jon — I couldn’t resist ’signing’ your electronic farewell card along with fellow long-time followers (another Byte-era fan). Clearly this new role offers what you believe to be an effective way to engage and exchange with more people. The more folks exposed to your thought-provoking the better, I say.

I am curious, which puzzler question did MS ask during your interview?

Best wishes and happy holidays to you and family.

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by justinas

justinas — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:37:07 +0000

for me its easier to use xml standart. But csv I think is usefull if you need to do integrated jobs with MS programs, etc.

Comment on Why can’t Johnny download? Because he’s stuck in a semantic muddle. by justinas

justinas — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:32:47 +0000

I think its a question of usability. If its intuitive, its very simple for user. But its very hard for editors to make intuitive system. I know from my own expierence

Comment on Screen-sharing’s long tail by owenmdenham

owenmdenham — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 13:08:43 +0000

It is a nice article…..??

Comment on How translucency could defuse the Turnitin/McClean High controversy by Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 23:54:33 +0000

Mclean is spelled, well Mclean, not McClean

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Eric Newcomer

Eric Newcomer — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:51:08 +0000

John - just stumbled across this - let me add my congratulations and best wishes! I am sure we will be seeing you around the old “evangelist sphere.”

Eric

Comment on Screen-sharing’s long tail by Rich Baker

Rich Baker — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:22:02 +0000

Glance just released a beta version client for Macs. Now both PCs and Macs can host sessions. Simple one-button tool. See http://glance.net/macbeta for details.

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by Brian Mulloy

Brian Mulloy — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:50:50 +0000

Hi Jon,

I just realized my long-winded response to your questions didn’t get posted last week. That might be better for all us

Briefly, your point about “useful ones bubble up from a background of junk correlations” is one of the most important problems we have to solve at Swivel. 2 weeks ago we had only our friends and family using Swivel and very little data. Today we have 1400 data sets and 2300 registered users. So, now we can do a bunch of interesting tweaks to the rules in Swivel that help the interesting stuff come to the top.

Brian Mulloy
CEO & Cofounder
http://www.swivel.com

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by Brian Mulloy

Brian Mulloy — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:42:05 +0000

Hi Kingsley Idehen,

Right now Swivel is csv only. We have an internal prototype of an API that supports input and output with valid XML. Look for us to harden that API and release it in the first half of 2007.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Jon Udell

Jon Udell — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 13:21:57 +0000

“You’ve GOT to be kidding.”

Admittedly strange. The rationale was that the audio is part of a series that might be subscribed to independently of the blog.

Comment on Screen-sharing’s long tail by owenmdenham

owenmdenham — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 05:53:43 +0000

It is a nice article.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by rad

rad — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 04:23:55 +0000

Let me get this straight: You interviewed yourself about your new job, then podcast it THEN posted a transcript?

You’ve GOT to be kidding.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Vaughan

Vaughan — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:19:57 +0000

So much good stuff was part of this series! Good luck in next endeavor.

Comment on Screen-sharing’s long tail by Carli007

Carli007 — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 15:01:36 +0000

Yugma just launched their new release this week. I found it to be fast, very easy to use, reliable, Windows and Mac. And it looks to be free forever (not just trial). They have also introduced Yugma Widgets. Very very cool. let’s you put a button on your website that let’s you launch straight into a session with other people you invite.

Comment on To be continued by Yoz

Yoz — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:52:00 +0000

Huge congratulations to you, Jon. Your previously-stated reasons for being excited about Microsoft, along with your unsurpassed talent in creating, combining and writing about it all, make me jump-up-and-down excited to see what comes next.

Comment on To be continued by Sean Gilligan

Sean Gilligan — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:01:24 +0000

Correction: he’s only 18 months old in the video!

Comment on To be continued by Sean Gilligan

Sean Gilligan — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:00:08 +0000

Didn’t see your lawnmower video until today. I’m a push mower fan myself. So easy even a child can do it! Here’s my son (at age 2) pushing one (without the blade engaged):
http://msgilligan.blogspot.com/2005/02/liam-mows-lawn.html

Comment on To be continued by Paul R. Pival

Paul R. Pival — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:55:37 +0000

See you on the other side, Jon!

