Joho the Blog
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October 04, 2004
There are about 35 white folks here, half from the US and half from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and one from S. Africa. We're here to provide "feedback" to Microsoft's search development efforts. We are also obviously here to help us feel good about the efforts. Attendees include people I've already met in the real world: Buzz Bruggeman Overall, based on how people introduced theselves, here's the breakdown: 3 Search manipulators Plus there are a handful for MSN Product managers, PR people, and some Microsoft Research folks, The NDA We have all signed an NDA. A guy gets up to explain why and what it covers. What we may not talk about: Product specific details (including images, features, demos, etc.), release schedules or plans. What we may talk about: Purpose of event, basic event details, "what we talked about over cocktails" If we have any doubts about what can blog, we can "run it by" Sean, the marketing guy who's put the event together. If we fail to comply with the NDA we will be kicked out of the program and there could be "legal ramifications." The content Having gotten past the NDA awkwardness - Microsoft is entitled to offer to show us stuff they don't want us to talk about - we are now given a couple of hours of presentations that turn interactive faster than perhaps Microsoft expected. It is a lively discussion, let's say. Some cool features and widgets, but also evidence of Microsoft's unthought benevolent paternalism. And, without having to run this past Sean, I believe that's all I may say at this time. Oh, good lunch. Creamy Mac and cheese for the veggies. Posted
by D. Weinberger at October 4, 2004 04:13 PM
TrackBackListed below are links to weblogs that reference Microsoft Search Champs - morning:
» search champs meeting thoughts from mamamusings Tracked on October 4, 2004 06:34 PM
» THAT's where they were! from Marc's Voice Tracked on October 10, 2004 07:43 PM
» Does one woman equal 29 men? ;-) from UserDriven Tracked on October 11, 2004 01:16 AM
» Early Blog Reports From Microsoft's Search Champs from Search Engine Watch Blog Tracked on March 9, 2005 04:36 PM
» Early Blog Reports From Microsoft's Search Champs from Search Engine Watch Blog Tracked on April 4, 2005 02:08 PM |
Comments
Can you attach various meta-tags to images? Is the system XML based? Will it be available for PPC? Would you buy it? What's the wow factor?
Posted by: Bill Koslosky | October 4, 2004 04:22 PM
I am unable to answer at this time, even assuming I knew the answers. I'll try to say more about about overall impressions if I have any after I've heard more. But I have agreed not to talk about particular features or properties, and I'll honor that.
Posted by: David Weinberger | October 4, 2004 04:33 PM
Oh, hey, while your there*, could you grab and post the MSFT search engine source code too?**
*there = here: I just moved to Seattle.
** ;-) just in case
Posted by: Jay Fienberg | October 4, 2004 04:33 PM
David, I honor your commitment, but I'm still interested in finding out what I can, especially since reading your Wired piece.
Isn't the purpose of publicly announced meetings such as these to get a pulse on the interest?
Can we safely assume that it's not named after a person such as....er....Bob? I'd choose Diogenes as a code name.
Posted by: Bill Koslosky | October 4, 2004 05:54 PM
It's only semi-publicly announced; I think they realized that they couldn't pull bloggers in for a few days and not let us at least say where we are.
I think I can disclose that none of the products are named "Bob." They all do end in "oogle," though.
Posted by: David Weinberger | October 4, 2004 06:52 PM
Looking at your breakdown of invitees, I'm thunderstruck that there are no linguists.
Interesting stuff.
Posted by: kari | October 5, 2004 11:04 AM
David,
Last time I checked, I wasn't 'White'.
Posted by: Don Park | October 6, 2004 06:22 PM
Don, I stand (and sit) corrected.
Posted by: David Weinberger | October 6, 2004 10:38 PM
No problem David. My wife say I am temporarily 'white' and recommends more outside activities. ;-)
Posted by: Don Park | October 7, 2004 11:36 PM
David - thanks for the "storyteller" mention. I hope you're not still mad at me ;^)
BTW, my son was insanely jealous that I met you - he is a huge fan of "Small Pieces" - the kid version and evangelizes it to all of his middle-school geek bussies!
Posted by: Marc Orchant | October 12, 2004 04:43 PM
Marc, some things cannot be forgiven. Worst of all is when the person actually did nothing wrong.
As for the kid's version (at www.smallpieces.com/kids), please inform your son that he is in copyright violation. I will be coming after him. Hard.
But seriously: It was great to meet you. And be sure to pass my email address along to your son.
-- David W.
Posted by: David Weinberger | October 13, 2004 08:13 AM
can anyone share tips on microsoft optimization
Posted by: joe | October 23, 2004 02:58 PM