“The Vista marketing challenge saw an interesting new development today with the announcement that Microsoft has hired Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg as Enthusiast Evangelist. Gartenberg says in a blog post on his move that he will ‘find, engage and work with enthusiasts and other influencers and show them all the cool stuff that Microsoft is doing. In short, it’s our [department’s] job to act as the bridge between Microsoft and end users,'” Marshall Kirkpatrick reports for TechCrunch.
Kirkpatrick reports, “The experiment with Robert Scoble as Microsoft’s blogging point man must have worked well, as the company has now hired two very high profile commentators to carry out functions similar to what Scoble did. Bringing Jon Udell over from InfoWorld in December was the first of two notable coups.”
Kirkpatrick reports, “Gartenberg has served as the Jupiter Research vice president and research director for the Personal Technology & Access and Custom Research groups. He’s a highly respected analyst who was quoted extensively by press upon the release of Vista. ‘The challenge,’ Gartenberg said about Vista two weeks ago, ‘is that it’s the only product on the market that has to appeal to the CIOs of Fortune 500 companies and my mother all at the same time.’ Presumably Gartenberg’s mother is now more favorably inclined than she might have been before.”
Kirkpatrick wries, “It’s a perfect example of one of today’s leading questions: is the benefit of bringing a respected public figure onto the payroll greater than the potential loss of credibility that person risks?”
Full article here.
Leave it to Microsoft to copy Apple poorly once again. First you have to have products worth evangelizing before you hire evangelists, dummies. Why is everything Microsoft does assbackwards (besides to avoid legal actions)?
For his part, soul-seller Gartenberg explains:
Why Microsoft? There’s a revolution going on. A battle for the hearts and minds of consumers in terms of their digital lives. I firmly believe that Microsoft is the only company that will enable the seamless transition for users to move in and out of the different aspects of their lives. In short, no one else comes close to presenting a complete, unified and integrated view of the digital home of the 21st century.
Whether it’s work, school or home, Microsoft has the potential to change lives even more than they already have. Who else could deliver mission critical technology to the business world, create the best Smartphone operating system, build a successful platform for console games (and pioneer online and connected play) and take on the iPod. All at the same time.
Michael, are you sure you haven’t really been hired as a comedian?
Naturally, you might ask, “What sort of things did Gartenberg write before he sold his integrity?” Here’s an example from August 2003, which should be far enough back to make sure that Microsoft hadn’t yet come calling:
…Deploying Mac OS in areas that depend heavily on content creation makes good sense, but there are probably other places that could benefit as well. Most IT departments lament the lack of choice among desktop operating systems. The truth is that there are choices out there, and viable ones at that. IT departments that can overcome their traditional prejudices against Apple may well discover that there’s a new PowerBook or G5 in their future, and once they do, they may never go back to Windows.
And, just for grins, Gartenberg from Computerworld, May 2005 (a quote also currently featured on Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger “Reactions” page):
Want to see what the future of personal computing looks like? Don’t wait for Microsoft to show you; go out and get yourself a copy of Apple’s latest operating system release, OS X Tiger. It’s that good.
