Editorials

During the days leading up to CES 2014 there has been a lot of talk about how much the show has changed. Although tagged with the Consumer Electronics Show label the show is becoming dominated by items that, while loosely related, are not electronics at all. I am talking about entire pavilions filled with phone cases, battery packs, lanyards etc. These items are accessories to the products we buy, but in reality they have no real place a show like CES. This has led some to long for the days of COMDEX (Computer Dealer’s Exhibition).

Steve Ballmer’s resignation was no shock to anyone that has been following Microsoft for the last few years. After far too many slips and mistakes the board and many investors felt it was time for Steve to go. Now the big talk is who will replace him underscored by a handful of rumors that Bill Gates might be the next guy be pushed out. If you look at each of these topics on their own you get a few interesting stories with some comedy thrown in for good measure. However, if you combine them you see a much more interesting picture being painted at Microsoft.

In a career that has spanned over 20 years in IT I have met a lot of people from different industries. Many of these people I have not kept in contact with and some I have. Occasionally when talking to some of them something will be said that might not hit home until a little later. This was the case with something that was said to be by an acquaintance who just happens to work as a technical manager at a security consulting company. During our talk I mentioned that it seemed like systems were getting much more insecure, and he joked saying: why would any security company want to work themselves out of business?

“Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. Spark is fine, as long as it's contained.” – President Snow, “The Hunger Games,” Lionsgate, 2012
 
If it weren’t for my early years with JT (Jack Tramiel) during the Atari era, I probably wouldn’t track video games – mobile, console or PC. But it’s amazing to see how much broader the industry is today.