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by Robin

Robin — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:30:09 +0000

This looks to be an easiest way

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by Kingsley Idehen

Kingsley Idehen — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 17:04:02 +0000

Hi Brian,

Any chance of having the Swivel Data in one of the following forms:
1. Valid XML
2. Atom
3. RSS 1.x or 2.0
4. RDF/XML

If you can get 1,2, or 3. I can get you RDF/XML by way of automatic generation etc..

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Bruce Sharpe

Bruce Sharpe — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:46:01 +0000

I’m late to the party here, but as a long-time fan of your work Jon, let me add my congratulations. Microsoft is lucky to get you.

Bruce

Comment on Moderated 2nd-level domains by Paul Morriss

Paul Morriss — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:03:23 +0000

I see what you mean now. Thanks!

Comment on AJAX and automation by Jason R Briggs

Jason R Briggs — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:15:32 +0000

> For these two reasons — the transparency of the HTTP pipeline, and the accessibility of
> the JavaScript object model — I think that AJAX is inherently more automatable than conventional
> GUI apps ever have been.

Well you *would* say that. You work for Microsoft.

Joke…

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by Jon Udell

Jon Udell — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:32:06 +0000

Hi Brian,

Yes, there’s more there now. It would be interesting to hear more about the purpose and method of these elaborations. And also, since a month’s worth of data is not anything to base trends on, it’d be interesting to see, for some more robust data set:

- Some examples of useful correlation within and across data sets

- How people can make the useful ones bubble up from a background of junk correlations

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by Brian Mulloy

Brian Mulloy — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:49:26 +0000

Hi Jon,

We just happened to do a new deployment of Swivel early this morning. Not sure if you saw the page before or after that deployment. We had a bunch of stuff broken at launch, including our Swivel robot that generates graphs for us (I had a nasty bug in the crawler code I had written, yikes). If you go there now, do you see the same stuff you saw when you posted? At the moment, for your uploaded data Swivel has generated 1 primary trend graph, 8 scatter plots and 8 comparison trend graphs for each column. that’s about 150 or so graphs (plus each graph’s data table) for you and the other Swivelers to cruise.

Thanks for the post about Swivel.

Brian Mulloy
CEO & Cofounder
http://www.swivel.com

Comment on Data formats for digital democracy: XML vs CSV by BillyG

BillyG — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:30:11 +0000

I was just searching on this migration the other day, always looking for an easier way to visualize my delicious database. One day I’ll hit pay-dirt. Thanks.

Comment on Moderated 2nd-level domains by Jon Udell

Jon Udell — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:41:42 +0000

“I don’t see what the big deal is.”

It’s not a huge deal, but there is some useful difference — in terms of a priori trust — between http://www.barclays.co.uk/, where co.uk is unmoderated, and http://www.barclays.bank.uk, where bank.uk is moderated by the relevant policy-making authority.

Comment on Moderated 2nd-level domains by Paul Morriss

Paul Morriss — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:05:36 +0000

We’ve had these in the UK for years, as far as I know. .co.uk, .org.uk .nhs.uk for the National Health Service, .police.uk, .gov.uk, .ltd.uk for limited companies. I don’t see what the big deal is.

Comment on Why can’t Johnny download? Because he’s stuck in a semantic muddle. by William Frantz

William Frantz — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:02:55 +0000

> where does Johnny get a) publicly accessible
> webserver space that b) he can use to store
> files, c) which is integrated into the way
> he uses his desktop or email.

There are lots of options. http://yousendit.com and http://send6.com are a couple examples.

Comment on AJAX and automation by Rahul Dave

Rahul Dave — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:42:53 +0000

If you architect things allright, the AJAX interface would be innerhtml-xmlhttping a restian setup to get its data. Since one can orthogonally handle context and authorization through cookies and headers, the restian url can be exposed for composability whereas the ajax does the UI.

In other words, the UI ought to be a client for the restian interface. Hopefully, web2.0 platforms expose this in a systematic way.

A question though: can one extend this architecture so that the javascript UI can work offline, allowing ajax applications to be carried around. This would seem to need some caching and a local ‘replay’ web server which has a local copy of the data…

Comment on AJAX and automation by Daniel Fisher

Daniel Fisher — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 17:15:11 +0000

I can definitely understand where McGrath is coming from… I’ve seen browser-based tools that rely on Javascript *too* much (e.g. a form won’t work unless it’s post-processed by an ‘onsubmit’ javascript event-handler).