Related articles:
Microsoft’s Ballmer warns on Vista, says revenue forecasts too aggressive; shares drop – February 15, 2007
Microsoft’s Gates tries FUD to keep people from switching to Apple’s secure Mac – February 12, 2007
Bill Gates unhinged with Apple envy; Microsoft on path to become high profile casualty – February 06, 2007
Bill Gates has lost his mind: calls Apple liars, copiers; slams Mac OS X security vs. Windows – February 02, 2007
Bill Gates lists Microsoft ‘innovations’ that Apple has offered Mac users for years – January 30, 2007
Gates bristles over Vista, Mac OS X comparisons – January 29, 2007
Microsoft CEO Ballmer laughs at Apple iPhone – January 17, 2007
Bill Gates confronted by glowing Apple logos as every single blogger at meeting uses Macs – December 15, 2006
Ballmer: ‘Zune halo effect’ will help Windows Vista – December 06, 2006
Windows Vista’s DRM is bad news – February 14, 2007
Mac OS X Tiger vs. Windows Vista: Mac’s migration a breeze, Vista’s migration a headache – February 12, 2007
Forbes: ‘Windows Vista utterly unimaginative, internally discordant and woefully out of tune’ – February 09, 2007
Computerworld: Windows expert dumps Windows, switches to Apple’s Mac OS X – February 08, 2007
Windows sufferer spends six hours trying to ‘upgrade’ to Vista, says: ‘I should’ve bought a Mac’ – February 07, 2007
Windows Vista woes push BBC News editor to regret never having ‘defected’ to Apple Mac – February 06, 2007
Digit: Don’t buy Vista; Microsoft may be driving millions to stick with XP or move to Apple Mac – February 05, 2007
TIME Magazine: Microsoft’s Windows Vista ‘an embarassment to the good name of American innovation’ – February 02, 2007
Microsoft’s Windows Vista: Five years for a chrome-plated turd – January 30, 2007
Digit: ‘Microsoft’s Windows Vista may be the best reason yet to buy an Apple Mac’ – January 29, 2007
Pioneer Press: Windows Vista shows ‘Apple is an innovation engine; Microsoft, not so much’ – January 29, 2007
Windows Vista disappoints, so get a Mac – January 29, 2007
Analyst: Microsoft’s Windows Vista could be an opportunity for Apple – January 26, 2007
CNET Reviews Windows Vista: Is that all? Clunky and not very intuitive vs. Mac OS X; warmed-over XP – January 24, 2007
Mossberg: Microsoft’s Windows Vista offers lesser imitations of Apple’s Mac OS X features – January 18, 2007
Windows Vista disappointment drives longtime ‘Microsoft apologist’ to Apple’s Mac OS X – January 17, 2007
InformationWeek Review: Apple’s Mac OS X shines in comparison with Microsoft’s Windows Vista – January 06, 2007
NY Times’ Pogue reviews Microsoft’s Windows Vista: ‘Looks, Locks, Lacks’ – December 14, 2006
15-year Windows vet tries Apple Mac: ‘My God! This is amazing!’ – December 04, 2006
Dave Winer: ‘Microsoft isn’t an innovator, and never was – they are always playing catch-up’ – December 01, 2006
Harvard Medical School CIO picks Mac OS X over Linux and Windows – November 30, 2006
Top Windows developer dumps Microsoft’s ‘pile of crap’ for Apple’s Mac OS X – September 12, 2006
$399 for Windows Vista Ultimate?! (Hint: Get a Mac) – August 29, 2006
Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard is 64-bit done right, unlike Microsoft’s Windows Vista kludge – August 14, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista: If you can’t innovate… try to impersonate Apple’s Mac OS X – August 10, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard sets new bar, leaves Microsoft’s Vista in the dust – August 08, 2006
Microsoft botches another copy job: Windows Vista Flip3D vs. Apple Mac OS X Exposé – June 26, 2006
Windows Vista rips-off Mac OS X at great hardware cost (and Apple gains in the end) – June 13, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Now if only Apple would have some decent ads instead of those smug and embarrassing TV spots…
“….and show them all the cool stuff that Microsoft is doing”
GOOD LUCK, you will need it!
Poor Gartenberg, I hope he got a sh!tload of money out of this deal because his credibility will soon be at the level of Enderle and Thurrott. “Respected” and “trusted” will not be used in the same sentence as his name.
Why didn’t MS hire MDN’s own resident evangelist Zune Tang instead? We all know how persuasive Zune Tang is
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M$ is really concerned! They’re trying to convince people with smoke and mirrors and BS.
There’s nothing as persuasive in the world like sound, independent advice to get people to buy a product.
And now Gartenberg’s pocketing the Micro$oft $$$, he’ll be giving out nothing like sound, independent advice.
Good Luck – that’s a very long bridge and it’sa getting longer!
Guess he just needed the money more than he needed his ethics – sad!
Gartenberg says “Who else could deliver mission critical technology to the business world …” — do people actually talk like this?
Read this and tell me Gartenberg hasn’t sold out:
http://www.computerworld.com/softwaretopics/os/story/0,10801,101412,00.html
Finding Vista enthusiasts will be as hard as finding Zune squirtees.
Reaching for news, Come on MDN, who cares? They can hire Jesus Christ and it won’t
make Vista work any better.
