Comments on: A Visit to Microsoft http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft Dream It. Map It. Share It. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:28:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5 by: Owen Watkins http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6638 Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:10:07 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6638 I am saddened by the continuing infatuation MindJet has with Microsoft. MindManager has been a great tool for years, and has the potential to develop further. However, implementing features, or changing existing ones, which only work with Microsoft products or depend on Microsoft technology could be tantamount to throwing the baby out with the bath water. Cosying up to Microsoft and using its proprietary technology is not necessary to move the product forward. The company surely recognises this as it has already uses open standards with its data format. Two illustrative sins to date are launching the "Mindjet MindManager Viewer" which only works with Internet Explorer (an enormous sin) and using the IE logo as the default icon for an internet hyperlink (minor, but highly irritating). I am saddened by the continuing infatuation MindJet has with Microsoft. MindManager has been a great tool for years, and has the potential to develop further. However, implementing features, or changing existing ones, which only work with Microsoft products or depend on Microsoft technology could be tantamount to throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Cosying up to Microsoft and using its proprietary technology is not necessary to move the product forward. The company surely recognises this as it has already uses open standards with its data format.

Two illustrative sins to date are launching the “Mindjet MindManager Viewer” which only works with Internet Explorer (an enormous sin) and using the IE logo as the default icon for an internet hyperlink (minor, but highly irritating).

]]> by: Michael Scherotter http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6648 Tue, 11 Jul 2006 13:05:32 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6648 Owen, Thank you so much for your feedback. We continue to grow our Microsoft partnership because of the importance of the platform and applications to our product and customer base (both current and future). But that is not our only strategy, as exhibited by our Mac product. If you can suggest a free non-proprietary technology for workflow management and inking, I would love to see it because we should be exploring those option as well as technologies such as Windows Workflow Foundation and Microsoft's Tablet PC. I agree with you 100% about the Internet Explorer, and I see technologies like Autodesk's Freewheel (http://www.dwfit.com/) as better avenues for viewing maps than our current ActiveX control. What technology directions would you suggest that Mindjet pursue? Michael Owen,
Thank you so much for your feedback. We continue to grow our Microsoft partnership because of the importance of the platform and applications to our product and customer base (both current and future). But that is not our only strategy, as exhibited by our Mac product. If you can suggest a free non-proprietary technology for workflow management and inking, I would love to see it because we should be exploring those option as well as technologies such as Windows Workflow Foundation and Microsoft’s Tablet PC. I agree with you 100% about the Internet Explorer, and I see technologies like Autodesk’s Freewheel (http://www.dwfit.com/) as better avenues for viewing maps than our current ActiveX control.
What technology directions would you suggest that Mindjet pursue?

Michael

]]> by: Roger Cavanagh http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6650 Tue, 11 Jul 2006 13:35:27 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6650 I cannot find myself having much sympathy for Owen's point of view: Microsoft as the devil incarnate. Ensuring that MindManager interacts effectively with the leading office productivity package is an entirely sensible and understandable commercial decision. And if you're going to produce a free plug-in, why wouldn't you choose the browser that the majority of people still use? An "enormous sin"? Give me a break. In closing, let's remember that Mindjet have only recently produced a Mac version. I cannot find myself having much sympathy for Owen’s point of view: Microsoft as the devil incarnate. Ensuring that MindManager interacts effectively with the leading office productivity package is an entirely sensible and understandable commercial decision.

And if you’re going to produce a free plug-in, why wouldn’t you choose the browser that the majority of people still use? An “enormous sin”? Give me a break.

In closing, let’s remember that Mindjet have only recently produced a Mac version.

]]> by: Owen Watkins http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6687 Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:25:22 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6687 Microsoft as devil incarnate: I don't play that game. Microsoft as a company that seeks to enforce its own will on the marketplace, stifling competition & restricting innovation and pays lip service to security issues: you can decide for yourself. I know that MindJet's position is governed by hard commercial reality. Mine is driven by emotion as I have grown to love the product through successful use over a number of years, both at home and at work. There seems to be some great thinking going on at MindJet, some of which will in time evolve into product enhancements, new products or whatever. Delivery can be tied in to proprietary technology or achieved through open standards. If I was a software developer and publisher I would strive to use open standards and inter-operability on principle. This would provide my users choice and maximise the potential of my product. Michael's comments are reassuring. If I was in a position to suggest any alternative technologies I would have been in touch long before now :-(. Microsoft as devil incarnate: I don’t play that game. Microsoft as a company that seeks to enforce its own will on the marketplace, stifling competition & restricting innovation and pays lip service to security issues: you can decide for yourself. I know that MindJet’s position is governed by hard commercial reality. Mine is driven by emotion as I have grown to love the product through successful use over a number of years, both at home and at work.

There seems to be some great thinking going on at MindJet, some of which will in time evolve into product enhancements, new products or whatever. Delivery can be tied in to proprietary technology or achieved through open standards. If I was a software developer and publisher I would strive to use open standards and inter-operability on principle. This would provide my users choice and maximise the potential of my product. Michael’s comments are reassuring. If I was in a position to suggest any alternative technologies I would have been in touch long before now :-( .

]]> by: Walter Logeman http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6839 Fri, 14 Jul 2006 03:33:34 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6839 Do whatever your need to do with Microsoft but please ALS0 support Firefox Thunderbird and other standards Such as ODT files. Do whatever your need to do with Microsoft but please ALS0 support Firefox Thunderbird and other standards Such as ODT files.

]]> by: Paul Andrew http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6901 Fri, 14 Jul 2006 19:10:53 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6901 <strong>Mindjet Mindmanager meets Windows Workflow Foundation</strong> A few guys on my team met with Mindjet on the Microsoft campus recently and Michael Scherotter from&nbsp;Mindjet... Mindjet Mindmanager meets Windows Workflow Foundation

A few guys on my team met with Mindjet on the Microsoft campus recently and Michael Scherotter from Mindjet…

]]> by: Mindjet Mindmanager meets Windows Workflow Foundation » Wagalulu - Microsoft » » Mindjet Mindmanager meets Windows Workflow Foundation http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6902 Fri, 14 Jul 2006 19:38:16 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6902 [...] indjet on the Microsoft campus recently and Michael Scherotter from&nbsp;Mindjet published his trip report. It&#8217;s an interesting read for&nbsp;a couple of&nbsp;re [...] […] indjet on the Microsoft campus recently and Michael Scherotter from Mindjet published his trip report. It’s an interesting read for a couple of re […]

]]> by: WF Team Bloggers http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6903 Fri, 14 Jul 2006 19:50:09 +0000 http://blog.mindjet.com/2006/07/a-visit-to-microsoft#comment-6903 <strong>Mindjet Mindmanager meets Windows Workflow Foundation</strong> A few guys on my team met with Mindjet on the Microsoft campus recently and Michael Scherotter fromMindjet Mindjet Mindmanager meets Windows Workflow Foundation

A few guys on my team met with Mindjet on the Microsoft campus recently and Michael Scherotter fromMindjet

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