That was preventing me from getting information out of some web-based tools because I couldn’t access them via a normal web-spider (in Perl, my preferred development language).

(As an aside, if you are writing web-spiders in Perl and not using WWW::Mechanize, it’s like you’re programming with an abacus.)

After trying to imitate the actions (setting cookies, creating hidden fields) that javascript would have performed in Perl, I found this module:
http://search.cpan.org/~abeltje/Win32-IE-Mechanize-0.009/

Win32-IE-Mechanize supports the WWW::Mechanize API while driving an IE browser!!!

The inadvertent blocking of information flow that a dependency of javascript caused can (usually) be sidestepped by just driving a browser directly.

I haven’t tried this technique with AJAX-heavy sites yet. But, I think this is a solid path to automation.

I imagine there are equivalents for Win32::IE::Mechanize for other languages (and while there’s a Firefox/Mozilla equivalent I couldn’t get it to install) since (I think) this module is really just a very thin layer on top of a InternetExplorer COM object.

So, in this case MS did something right… Jon, I hope you can help them continue

Thank you for your time,
Daniel Fisher

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Mark Jones

Mark Jones — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 04:21:03 +0000

Hey Jon - great news and it sounds like a perfect fit. You’re a natural at digital evangelism - I’ve got you to thank for walking me through my first tentative steps into the blogosphere during my time at InfoWorld.

Comment on Hunting the elusive search strategy by Doug Kretzmann

Doug Kretzmann — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 23:45:05 +0000

Interestingly I work for a large enterprise-software company in technical support - a good deal of our support, in the WS-* space particularly, and third-party products in general, is also largely comprised of effective Googling. This particular skill is widely variable, even within the support department.

From the first inception of the web, I always maintained that what it really needed was a few good librarians..

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Lili Cheng

Lili Cheng — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 17:57:49 +0000

Such great news! Welcome! I have been a long time fan, I hope we can work together, and I can’t wait for you to come up here!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by DiegoV

DiegoV — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 04:30:37 +0000

The podcast version of the auto-interview sounds a little weird, as if it was recorded by a computer voice. Of course I am tempted to joke you have been assimilated My interview is this week, wish me luck!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Ken Kennedy

Ken Kennedy — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:18:32 +0000

Good luck, Jon! I certainly hope things work out well.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by dorai

dorai — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:30:52 +0000

Hi Jon,
This is great news. Congratulations. Now I get to meet you more since I will be visiting Seattle 3-4 times a year.

–Dorai

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Roger Jennings

Roger Jennings — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 00:47:39 +0000

Jon,

I second Jeremy Zawodny’s comment. It’s by luring folks of your stature that Microsoft succeeds.

–rj

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Gavin Brelstaff

Gavin Brelstaff — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 20:23:33 +0000

From the 50 or so positive comments above Jon I bet you’re pleased you got the wordpress system up and running!

Take the parallel of Tim Bray aligning with Sun - it seems to have improved both him and Sun. I hope the gorilla is equally mutual.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Joe Beirne

Joe Beirne — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 20:03:03 +0000

Jon-

Congratulations and best of luck: I think this is a brilliant move for Microsoft and one that I hope will help you to pursue your terribly important work. I suspect it will.

I made an analgous move exactly one year ago and initially had many of the misgivings that you no doubt also had. I had only the ‘wait and see what happens before you judge this’ tact to fall back on, and was slapped by more than one former colleague with the accusation of selling out. In hindsight I traded a somewhat tenuous independence for a better-funded one. My current keepers are no more interested in unquestioning loyalty than any of my old clients were. The difference is - now my critiques have more teeth.

From the selfish point-of-view of their employer, an analyst is only useful when he says exactly what he thinks, and an evangelist is only credible when he says exactly what he believes. I am certain that you can only continue to do both.

Cheers,

Joe Beirne
New York

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by anjan bacchu

anjan bacchu — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 17:18:35 +0000

hi jon,

congrats on your move! Visiting Infoworld will be less pleasant

I don’t have anything new to add to the scores of people who’ve commented earlier — reading all the comments will tell us how much you’ve influenced people.

I hope that will continue to cover Java and Open Source.

Good Luck!