Lets focus on Leopard, Enterprise software partners, iPhone applications and
new hardware configs.
Bill and Ballmer will continue to talk, so let them. All I care about is how Apple
will make my business life better. Each day, Apple is gaining new customers
lets focus on that. I welcome all new Mac users to explain why they like Apple better
and how it’s helped them become more productive, creative or happy.
Just a thought…
OK people,
Steves teams has allot loosers there, I know I was fired.
He needs to stop these Ads. Ask Any expert Advertising Exec.
Vista is a threat, Why PCs are used in business, they work well in many business’s as the IT staff working and making them run well for so long in fact this is credit to many IT staff they have in-credable systems of PC networks and manange to keep all the software running.
Windows does alot more simpler functions for business ie staff don;t have much fun so just continue to use the standard systems.
I am angry not with MS making system or software I just want a normal evolution of a product.
PS: IT managers will not get fired for using macs they will run easier and they can use that time to develope new Intergation for future.
PS: Hi USA,
Gartenberg says “Who else could deliver mission critical technology to the business world …”
Does he speak of Microsoft’s mission critical technology that was responsible for the loss of billions due to it’s unsecure and vulnerable OS?
I didn’t know you could buy a Bagdad Bob. I thought they were born. It’s too funny. I can see the bombs falling all around him and he’s telling the press in Bagdad that the Americans are nowhere near the capital and will never reach it because of the might of the Iraqi armies.
LOL!
@ Enuz Gnat:
Well, … Gartenberg really might be “Zune Tang”
What sort of thing did Gartenberg write before he sold his integrity, you ask?
No, I don’t ask. Before he was paid to be an impartial analyst. Now he is paid to promote Microsoft. Obviously the tenor and focus of his commentary will be different. This has nothing to do with his integrity or selling his soul, asshole.
It’s not like he’s shilling poison as a way to cure cancer/lose weight/increase your penis size and performance. And it’s not like he’s a propagandist for some fascist regime bent on world domination. He’s just some guy taking the opportunities that he has created for himself.
Better that you focus on his claims made and refuting them without impugning the man’s integrity. Nothing in the recent quote is contradicted by the August 2003 quote.
Give Gartenberg a chance to actually ruin his reputation before you pass such brash judgements. Working for MS doesn’t inherently do that.
Someone Else,
depending on his personality, he’ll either be laughing all the way to the bank or, like Judas, looking for the nearest tree.
What sort of thing did Gartenberg write before he
….yeah we know.
Its sad really, we want him with Apple. But he needs to pay his way its OK, All this is sad as the merits Of MS wil always way by there folly start.
Microsoft clearly dumped a truck load of money on this guy’s lap to get him to move over. Based on his past criticisms of Microsoft this is the only thing that makes sense. Microsoft hasn’t done ANYTHING exciting in the past decade to warrant a complete 180 by Gartenberg. Microsoft is the only company that can bridge the living room with the computer? Please, Media Center PCs are about as successful as tablet PCs. A niche product for a mediocre effort.
Dear effwerd,
your posts are always so abusive. Why?
Apart from that, you missed the point. He’s taking money for saying things he doesn’t believe. That shows a lack of integrity.
What I take from this story is that MS doesn’t know what the hell an evangelist is supposed to do. Apple’s evangelists work in *developer* relations. Their job is to promote the use of Apple’s technologies among third-party developers. They’re not cheerleaders like Scoble was, they don’t do PR, and they’re not product marketing.
MS is on their way down. Enjoy the spectacle.
-jcr
So, Microsoft must have been disappointed in their investement in Enderle, Thurrot and Dvorak.
Apple of course has as many evangelists as it has users – even more maybe.
Microsoft has perhaps one evangelist per 100,000,000 users – on a lucky day.
No wonder they need to buy some more in..
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I like my line:
the merits Of MS wil always way by there folly start.
Also
From: effwerd Yeah, We know what your saying he can work where he wants LOL
he may start giving MS bad reviews. Windows is so bad to use it really is its sick.
“the merits Of MS wil always way by there folly start.”
What does this mean?!
The merits of MS will always way by ther folly start,
They started a bit corrupt if you ask me, seems they took systems from a competitor and since built on this in dominance.
