View Full Version : Pieter Knook: Taking Microsoft to the world
Ed Hansberry
05-28-2002, 01:30 PM
<a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/72032_msftprofile27.shtml">http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/72032_msftprofile27.shtml</a><br /><br />Bob Anderson found this article in a Seattle newspaper about Pieter Knook, the VP that recently took over the Mobile Devices and Windows CE operating systems at Microsoft. A couple of interesting comments:<br /><br />• "What I get a kick out of is productively affecting someone's life," he says in his mild British accent. "If we do a good job, we make your life more productive, whether it's helping to write a press report or remembering someone's birthday."<br />• Microsoft "started off floundering a little bit" with its PocketPC-brand personal digital assistants, Knook says, because it advertised based on the fact that the devices were powered by Microsoft's operating system. "The reality is people don't care about the operating system. They care about what it can do for you," Knook said. "Once we focused on that, it was a breakthrough."<br /><br />He certainly seems to get it. <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif" />
Inaki C
05-28-2002, 02:01 PM
I think this guy is still somewhat Symbian biased. People do care about the operating system! The reason is that a PDA is not an isolated device but it is designed to be connected to the desktops and to integrate with the network. People would prefer to have the real Windows within these machines, so letting them believe there is some sort of Windows behind is reasuring for them.
One key factor for success on the Pocket PC has been that it is easy to develop applications for Windows CE because it is almost identical to the desktop environment. I program for Symbian too and, believe me, it is a nightmare to have to learn a completely new system and APIs.
I am expectant to see which new design goodies is this guy planning for the Pocket PC. Until now we know he likes to gives speeches.
marlof
05-28-2002, 02:03 PM
He certainly seems to get it.
What did you expect? He's Dutch.
Ed Hansberry
05-28-2002, 02:06 PM
One key factor for success on the Pocket PC has been that it is easy to develop applications for Windows CE because it is almost identical to the desktop environment. I program for Symbian too and, believe me, it is a nightmare to have to learn a completely new system and APIs.
Developers do care, as do geeks like us. But most people don't give a flip what the OS is. In fact, very few Pocket PC users really know what they run. Windows CE, CE 3.0, CE.NET, Pocket PC, Pocket PC 2002, etc. I'd be shocked if you asked 10 normal people what OS was on their Pocket PC if you'd get the right answer more than twice.
van_mierlo
05-28-2002, 02:51 PM
He certainly seems to get it.
What did you expect? He's Dutch.
Way to go Marlof :D
innersky
05-28-2002, 07:15 PM
"make your life more productive" ?
Duh 8O
Mark (NL)
05-29-2002, 04:54 AM
I think this guy is still somewhat Symbian biased.
And he has right to be, there are many times when active sync acts up on me that I think back to the well integrated Psion Series 5 "hard drives" just being in my desktop file explorer... If this guy only can change that little thing, and make the devices more productive and user friendly he has my blessing! And that has nothing to do with him being Dutch <g> For me he could be from Kazachstan or whatever, just GET IT RIGHT!
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