BR,
~A

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Michael Winser

Michael Winser — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 14:55:49 +0000

I have long appreciated and admired your insights and your amazing ability to pull up your sleeves and get disparate technologies to work together in useful ways.

Many years ago I was a Technology Evangelist at Microsoft. The job has changed but the need has not.
Microsoft is at its best when it is focused on adding value for customers (users and developers) instead of its partners or insane attempts to lock us in. Smart, articulate, capable people you are a huge part of that.

I know you will find Microsoft to be filled with passionate alpha-geeks like yourself. Give them voice. Connect to them to the outside.

I look forward to great things.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by james

james — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 14:04:04 +0000

Jon, please reconsider. Us enterprisey folks who practice Management by Magazine truly appreciate the integrity you bring to the table in not showing favoritism for vendors, evangelizing non-commercial open source and even actually testing the products you write about, something of which we simply can’t seem to get or even expect from industry analysts…

If I can be so bold as to ask for one favor, please get someone at MS to consider extending DRM to work with ADFS along with a continued conversation around entitlements where MS shows others how to do this right.

Best wishes

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Gardner

Gardner — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 11:05:20 +0000

Congratulations, Jon, on this terrific opportunity.

As an artist of the possible, and as a generous human being, you have inspired and instructed me every step of the way. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead, for you and for all of us. Godspeed!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Glenn

Glenn — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 08:48:04 +0000

While I wish you were going to Google instead (to my way of thinking, that’s a more natural fit for you, with at least the same level of exposure as at MS), I am always happy to read what you wish to share.

I hope the change will keep you energized for some time to come, and I wish you the best of luck in your new environment.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by John Porcaro

John Porcaro — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 04:56:55 +0000

WELCOME! I look forward to working with you, along with Jeff/Tina/Laura/Duncan/Larry. Great team!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Arianne Brott

Arianne Brott — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 03:46:06 +0000

Personally, and I’ve been a follower of yours for a while, this move totally undermines your credibility. You’ve gone from being a neutral and learned pundit, to being a shill for a company that specializes in being sued for anti-competitive business tactics. I’m very disappointed - why doesn’t Microsoft just buy InfoWorld?

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Edward Vielmetti

Edward Vielmetti — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 03:12:24 +0000

Congratulations Jon!

http://vielmetti.typepad.com/superpatron/2006/12/congratulations.html

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by horacio

horacio — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 02:05:41 +0000

Some months ago we exchanged mail about how sad it was that the BYTE days were long gone.
I have a somewhat resembling feeling now, something good old and familiar leaving, something new yet to come.

I’m probably not the most optimistic geek you will find when Microsoft is involved, but if some well needed change has any chance of being made, it will certainly have to made from the inside, you certainly have the credentials and track record to be a part of that change. (and that huge challenge)

Great success, good night and good luck, Mr Udell.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by David Magda

David Magda — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 01:46:27 +0000

Good luck.

Just curious, but what will happen to all the articles posted at weblog.infoworld.com/udell?

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Chaim Krause

Chaim Krause — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 01:07:56 +0000

Congratulations Jon! I have heard nothing but great things from my friends who have gone to work for Microsoft. I am sure you will have lots of fun and that you will be a great influence on everyone and everything you come into contact with while you are there. The best of luck to you.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Peter Zingg

Peter Zingg — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 01:03:09 +0000

Jon, best of luck in Redmond. I knew about Channel 9, which definitely was a big and positive move for Microsoft. I am a little more concerned about your working for Channel 10, which I only saw today for the first time.

I sure hope you can add some lower-key intelligence to Channel 10, which just seems to be a site for $ofties to feel good about how their products have been marketed (either by MS itself: Zune) or by some of the corporations they have a stranglehold on (HP: kitchen computer).

I have faith that you’ll be able to see the best mashups of all that .Net stuff with the more open standards and web services “for the rest of us”.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Michael Bernstein

Michael Bernstein — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:14:44 +0000

Hmm. Try that link again:
http://us.pycon.org

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Michael Bernstein

Michael Bernstein — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:13:38 +0000

Wow, this is a huge move, and one I totally didn’t see coming. I particularly appreciate this reason you gave: “Jim Hugunin, who created both Jython and IronPython, is making my favorite open source scripting language, Python, a first-class citizen of the .NET platform.”

So, does this give you a fresh reason to come to PyCon (http://us.pycon.org) ?