So all new systemn the do make tha are quite good sometimes do not get recognised, its funny really.
The stole of Apples susytems when they started and made windows 3.1
Anthony Online,
Is English a second language for you? If not, you need to go back to high school and pay attention in class. If it is, you need to study it longer. Your posts make no sense, even ignoring the spelling errors.
Anthony Online,
Are your post’s done with the dashboard Translator?
oh, dam really OK. None?? which bits?
hate typing, Bored. and I am using a PC.
Its just really clever english.
Now effword, if what you said were true, then personal integrity is simply a non-factor in anything that people do. Whatever you get paid to do justifies what you say! So then the question arises, are you paid to troll here on MDN? I’m not paid to post here, but then my employer isn’t the source of my ethics.
Your mean Poo librium, England Sux.
Read this: kj2h3k 232jk 2kj3k2 kk23kk
HEX Hhahhahh
England?
I wasn’t trying to be mean, your post just resembled poorly translated english.
Our weapons are psychological, economic, and political—not military. No one is forced to adopt our standards at the barrel of a gun. We can only convince, not compel. Those who adopt our standards do so as a rational decision to serve their own ends, whatever those may be It is our job to ensure that those choosing an operating system are presented with an overwhelming abundance of evidence and reasoned argument in favor of our standards—so overwhelming that the choice of our standards seems obvious, or (ideally) that the developer is not even aware that a decision was faced, and a choice made.
We do this by understanding the barriers that might otherwise prevent the developer from adopting our standards, and removing them; by understanding the inducements that might facilitate the developer’s adoption of our standards, and providing them; by understanding the arguments of our competition, and countering them.
Effective Evangelism [a Microsoft document]
Welcome to the dark side, Mr. Gartenberg. As part of your acclimatization program, we’d like you to first watch the movie: “Thank You for Smoking.”
Steve,
If you’d like to hire me to come work for Apple and do the same thing for you, I’ll do it. And I’ll be WAY better at it that Gardenburger.
Call me.
-c
Apparently Vista is selling poorly in the “upgrade” channels, only those that have to buy a PC and have no choice but to run Vista are the sales going to. In order to Evangelize to the “enthusiasts” you have to have enthusiastic users. Look at the bright side Ballmer Microsoft has 100% of the crappy, unsecure OS market!
As the old saying goes, “Money talks and bullsh*t walks.”
MDN word “attack”.
You can’t make this stuff up.
If anyone can generate pent up demand, Michael Gartenberg can.
The first thing we have to do is brighten the decor here in Redmond. I brought some colorful lithographs that define the Microsoft mission statement.
The Monster.com ad for this position must have read something like…
Wanted: Illusionist with the ability to perform mass delusions over the general public.
Must be able to show enthusiasm where no excietment actually exists, turn dog poo into cupcakes.
The ability to dance and hurl office furniture a plus.
No different than the current administration hiring FOX News’ Tony Snow. Put a face in front of your audience that they know and trust. Pay no attention to the actual product behind the curtain…
Also, regarding Gartenberg’s quirky quote:
‘The challenge is that it’s [Vista] the only product on the market that has to appeal to the CIOs of Fortune 500 companies and my mother all at the same time.’
If CIOs really looked at it, and Mothers were actually introduced to it rather than getting stuck with their children’s PC castoffs (and dealing with all the fun that goes along with that), they would realize that Mac OS X ‘is the only product on the market that WOULD appeal to both CIOs of Fortune 500 companies and [his] mother all at the same time.’
The former Iraqi Information Minister has been hired to work alongside Gartenberg to blow balloons.
His contract stipulates that he only works three days a week, which compensates for his wild mood swings from elation to abject despondency. Poor guy must have needed the money to pay for his Lithium injections!
…no one else comes close to presenting a complete, unified and integrated view of the digital home of the 21st century.
If he actually believes this load of crap, he really should have himself committed! Great strategy… All a slipshod company like Microsoft has to do nowadays is claim for themselves all the benefits of their competitor’s products and consumers are so stupid that they simply believe it. Incredible! Why didn’t Apple think of that? It’s so much cheaper than developing your own innovative new products. You don’t even have to copy the competition. All you need is advertising!
This is very telling.
