Software is Hard & Microsoft's Long, Slow Decline

As I impatiently wait for the FedEx guy to deliver my new computer, I've been reading some articles that you probably won't care about at all, but I don't want to lose them, so they're going here for safe-keeping.

First, this article that hits on the topic of software design complexity - in an entirely entertaining and descriptive fashion - titled, Software is Hard. It's got some good quotables in it and ends by saying:

Software construction is the most complex endeavor ever undertaken by mankind. It makes building things like cathedrals and space shuttles look like child's play, and it strains our little monkey brains to the utmost.

Secondly - and a new personal favorite - Microsoft's Long, Slow Decline, which looks at Microsoft's present-day mind-set when it comes to dealing with competition. Not a pretty picture and fabulously entertaining at the same time. Good quote:

Microsoft is no longer ignoring Apple’s market share gains and successful “Get a Mac” ad campaign. But the crux of these ads from Apple is that Macs are better; Microsoft’s response is a message that everyone already knows — that Windows PCs are cheaper. Their marketing and retail executives publicly espouse the opinion that, now that everyone sees Apple computers as cool, Microsoft has Apple right where they want them.

And I can't resist throwing in a good bash.org quote I found today ... here.