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by orcmid

orcmid — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:24:55 +0000

Wow, I get my RSS feeds from crashed NewsGator over into RssBandit and what is the most exciting thing to pop up when I say “Update All Subscriptions Now!”

I’m enthralled, excited, and intrigued. Great move! Congratulations.

It’s easy to see you making a terrific contribution to the way Microsoft is transforming itself this time around. (Beside providing full-content feeds now instead of having to point to the sheet, perhaps?)

All right, we need a Geek dinner on your first relaxed stay in Seattle/Redmond.

You’ve made my day.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by steve clayton

steve clayton — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:16:35 +0000

Great stuff Jon. What you’re going to do on Jeff’s team sounds fantastic. I loved this line about “This isn’t your father’s — or maybe your older brother’s or sister’s — Microsoft”. I’m trying to follow a similar agenda from the UK with the help of Hugh MacLeod’s Blue Monster cartoon “Microsoft: Change the World Or Go Home” - http://blogs.msdn.com/stevecla01/archive/2006/12/08/blue-monster-lithographs.aspx

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Steve Clayton: Geek In Disguise : blue monster lithographs

Steve Clayton: Geek In Disguise : blue monster lithographs — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:16:02 +0000

[...] On a related note, Jon Udell is coming to Microsoft from Infoworld with a remit that has some alignment with the conversations Hugh and I have been having. Looking forward to having another like minded soul in Redmond! [...]

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by francine hardaway

francine hardaway — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 21:36:15 +0000

How funny! I have just cancelled (decided not to renew) my subscription to InfoWorld, so I must be psychic. Good luck, Jon; send all of us your URL.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Paul Bouzide

Paul Bouzide — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 21:24:20 +0000

I can only echo the congrats Jon and the sentiment captured earlier that you are the main reason I (okay Yager too) read InfoWorld. I’ve always respected your platform agnosticism and interoperability/integratability perspective. I can hope you’re able to further that meme in Redmond. And since I know that CSS conformance in IE is one of your peeves I’ll be looking at that as a testcase. I also wonder how Steve Gilmor will reconcile your move (and stated rationale, which I deeply respect) with his “Microsoft Is Toast” opinion…

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Michael Lehman

Michael Lehman — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:43:45 +0000

Jon,

Welcome to the party! As someone who goes back to before there was a Microsoft and who only joined up 2 years ago, after 20+ years on “the other side” I can tell you working here the best thing I’ve done in decades.

I used to work for Jeff and still do work in the same org focusing on MicroISVs, Compilers and producing audio/video/screen podcasts for C9 and On10. I look forward working with to continuing to shake things around here You might want to check out http://www.projectglidepath.net to see what kinds of non-traditional things we’re doing!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Stanley Krute

Stanley Krute — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:21:52 +0000

Excellent. This’ll be good for all parties.

And thanks for noting the over-riding issue: we need to evolve faster than ever to make this planet workable for all living beings. Cyber-shmootz is our big lever.

– stan

ps — get to know balmer. he’s a fine lunatic.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Seth Dillingham

Seth Dillingham — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:12:07 +0000

Like lots of others have said, “congratulations!”

I too am curious to know if you’ll be moving to Redmond or staying in Keene or something else entirely.

Haven’t forgotten the help you gave us with Conversant, both via your book and when we met at your house many years ago.

I hope this is a successful, fascinating, and rewarding change for you.

Seth

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by John Lam

John Lam — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:59:03 +0000

Congratulations on the new role - are you moving up to Seattle? Looking forward to seeing you again.

-John

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Paulo Eduardo Neves

Paulo Eduardo Neves — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:57:40 +0000

Hey, please let us know about your new web space. I read you for so long time that I don’t want to miss anything.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Ben Smith

Ben Smith — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:23:23 +0000

Jon!
I’ve obviously failed in my religious duties. Alpha geeks need much more life in the Caribbean and good Rhum than the average geeks. It may be to late to bring you back to light and wisdom of doing less in more time, but the offer will always stand: you are welcome crew on the Sailing Vessel Mother of Perl.
The truth is, I never did understand what you were doing, so I shouldn’t try liberating you from your devious ways. -perlcapt

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Adrian McEwen

Adrian McEwen — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:19:40 +0000

Congratulations. I always enjoyed my trips to Seattle when I was part of MS, it’s a lovely part of the world whether you’re a visitor or moving there. I look forward to continuing to follow what you get up to.