Isn’t it strange that a company that has had 90 something % of the market is in “A battle for the hearts and minds of consumers in terms of their digital lives.”
Microsoft has squandered their power and influence and has been happy just to make buttloads of money.
So all of a sudden there is a “revolution” What a stupid thing to say. Who would Microsoft be revolting against? That would be themselves wouldn’t it? According to them, they are the big power that’s in charge and controls everything.
So they start to see all these opportunities, they have had for years, slipping away so they decide now to make an effort. Not with a new great product, but the same old BS promises. Screw em!
Thank you MDN! Gartenberg is pure comedy gold. That’s some of the funniest s*** I’ve read this week!
Mike’s recent hiring is probably intended to shore up morale at Microsoft rather than generate real consumer demand. Gates and Ballmer just don’t have the knack for speaking bullshit and sounding minimally credible to the staff. I wonder what color pom-pons he will bring?
This brings me to recent news. Many believe that Ballmer is a complete idiot. I disagree. As Ballmer said previously, “I’m really excited about how enthusiastic (Bill Gates and I) are about Vista, but I think some of the revenue forecasts for Vista in 2008 are overly aggressive.” See, he is acutely perceptive and brutally honest. Admirable fellow, that Ballmer, although a bit understated.
Microsoft is circling the wagons, calling for reinforcements, running for cover, crying for mommy.
I’m sure that Gartenberg was smart enough to get paid first.
I wondered why his blog hadn’t been updated for a while.
It’s a shame because he spoke a alot of sense, even when it was something you didn’t particularly want to hear. Now it’s highly unlikely any of his reality checks for MS and other Apple competitors, or Apple, will make it outside the walls of Redmond.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-what I posted to the shill-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Welcome to the Sociopath!
Diagnostic criteria defines antisocial personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:
1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
Can you say “Convicted Predatory Monopolist”? I knew that you could.
2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
Oh dear, so much to write…a few to chew on:
Anti-Linux]http://www.catb.org/~esr/halloween/”]Anti-Linux campaign[/url]
Microsoft funded ‘grass roots’ campaign
Falsified DOJ evidence:
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
Why does Microsoft jump (haphazardly and poorly ) into every new trend/market?
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
]http://weblog.infoworld.com/openresource/archives/2007/02/bill_gates_we_w.html”] Trash talking Gates [/url]
Chair throwing Ballmer
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others
“Trustworthy Computing”???? PUHLEASE!!!! I learned early in life to run like hell from anybody that said “Trust me”!
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
All MS is doing now is desperately trying to maintain it’s ill-gained monopoly.
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
You have your work cut out for you.
Best of luck to you, it’s not easy being a shill.
I agree M$ will change lives… but it’ll be for the worse.
He’s taking money for saying things he doesn’t believe. That shows a lack of integrity.
How do you know that? I bet you’re guessing.
Now effword, if what you said were true, then personal integrity is simply a non-factor in anything that people do. Whatever you get paid to do justifies what you say! So then the question arises, are you paid to troll here on MDN? I’m not paid to post here, but then my employer isn’t the source of my ethics.
Evidently you suck at reading comprehension. Getting paid doesn’t *justify* what you say and you’re a fool to think anyone would assert such. I said the tenor and focus of his commentary changes by who is paying him. He doesn’t sell out the instant he is hired by MS, he has to betray himself first. Most of you little shits are just assuming he has betrayed himself just by working for MS. I’m polite enough to wait until he actually does something to show he has betrayed himself.
And I didn’t assert that your employer is your source of ethics, nitwit. Try sounding out the words next time.
“There’s a revolution going on.”
I agree and it’s Microsoft that’s so “REVOLTING”! (as in disgusting)
I posted his own comment on his blog. Hee hee. I love .Mac aliases. Sorry Gill Bates.
http://gartenblog.net/2007/02/15/from-analyst-to-evangelist-lets-get-it-started/#comment-79
librium
It sounded like your where being mean. Also you could put it a little less retorical.
I am glad you said you where not trying to be.
PS:I saw james Bond last night, arrrh. mmmm 5.5/10
MS is Grap Vista I poos.
Whoever brought this back up is awesome.
Backpedal backpedal backpedal.
Should be interesting.