Reader Comments

Nickname: BG

Review: I see this all from a non gamer, "insider" point of view as a former companion of one of J Allard's loyal colleagues. The guy commands respect and admiration; from a people-management perspective, this will ensure his success in whatever he attempts to do, wherever he goes. I personally, for example, still use his credo:"crawl...walk...run..." in my life to this day (and I have never met J Allard). You cannot underestimate the personal power and charisma of an individual to make a difference in whatever world they inhabit...whether that be education, gaming, or politics. Keep an eye on J Allard and company: they will be worth watching in the years to come but for their passion and vision alone.

Date reviewed: Apr 17, 2008 3:34 PM

Nickname: applefan

Review: It is interesting that years after the article was written, J has proven most of us wrong. The xbox is now turning a profit and is beating Sony in the console wars. The Zune is now seen as a legitimate competitor to the iPod. It is sad from these previous posts that people are so quick to dismiss J. I am an Apple user, but I would like to see the iPod have some competition.

Date reviewed: Dec 9, 2007 9:48 PM

Nickname: Sandman619

Review: Microsoft is on course for a rendezvous with IBM. Big, slow, lack of vision. From that height, they cannot see the terrain and are wandering off-course from consumer needs. With Vista sales now tumbling from Microsoft's initial claims of double the sales of XP, which merely tracked the growth of the computer market, their cash cow will become hard-pressed to fun losing enterprises like xbox & zune. Even this wandering Microsoft advertorial heads off-course and actually supports many famous comments including, "Redmond, start your copiers." The new generation of Microsoft leaders are portrayed as merely capable of following the innovators like Apple, the little computer company that is leading the world in innovations in OS, hardware, and consumer electronics designs. Brings to mind a recent comment made by Ballmer that Microsoft was more focused on quantity than quality. This Microsoft advertisement just supports that. Does not sound like an innovator. Cheers!

Date reviewed: May 20, 2007 11:32 PM

Nickname: neptuneavenue

Review: Allard sounds like he's determined to make some waves, however i feel that the bureaucracy of microsoft will no doubt slow him down. i see him getting frustrated and moving on to head up some other billion dollar company where he'll be better suited to make moves. i'm not saying out classing Apple cant be done, just that the mountain seems pretty insurmountable.

Date reviewed: May 7, 2007 8:26 PM

Nickname: Jon T

Review: Well, it seems that Steve Jobs was absolutely right. The Zune proved beyond doubt that Microsoft has not taste and little flair for innovation either. Motivation. I don't think so.

Date reviewed: May 4, 2007 12:08 PM

Nickname: den

Review: New culture of innovation? like zune and vista? you must be kidding. They're 3rd rate ripoffs of their competitors.

Date reviewed: Feb 1, 2007 11:23 AM

Nickname: jam_n_texas

Review: This is clearly a new era for Microsoft, a defining moment if you will. There seems to be a renewed emphasis on innovation, culture, diversity, and overcoming adversity! As an investor, with what is on the horizon, I am taking a serious look at the potential upside here as we have seen in the past with Microsoft. Can they do it again? Is this where they clearly seperate themselves and pull away (again going from "Good to Great to Greater")? I believe it is!

Date reviewed: Jan 7, 2007 7:40 PM

Nickname: ADS

Review: Get a life, guys. He's doing his job and really, seriously, really doesn't know your name. And if Xbox does turn a profit, then he damn well deserves whatever accolades he gets. Aren't some of us saying the same thing as his chum in the last paragraph -- seeing the mountain as insurmountable. Well some are complaining about the mountain or him. Better do something. Go impress a Google recruiter, join them, make the killer-app to wipe off MS -- if you can. Strange how most people who accomplish things let their work do the talking.

Date reviewed: Jan 7, 2007 2:50 AM

Nickname: j-jumpz

Review: J Allard didn't invent Lemonade Stand? By the time he was 12 the game was already nearly a decade old--it was written by a guy named Bob Jamison in 1973, and ported over for use on the Apple II in 1979. Who is Allard trying to fool? Funny too that Businessweek didn't even bothering checking this fact.

Date reviewed: Dec 20, 2006 6:19 PM

Nickname: Keep riding

Review: gearystwatcher, You nailed it 100% on the head. Allard and Microsoft pursuits are a whole lotta nothing. The monoply game will be over soon folks.

Date reviewed: Dec 19, 2006 7:45 AM