And as Tristan says, what’s your new feed address?

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Juan Garcia Garcia

Juan Garcia Garcia — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:14:55 +0000

I am a reader of your articles since “unix days” in Byte.
This move seems to be a dangeorous one for you. Are you sure you wont be part of the next “embrace and extend”?

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Jerry Mead

Jerry Mead — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:14:09 +0000

Congratulations, Jon. I first read you in Byte and bought my first 386/20 in the same week, and have been tracking your and Microsoft’s progress ever since. I’m quite sure that this is a good move for you, and wish you happiness and fulfilment in spades.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Deepak

Deepak — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:00:53 +0000

Jon,

This is a great move, especially if we get to see you around the Seattle area. It’s a great move for Microsoft. I think you can do more for them than Scoble ever did (which was quite a lot).

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Beer28

Beer28 — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:48:02 +0000

I never liked infoworld anyway.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Mike McCallister

Mike McCallister — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:45:17 +0000

Jon,

Best of luck on the new adventure. May both parties (and the rest of us) benefit from your time there. You have been one of the main reasons I hang on to my InfoWorld sub, and I look forward to picking up the feed at the new digs.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Jeff Barr

Jeff Barr — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:30:26 +0000

Hi Jon, will you be relocating to Redmond? Would be great to have you as part of the tech community out here.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Mike Olson

Mike Olson — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:25:08 +0000

Wow, Jon. Big news, and a tremendous hire for Microsoft.
It was fun working with you when I was at Sleepycat. If there are ways to continue doing that now that you are at Microsoft and I am at Oracle, let’s do it!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Rahul Dave

Rahul Dave — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:17:40 +0000

Congrats Jon!

While I always thought that you might actually strike it out on your own, your new journey sounds like fun.

Microsoft has always had neat new stuff which the devil of windows only has managed to imprison in a echo chamber. Ray Ozzie’s groove comes to mind, Hailstorm comes to mind..and there are many others back in time. While the business case for windows imprisonment is easy to make, the smartest people always dont work at your company, and dont always use your platform. You have always kept that in mind, starting from the first time I read you in Byte, continuing through Practical Internet Groupware and Infoworld. I have a feeling you will be a highly successful ‘evangelist’, even and perhaps most importantly, within!

Will you still be staying in Keene?

Rahul

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Bo Drejer

Bo Drejer — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:07:51 +0000

Jon,

Welcome to Microsoft!! I am so thrilled about this. I have been following your column and podcast for years…from little Denmark…You are one of the main reasons i am able to almost keep up on technology although my role is now almost 100% business oriented!

I am so pleased by you joining, this is just what we need! I am sure you will really make an impact!!!

Ciao & Stay Cool
/Bo

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Robert W. Anderson

Robert W. Anderson — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:54:42 +0000

Congratulations, Jon. Good for you and very good for Microsoft.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Jeff Sandquist

Jeff Sandquist — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:54:42 +0000

Welcome to the team Jon. I can’t wait to start working together.

This will be a lot of fun!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Sam O. Rogers

Sam O. Rogers — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:24:46 +0000

Jon,

I have been reading your opinion columns and blogs for some time now. Quite frankly, while I wish you well, I am disappointed. I have been trying to get some feel around this “internet thing”, and have been trying to put together some guidelines. I have been reading your columns and blogs to try to determine what these should be. I don’t agree with everything you say, but take into account the insight you have due to the amount of time you’ve been dealing with nuts and bolts things. I’ve picked up a couple of clues here and there. But one of my main concerns is as follows:

All web pages should be compatible with any browser from Netscape Navigator 3.0 through IE 7, and run equally well from Windows 3.1 Mac OS 7.5 and Redhat Linux 4 through the latest Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems. Web pages should display the same on all browsers. It should never be a case where the web page is a method to force a user to upgrade web browser or operating system. A user should never be forced to fork over more cash, because some company has conned the web page developer to use a new tool, or upgraded a tool currently in use so that it breaks web pages that previously worked.

