Ballmer: Computer Scientists Needed to Use Android

You just suck at using phones Ballmer. You're a MS CEO, so you're going to be bias when comparing Windows phones to Android phones.

"But he [Ballmer] also said that Windows Phone devices are better because they put the user's need right on the device's front page."

Last time I checked, my android phone has all kinds of widgets and icons to put anywhere I want. And how does he think he knows what my needs are anyway?

Steve Jobbs did, why not Stevie B?

Why even use "he" if your going to address Ballmer personally anyway? You would have saved 5 spaces just addressing him in the first place

No! First off, if you can't pick up an Android phone, and within a few days become a general master at it, then you're just dumb.


Yes, you're dumb. You should realistically be able to pick up almost any device, and with enough time to test and play around, be able to get the general gist of it. This is called: Intelligence: The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.

Use what skills you know about computers and applications, and now apply them towards a smaller, handheld device that runs on the same concept and principle. If you can't figure this out, then sorry, you need to be left behind.


I also like how the older generation mumbles stupid ass comments like "Oh, you were born into this sorta stuff, so that's why it's so easy for you". Um, no dumbass, I wasn't born with a smartphone and computer in my hand, I was born a young, curious child that didn't WILLFULLY BLOCK OUT TECHNOLOGY, but instead embraced it with an eager mind. Now that it's important, I just so happen to be inclined with all of it, while you decided you didn't need it, nor wanted a part in it. As an adult, with a full capacity brain and education, YOU actually had the edge and advantage when it comes to technology. Ideally, you, as the adult, should be MUCH better with technology than the younger generation. Why? Because if you just paid attention, you would've started when everything first came around, and from there on out, follow all the transitions and upgrades to technology.


But nope, you blocked it out, and now need a crash course. Oh well.

I like these stories on Ballmer just because I get to see his many goofy photos .

Hey Tom's can you create an article specifically focusing on Ballmer photos?

BTW I am a Windows OS fan, but I think Ballmer is a wacky guy for the CEO of Microsoft.

Isn't it kinda ironic how Windows used to be the most user-unfriendly platform back in the 90's? Then with Xbox 360 it seems they started going the Apple route.

I really like my WP7, but I only got it because I got a new phone off contract for $100.

Android is awesome. It's not hard to use. Okay, it may not be quite as intuitive as a Windows phone (or iOS for that matter, but it is far more versatile and fun to use IMO.

ICS is the SHIT.

BTW, I'm glad that the newest android version can be shortened into an acronym. I was sick of talking about desserts.

I tried to help a friend with a modern windows phone, really difficult to get to grips with imho, put me off there and then, I wanted a nice big settings button i could have a look around inside of.

MS under Ballmer has become an embarrassment.

Someone give this bozo the boot now, for the sake of Windows, for the sake of Microsoft, and for the sake of the evolving web.

This exactly. I'm sick of repeating this to everyone. And Ballmer is stupid. Android is simple. The whole fuss about one OS or another being "more user-friendly" is bull$h!t, every OS on the market today is simple to use (excluding various Linux distros which keep adding more and more bloatware with every update; I'm talking real consumer OSs).

According to Ballmer the world must be over run with computer scientists. How many Android handsets are activated every day? Computer scientists are a pretty smart bunch. They need to be in order use Android right? Did Ballmer just make an inadvertent remark about the intelligence of WP7 users?

Well, there is a nice big settings button. You can pin it to your home screen if u want.

Oh, so that's what it takes to be a computer scientist at Microsoft? No wonder they make such great software.

The big recurring theme at MS is to get you doing things their way. Comparing Android to WP7 is like comparing PHP to ASP.NET. PHP is simple, efficient, and allows you to echo out raw HTML that allows you to easily interact with the database backend of your choice. ASP.NET takes away everything, adds their own non-standard controls, and tries to force you into writing C# that creates non-HTML webforms and controls which then somehow get re-assembled into not-quite-standards-compliant HTML.

Since their software runs on 98% of the world's computers I'd say they do make pretty good software....what a moron.

Ballmer will always get the last laugh because every time you buy an Android device $15 goes in Microsoft's coffers...LOL

Since we are talking about phone software, I fail to see your point.

Thanks Ballmer, now I can point fingers to people using WP xD!

"Hey, u're using a dork's phone! Ballmer says so, and he makes that stuff" lol

Cheers!

There's an app call "Background Noise" in Windows Marketplace. I wonder if Ballmer wrote that app, because it sounded like him. Just a bunch of background "Noise".

Although I do agree with your first three paragraphs you should not be so critical about old people not adopting technology like you did. When you spend 50-60 years living a certain way that remains mostly unchanged, and then be hit by this brick wall of ever changing computational technology you probably never heard about before, it is not easy. When you are born in a world that has already largely adopted this technology, you grow accustomed to it from the very beginning, and don't have to change yourself or your habits to adapt to it. You don't have a past living life in a different way. Not only that, but you are young and that helps you learn things faster.

Actually I agree with Balmer. I have an in depth knowledge of Android, iOS as well as Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu and all the Linux/Unix underpinnings. But most people I know have fairly basic usage needs. Even those with an iPhone have trouble with finding/using some of the options/settings that would truly help them. But, because it's all still reletively straight forward i can give fairly general 1 sentence instructions to get them where they need to be. On the other hand, with android it's necessary for me to walk them through it step by step.

