“On a day when two of Microsoft (MSFT) ‘s most important
initiatives had setbacks, one of the company’s most noteworthy
executives of the decade finally called it quits. Brad
Silverberg, responsible for bringing the wildly successful Windows
3.1, Windows 95, and Internet Explorer products to the consumer
market, is leaving the company Friday.
The news of Silverberg’s departure coincides with Microsoft’s
admission that the massive Windows 2000 operating system, perhaps
the most ambitious software development project in history, will
not reach most customers until February.”
“Also, Microsoft signed a deal with e-mail outsourcer CommTouch
to provide Web-based e-mail to Microsoft’s MSN portal customers.
…it’s also evidence that Microsoft’s in-house e-mail technologies
aren’t gelling with its Web services strategy.”
“The company’s recent shift to make Web services a primary
development concern partially vindicates the arguments Silverberg
made before taking his leave of absence.”