Now I understand that new features are being designed that can only be accessed with a new program. But quite frankly after the ability to download and play a video clip, to my mind there has been no new real functionality added to the internet, just fancier ways of doing this. The ability to post forms, and run Javascript has been there since release 3 of Netscape. The only other thing that has really been added are a bunch of bug fixes to fix problems bad people take advantage of. Again, that should not be an excuse to extort more money, but is a defect in the original problem that the supplier should take care of as a matter of course to provide a reliable product.

I will continue to read your columns, and blogs, but I’m afraid I will be able to obtain less useful information, because of a slant towards a particular product. I am hoping you will either you prove me wrong, or you have an influence at Microsoft that will truly make a difference, or both.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Bernard Struyf

Bernard Struyf — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:21:05 +0000

Congrats Jon! We love Microsoft as much as you do, and now there will be one more reason! Good luck & let’s stay in touch…

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Richard Eckel

Richard Eckel — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:58:54 +0000

Jon,

I second Jeremy’s comments, Jon. A broader audience will now hopefully benefit from your talent and perspective, and Microsoft will definitely be the better for it…Keep on keepin on…

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Jim Russell

Jim Russell — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:33:11 +0000

I’m looking forward to following you on your new adventure.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Sheila Lennon

Sheila Lennon — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:26:52 +0000

Thank you for Library Lookup — one of your gifts to the mainstream that keeps on giving. That viral bookmarklet is the most useful tool a voracious reader can have.

I hope your future is bright.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Chris Booth

Chris Booth — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:17:21 +0000

Will we still get periodic updates about conditions in Keene? Or will you be relocating?

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by bajames

bajames — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:16:05 +0000

Congratulations - keep up the excellent work wherever you are.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by bajames

bajames — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:15:43 +0000

Congratulation - keep up the excellent work wherever you are.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Danny

Danny — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:54:23 +0000

Congrats Jon!

Keep up the good work.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Paul Conley

Paul Conley — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:53:52 +0000

Congratulations Jon.
I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving IDG. This is a big loss to that company, and to journalism. But as long as I know I can still see your work, I won’t be too upset.
Good luck.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Bruce Curley

Bruce Curley — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:31:11 +0000

I learned a great deal from this post. I look forward to learning more when you are with Channel 9.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Chris Ryland

Chris Ryland — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:31:09 +0000

Please do keep on doing what you’ve been doing, Jon. God speed in your new ventures.

(From a minor founder of Byte (along with Carl Helmers and Dan Fylstra (Mr. Visicorp) back in, oh, what, ‘73?), who’s always enjoyed your work.)

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Bernie Thompson

Bernie Thompson — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:25:27 +0000

I’ve been enjoying your ideas and writing since the Byte days. I have the utmost respect for you, Jon — Microsoft has made a great catch here! It won’t always be easy — great people (I’m thinking of Ward Cunningham as an example) have come to Microsoft and came away frustrated. Watch your expectations. But your goals seem more doable (To continue and expand what you’ve been doing). And, selfishly, I’m happy that you’ll spend more time up here in the Pacific Northwest — more chances to talk again. Congratulations and good luck!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Rich Kilmer

Rich Kilmer — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:01:03 +0000

Very cool Jon! Its great to see great people pooling their talents in Microsoft. I know you will not be shy in trying to influence Microsoft for its (and our) best. I will look forward to your ongoing contributions to this small community named the Internet and computing in general.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Patrick Mueller

Patrick Mueller — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:52:27 +0000

Interesting. Make some waves!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Matthew Hile

Matthew Hile — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:50:48 +0000

Great interview with a person who I have always felt really “knows” what we can do with computers to help meet real people’s needs. I have been reading and trusting you for the last two decades and I will continue to do so. Congratulations and good luck!

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Jeremy Zawodny

Jeremy Zawodny — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:48:21 +0000

Congrats, Jon.

You’ll have a great time in the job and Microsoft will be better for it.

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Tristan Louis

Tristan Louis — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:47:00 +0000

Congrats on the move. So, what will your new blog URL be? It’s important for us all to know so we can subscribe to your new feed

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Sean McGrath

Sean McGrath — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:10:00 +0000

Congrats Jon.http://seanmcgrath.blogspot.com/2006_12_03_seanmcgrath_archive.html#116558688494530212

Comment on A conversation with Jon Udell about his new job with Microsoft by Ed Bilodeau

Ed Bilodeau — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 13:20:04 +0000

Congratulations on the new job! As I noted on my blog, I’ve followed and respected your work from your Byte days, and think its great to see you move to Microsoft. I think your instincts on this are dead on. Again, congrats, and enjoy your sabbatical!