Yep, this is that BS I'm talking about right here! Intelligence works no matter how old you are. What's complicated about using Windows 7 or Android? Everything is labeled. There're tooltips. Every button does what it says.

All the adults I know are "scared" of computers. They're afraid of doing something "wrong". Those who let go of their fear and try things out are usually very surprised with how easy things are. Assembling a computer from parts? It's like playing LEGOs. Using an operating system? You DO know how to use a phone directory or read a book, right? Means you can use Windows or Android.

People who are not good with technology are usually not good with logic in general, and that's not because they're "different". It's only because they're stubborn, scared and/or didn't receive proper education. Funny thing is, all of that is easy to correct if you try - but they don't.

Ballmer should seriously consider an acting career. Maybe a comedy TV show where Ballmer commits a crime, and as a punishment, he's forced to use an Android phone for the next 10 years...

But it didn't. They didn't just close their eyes one day to suddenly find microwaves, smart phones, computers and flying cars. None of these things came out of no where - they slowly became adopted and progressively changed and added features here and there throughout the YEARS (yes, years - many of them as a matter of fact).

Computers, cellphones and almost ALL technology started somewhere, from a very basic principle. The problem is the older generation blocked it all out - they saw it as useless gadgets they had no use for. So of course two decades later when these things start becoming important, they're WAY behind the times. If they would've just stuck with the technology when it was first launched, and continued to keep up with the times, none of this would be the shock that it currently is for them now.


Like I said, they're getting a crash course in technology, because they willfully blocked it out for the past 2-3 decades. Not my fault that they're ignorant.


Will I ever block out technology like them? Hell no. I'll be a 90 year old grandpa with the latest and greatest - because technology fascinates me. It fascinates everyone too, so don't even say that it's just me and my personal opinion. If it wasn't for technology, we'd still be living in the stone age, using sharpened sticks to hunt and kill each other.


So yeah, they're a bunch of ignorant slackers. The only one to blame is themselves - none of this "Damn kids and their gadgets and technology" crap. Technology has been happening and rolling since day 1 of the cavemen days. It'll never stop, and there's no reason for the person to ever stop learning - but that's what they did. They decided to STOP LEARNING.


Oh well, leave them behind. Either get the initiative to learn, or GTFO. That's why I am fond of people from India - even the old timers are motivated and compelled to learn as much as they can, and keep up with the times.

Since Microsoft clearly doesn't have a clue about what they're doing with phones, they should just get the hell out of that business right now. And this comes from a Windows fanboy. (I also dislike the new metro UI in Windows 8 - what was wrong with Windows 7's UI?) If I had a smartphone, it would be an Android phone. (now if only data plans weren't required...)

Since Microsoft doesn't have a clue what they're doing with WP7, they should just get the hell out of there! And the new Windows 8 metro UI? Bleh. Stick with regular desktop stuff Microsoft. And FIRE BALLMER!

Sure, my grandmother couldn't use an Android phone. But nor could she use wp7. Or a PC in general.

Sneaky one Steve, but you probably haven't managed to convince anyone that a WP7 is anything like an iPhone.

Also, if you are going to say something completely unfounded at least make it sound like it could be true. Ragging on Android cause it has Icons? You mean like App(le) Icons?

Personally I have enjoyed what I have seen on WP7. I still have not committed to any smart phone because of the sheer cost of the plans, and the fact that they cannot really do what I want them to yet (replace my netbook). When there is a phone that can replace my netbook at an affordable price I will be 100% on board.
Also, while the WP7 UI is all fine and dandy, the reason they do not sell is because they are expensive and lack features that other phones have. Most of them look like crap, have no storage space, and have bare-minimum hardware to run the OS. you do not see that with all of the high performance HTC and Droid phones running Android. They have created a market that is exciting, that is why they sell. Then you have the snobs with the iPhones (though the 4s looks really tempting! I love the Siri interface!), who will upgrade with every release because they are 'supposed' to. WP7 is neither exciting, nor productive, nor groundbreaking, it is just a basic simple clean phone aimed at business users and media buffs but not quite mature enough to be amazing at either. It is very good at being simple and basic and clean, but until they improve the productivity aspect, and have developers put it out on better hardware, then it will simply and quietly take the place of the Zune; A great product with lots of potential, little innovation, and no recognition.

Also, about those who have been left behind in the technology department;
I work at a place where there are a lot of first time computer buyers. Many of them think the monitor is the computer, and are confused as to why they have to plug the 'computer' into some box on the floor. However, many of them catch on as to how to use the thing in a matter of days. It is merely a lack of exposure, mixed with a little fear. These are people who went to HS, got a job, climbed the corporate ladder doing pretty much the same thing for 30+ years, and now that they are retiring they want to try something new and see what all the fuss is about. I have seen some really funny 'first encounter' experiences, and constantly hear some interesting self diagnostic questions ('MS word is blocking my internet' is the favorite so far lol). But considering they are coming into the game 25 years late it only takes them a few days to get their e-mail, FB, and farmville farms running smoothly. The trick is getting them to be open to it, and then holding their hand at first. After a little exposure they will take off. Sure, they will never figure out a scroll wheel, but they can spam e-mail chain letters like a pro!