Don't be evil!

I am slowly being persuaded that marketing is evil. Not as a discipline, but as a division of the company (textbook definition of marketing is actually more about strategic research; practical implementation is mostly about sales and PR).

Read this pearl, for example.

START QUOTE

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Roadmap Clarification

The past few months have been an amazing time for the SQL Server team as we gear up for the start of the global launch wave on February 27. The response to SQL Server 2008 has been overwhelmingly positive – in fact, we now have more 100,000 downloads of our CTPs. What is catching users’ eyes? Scalability improvements, Resource Governor, Filestream, spatial data support, data compression, policy-based management….the list goes on and on.

Simply put, SQL Server 2008 is a significant release for us – one that builds on all of the great things that we were able to deliver in SQL Server 2005. We see it as a critical step forward for our data platform and the foundation of our broader vision for business intelligence. Based on what we are hearing from customers, as well as the results of the latest benchmarks, it seems the industry agrees.

Not surprisingly, one of the top areas of focus for us is always to deliver a high quality product, and in a very predictable manner. This is vital for our customers and partners – which is why we’ve frequently discussed our goal of releasing SQL Server 2008 within 24-36 months after SQL Server 2005. We are on track to reach this goal.

To continue in this spirit of open communication, we want to provide clarification on the roadmap for SQL Server 2008. Over the coming months, customers and partners can look forward to significant product milestones for SQL Server. Microsoft is excited to deliver a feature complete CTP during the Heroes Happen Here launch wave and a release candidate (RC) in Q2 calendar year 2008, with final Release to manufacturing (RTM) of SQL Server 2008 expected in Q3. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality product possible and we simply want to use the time to meet the high bar that you, our customers, expect.

This does not in any way change our plans for the February 27 launch and we look forward to seeing many of you in Los Angeles and other events around the world. Please keep the great feedback coming and thank you again for your ongoing support of SQL Server!

END QUOTE

What this really says is - we're late. We move the expected release date for SQL server 2008 from Q2 to Q3. This is what it literally should have been saying. Instead, the message is a collection of atrocious doublespeak watered down by a bunch of idiotic self-congratulations.

After reading this, one cannot help by being cynical about the writers, and by proxy, the company that produced this thing. The first thing that comes to mind is - why are they thinking the rest of humanity is THIS stupid???

Here's a parody of this PR pearl, thank you Vadim for pointing it out...

http://www.simple-talk.com/community/blogs/philfactor/archive/2008/01/27/43174.aspx