Since Microsoft announced multi-touch support in Windows 7 the other day, quite a few people have been posting online and mentioning to me offline that they think Microsoft should not be adding features like this to Windows, but should rather be focusing all of their attention on stability and performance within the OS.
While I agree that Microsoft needs to keep improving in these areas, I also think it would be a mistake for Microsoft to hold back. However…
That being said, as I’ve blogged before in some ways I also think these people are onto something. And maybe, just maybe the Windows team ought to hold back. Not because I want them to, but because rather it’s time to pass along the innovation baton to someone else. Here’s what I mean:
I suggest that the Windows team adopt the “No” mantra. Want multi-touch in Windows? Nope. You’re not going to get it. Want better webcam support? Uh uh. Want speech recognition that can work with children? Not in this lifetime. Want more synthesized voices, or music rendering support, or, or, or? Not listening. Can’t hear you.
Now, to be fair, there will be times when Windows needs to add this or that feature at a low level. When this time arrives, then the Windows team needs to be pulled in. But for most cases, the Windows developers can be kept away from people requesting this or that. They can stick with their No mantra.
One step to achieve this is to get rid of Windows developers. If you don’t have developers, you can’t do anything. So step one is cut back. And I mean way back. Maybe to 50 or fewer. Yes, possibly fewer. That’s all.
The focus for Windows proper will be to just do a good job with the Windows core. Nada else.
So with the Windows team a sliver of whatever it might be today, how will Windows stay competitive? Uhm, by moving everything to the next real Microsoft API: the .NET Framework in and out of the browser.
This is where all the rapid-fire innovation gets moved to. This group is all about getting things done and keeping up with current ideas.
Now, do I really want this to happen? Not really. But from what I’ve seen it might as well be the case.