You Never Know Who's Reading...

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a room with Jim Newkirk and Ward Cunningham when we were discussing Google Page Ranks. Essentially, Google has their algorithms to determine how important a page is. I believe this is a combination of how many people link to you and who links to you. I’ve been told they keep refining the algorithm to try to stay one step ahead of those who try to game the system, but I think the general premise remains. Being the hypercompetitive Type A that I am, I like to track how relevant this blog is. So I knew my stats (6 out of 10, thank you very much!). But when Jim and Ward went to their respective pages, they each scored a 5. I beat Ward Cunningham (of XP and wiki fame) and Jim Newkirk (of NUnit and TDD fame)! Yeah, I didn't believe it either. That's so cool! Haha, in your faces!!! Being bright guys, both Jim and Ward knew there was some serious logic failure going on here. They both accused me of paying off Google, which I denied--but it’s not a bad idea. Hey Google, if you are listening: you are a public company and need to grow revenue. Make me a 9 out of 10 and there may be a couple of bucks in it for you ;>.

Anyway, there’s something about knowing your blog gets read that makes it a little more fun to write (as opposed to the relative anonymity to which I wrote my previous blog). Ah, but the price of popularity--you never know who’s gonna respond to what you write and where it’ll end up. Last week, I blogged about my excitement over the company meeting. Robert Scoble (every blogger’s hero :>) wasn’t as excited about Steve Ballmer’s enthusiasm given he was sitting on a couch the whole time. I’ll agree with Robert that there was no stage bouncing like in years past. But while he was seated, but he was acting like he was strapped in and ready to bust out. He was still lively and animated, bouncing around and swinging his arms wildly. I’d still prefer the Safeco Field sprint, but no matter what the setting is, you can’t hide that enthusiasm. As one friend remarked, “I was exhausted just watching him!” But regardless of our respective takes on Steve Ballmer, the interesting thing is that he linked to me and my “page views” shot up. Keep linking Robert. Jim and Ward are gaining on me! :>

But then it got weirder. I got a couple of e-mails yesterday telling me I was quoted in the Seattle Times. Hmm, I don’t remember doing an interview with them. Lo and behold, they quoted my blog entry. I gotta admit, that’s kinda cool. Of course, they closed the paragraph on my comments by writing (and I quote) “Awwww.” I can’t say I take kindly to “isn’t that cute” comments, but the writer is entitled to his/her opinion. Frankly, I wouldn’t expect him/her to understand. Inspiration is a funny thing. I find it in my father. I find it in my wife. I find it in my brother. I find it in my best friends. And, yes, I find it in my boss’ boss’ boss’ boss’ boss’ boss. I think you can argue that I’ve been brainwashed if I thought any of Ballmer’s enthusiasm was contrived, but I promise you it’s genuine. I think people outside Microsoft have a hard time believing that. Microsoft has been vilified for so long that it’s hard to imagine us doing something altruistic. It must be some sort of act, right? It’s all “just a way for Bill Gates to make more money.” (that used to be my father-in-law’s favorite phrase before I started working at Microsoft and he’s got an equivalent one for Home Depot :>). And having stated my passion for the company and its leader, I have obviously been suckered, right? Well, there’s only so much defending you can do for yourself before you are going to have to live with that people think. So think what you will. But the more Mr. Ballmer keeps up his “act”, the more likely I am to stick around and blog about it. After all, I can't disappoint all my readers...

 

{Counting Crows - Recovering The Satellites}