xbox 360

When Microsoft launched XBox Live three years ago, I remember seeing the campus flagpoles were adorned with black flags with the green ‘X’. And when I went to lunch, and crossed the man-made creek running through Redwest, I was completely appalled at the colour of the creek. Some genius had went and infested the water with a sickly fluorescent green dye. It looked like something out of Ghostbusters. You couldn’t tell if radioactive algae had sprung up overnight and infected the water supply. I was quite pleased when the water turned clear again a couple days later (I actually prefer not to know that I’m getting poisoned).

Anyhow, XBox 360 makes its debut tonight, and some genius went back and coloured the creek the same dang colour. (I would take a picture to post, but that might get me fired.) It’s no wonder there’s nothing living in that creek.

Thinking about 4:1

The ratio of annual revenue of the global advertising business to the global software business is 4:1.

Always Thinking: Who’s the real Force on the Web…?

I had no idea this Space existed until Danny mentioned something about a "seed" during the dev meeting today. I actually had no idea what he was talking about even though (I think) he was talking to me. Smile and nod. Smile and nod.

Afterwards, I had to go to Search for it, and had to go to somebody else‘s blog before I found the link. I think Search still has room for improvement (although it looks like a popular search engine couldn’t find it either.. but it did find this–very cool.)

Anyhow, even though the site seems to be very much a recruiting ploy, and not many people seem to read it (judging from the number of comments–although I shouldn’t talk), there are some interesting posts in there. Have a look.

Windows Live

[As usual, I come out with entries days later than everyone else.]

Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Strategies

There’s a plethora of blog/opinions/explanations of Windows Live on the web. Just go MSN Windows Live Search it. I don’t need to spend time explaining why I think this is A Good Thing (although it could definitely be less confusing).

I’m curious what Google and Yahoo! think about this. Are they worried? Do they think it’s brilliant? Or do they view this as just a marketing ploy / last-ditch effort by MS to stay competitive? (I think it would be a little of both–and I would most definitely be a little worried.)

On Live.com you can add Search queries to pin to your page. There’s only one reason I could see people using this for–to search for their own name and see if their site has gone up/down in the rankings.

I love Live.com/Start.com. I love Windows Live Mail Beta (aka Kahuna). [I don’t (yet) love the Windows Live Messenger Beta, but that might change closer to release. Overdo has a bunch of screenshots/info if you’re curious.]

I need to head over to the Company Store to stock up on the plush butterflies.

Who noticed that Live spelt backwards is eviL?? Ingenious!