At the Search Champs private conference I’m at, Microsoft has been giving out excellent swag: A copy of Money, Office and Flight Simulator, a logo-ed windbreaker, sun visor and golf shirt, and a thumb storage device….all packed in a logoed-backpack. I’m too mature and self-knowing for swag to affect me, but I’m beginning to think that Microsoft has been badly misunderstood and under-appreciated. Plus, today we get to go to the Microsoft Store where we can spend up to $120 on heavily discounted Microsoft products. Unfortunately, I’m leaving before the trip to the store, so I assume I’m allowed to download $120’s worth of copyright-challenged Microsoft products via BitTorrent at Suprnova.org or the P2P network of my choice. That’s right, isn’t it?

Microsoft took us out to a lovely dinner last night. I sat with three Microsofties and, as always, was impressed with how crazy smart they are across such a wide range of interests. We talked frankly about the day, but also about Aristotle and the birth of persistent taxonomies, whether math escapes science’s revolutionary paradigm, whether art anticipates science, and why I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about when I mouth off about Wolfram. I had a great time and learned a whole bunch.

Sorry, I’d like to be snarky, but I’m just telling you the truth.

Today we have continuous access to the Net during the sessions. Thank you.

Categories: Uncategorized dw