The Microsoft boss says that I am "weird and extreme"

Today, I read the following in an article in the New York Times about Microsoft's future:

“We’re not moving toward a world of thin computing,” said Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive, referring to systems in which simple processing takes place on a PC, but more complex processing is moved to a centralized computer through a network connection. “We’re moving toward a world of software plus services.”

Nearly every Microsoft software application will be transformed with the addition of a Web-services component within 3 to 10 years, he said.

He rejected the notion that in the future all software would be based in what computer industry executives refer to as “the cloud” — computer hardware and software reachable over the Internet. “People tend to get weird and extreme about this,” Mr. Ballmer said. “Does everything move to the cloud? I think that is wrong-minded.”

Microsoft is apparently considering rolling out a - revised? - web-based strategy. I am not confident that this strategy will work. Steve claims that we are NOT moving towards thin computing (mobile devices, anyone?) and that we ARE moving towards a future WITH software (surprise!) and services. However, they are launcing web services of their software within 3 to 10 years. (Not a typo, unless the New York Times do not read proof). Finally, he offers the following about the users and the market: "you are weird and extreme".

I claim that Steve is smoking too much of Bill Gates' synthetic pot. I may drink a bottle of rosé or two in the weekends, but I am still clear enough in my head to know this:

1. We are moving towards thin client computing, i.e. mobile devices

2. The future* is MINUS software PLUS services = web 3.0 (timelines to market are 3-10 months)

3. The - social - users and the - social - market are king. Corporation power is dead.

*Btw: the future is now. People are uninstalling their Office software as Steve is firing up his designer bong.

***