Comment on General-purpose intermediation by anjan bacchu

anjan bacchu — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 10:09:51 +0000

hi jon,

disclaimer : I’m a developer.

We develop for I.E and we use Fiddler as the user friendly proxy for capturing and replaying HTTP requests.
Mindreef is excellent but can get expensive(since it’s an annual subscription).

Also, Ethereal (or its new avatar WireShark) can be useful in doing the same job. And Wireshark is available on many platforms ONLY it is not userfriendly. If I have to use it, I will use it but if there are more user friendly alternatives, I’d use those.

I look forward to Fiddler for Firefox. One of the things that I don’t like about current Firefox plugins is that all the plugins are IN-PROCESS extensions. We need more and more of OUT-OF-PROCESS extensions (just like Brendan Eich’s posting http://weblogs.mozillazine.org/roadmap/archives/2006/10/mozilla_2.html hinted at) like Fiddler. Whether I want those plugins OR not for all my apps(tabs), they are forced on me.

It will be nice if the plugins do work only when I ask them to.

I look forward to the next geek who will build the HTTP PROXY equivalent of Mark Russinovich’s excellent Regmon, FileMon tools (which are very efficient in monitoring registry and file acceses). In terms of architecture, a HTTP proxy would be similar. Will Microsoft ever release Filemon’s source ?

BR,
~A

Comment on Hunting the elusive search strategy by Bob Watson

Bob Watson — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:12:39 +0000

I’m glad a couple people noted the reference librarian connection.

In my view, the reference librarian can offer four avenues of help in the search process. The first, possessed by many but by no means a majority (IMNSHO), is “expanded cultural literacy.” This is a more exact understanding of what the seeker wants than what the seeker actually possesses. This leads to better search terms.

The second, rarer and hard to find given how libraries silo staff members, is actual subject expertise. If you’ve got a legal question, go to a law librarian. If you can find one available.

The third is searching expertise. Readers here no doubt can google on their own, but there are always “tricks of the trade” and an understanding that some search engines are better than others for a particular purpose.

The fourth is access to proprietary databases. Lots of good stuff … often the best stuff … simply isn’t in the spiderable public domain.

Comment on Hunting the elusive search strategy by Jim

Jim — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:26:35 +0000

Interesting thoughts but as noted by others this is a common problem. I think it is actually on of the reasons MS Help files are claimed as “unhelpful”.

Think about it, your knowledge doesn’t match the developer/help file builder knowledge and your “tags” don’t tie either. That makes it hard.

Like anything else you have to start understanding the method to the madness before you can succeed quickly. That may be worth $100 per hour if you have to focus on marketing, sales or delivery tasks that have an equal or greater worth. Outsource where it makes sense is the rule of thumb.

Comment on “We found the version control, collaboration and invite system outweighed the limited feature set” by Jim

Jim — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 02:16:06 +0000

I think a big obstacle here is the mindset of IT folk that it’s probably not good enough for enterprise use if there is no budget line.

Having said that, this stuff is not free, with the potential to do just about anything (with your stuff) with a single click. Oops, we goofed! Nah, that couldn’t happen to Google.

Comment on Hunting the elusive search strategy by Avi Rappoport

Avi Rappoport — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 23:58:51 +0000

Your point about the vocabulary problem, which in your second-to-last entry you call: “discover tags, assigned by domain insiders, which differ from tags I had assigned as a domain outsider” is incredibly familiar to me. I see it all the time in enterprise and site search log analysis. I first learned about it back in the late 80s, from Marcia Bates of the UCLA Library School, who talked about user vocabulary vs. domain vocabulary, and the importance of creating thesauri to connect the two.

It’s so powerful that people can skip right over the answer to their question, if it’s not couched in familiar words. Marketing-speak, in particular, can be positively revolting. I’ve successfully reworded page titles and search suggestions to conform to user vocabulary, and seen significant increases in clicks in site search results. In another case, I convinced a site content creator to make a whole page oriented around a generic term that they didn’t use in their product line. As far as I can tell, people are finding it, reading it, and buying the product — a small chunk of purchases completely lost without that particular term.

Sorry to go on about it, but this is how it feels from the search admin side of things.