Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 304 pages
- Published by: Wiley May 5, 2008
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0470191384
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0470191385
-
Book Dimensions:
9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
- Weighs: 1.1 pounds
Product Review
"a fascinating insight into the organisationThe book has undoubtedly been thoroughly researched and provides a valuable reference." British Computing Society August 2008 "this reality check from veteran
Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley [is] both welcome and timely."Information Age July 2008
"The award-winning journalist author has access to inside information and what she has to reveal will bring awesome media attention".(
The Bookseller, Friday 14th March 2008)
"The award-winning journalist author has access to inside information and what she has to reveal will bring awesome media attention".(
The Bookseller, Friday 14th March 2008)
"If you need a Christmas gift for an insomniac geek, look no further." (ComputerWeekly.com, September 30, 2008)
Product Description
Does Bill Gatess retirement consign
Microsoft to the corporate retirement home as well? Mary Jo Foley doesnt think so. Her 25 years of
Microsoft-watching provides a unique vantage point from which to speculate on how
Microsoft might write its next chapter. Identifying signposts and interpreting clues she knows well, Foley offers a thought-provoking view of the
software giants post-Gates future. Dont be surprised to be surprised.
Reader ReviewsMary Jo Foley has made a valuable contribution to investors and stock analysts. This books makes it easier to understand Microsoft's background, which kinds of business models does Microsoft employ to make money, and the future evolution of these models. This book is helpful if you are going to estimate future cash flows and calculate the intrinsic value of the company. Whichever tools do you have to your disposition as an analyst, this one is a worthy addition. The author has done great job summarizing miscellaneous (and sporadic) sources of information like various speeches, blogs, and articles. She has also used Microsoft's SEC filings like annual and quarterly reports. First, she introduces the reader to terms used by Microsoft, e.g. what is "eXperience", "S+S", "Office Live" and so on. Rather than copying vague definitions from the website, she really makes the reader to understand what lies behind these terms in a neutral manner. Then, she focuses on key people of Microsoft, near-term products of Microsoft, and then devotes the most of the book to the business models. She is not a Microsoft insider and didn't have support from Microsoft key people while writing this book, thus she uses neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic voice: she is quite neutral. The fact that she is not an insider is also good because she doesn't have to do any promises that she have to keep. There is a useful "annotated reading list", which list blogs which you might want to read to keep in touch with Microsoft. This section also lists some books, but they are quite old and are interesting only in historical perspective. The only disadvantage of this book is that is somewhat small: more analyses and figures would have been useful for better understanding of the business models of Microsoft.
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