Goodbye Microsoft (sorta) and Hello *********

Well it’s been a chaotic few weeks here in wonderful Microsoft Land. I have been getting tons of questions about some things I said at CHI. Apparently, unknown to me, a few people overheard me talking to some SOFTie colleagues and telling them that I was planning an external move soon. What that means is I was planning on getting another job, but not at Microsoft.

ProTip: A “move” just means you are shifting teams, an “external move” means I was going back into the world. Its rare that a Microsoftie goes back out into the world. It really is an incredible place to work.

Here is a small “guide” to Ron.

1. I have Asperger’s Syndrome. It is clinically significant, but not so much that I freak out or am crazy awkward in public situations. I consider it an amazing gift to be honest. There are a few things about the “syndrome” that really come out in me. I am very honest and upfront, and I am incredibly gifted in some things (mainly design and using logic to break down and solve problems) and am very bad at other things (remembering dates, balancing a checkbook, etc).
2. I am obsessive about finding solutions to problems. (see #1) The more difficult the problem, the more obsessive I get. The real challenge to this is that in design, you rarely find a “solution” rather than finding a better than what you have now option. That does suffice for me, but usually I will obsess about a problem until I make a giant leap in the space. Good enough isn’t enough.
3. I LOVE a good challenge. These are what make me get up in the morning and clap my hands.
4. When it comes to work, I rarely choose the “easy” route. Which means if I have the choice between a difficult job and an easy job, with both being the same amount of money… I always choose the difficult job because it will cause me to grow.

So where does that leave us? Well, I’m trying to lead up to where I am going to next. My last day at Microsoft was Friday and I am busy preparing to move across the country.

So what is my next challenge? I think it is the most complex problem in the User Experience world at the present time and just thinking about it gets my brain pumping.

Bloomberg.

The article at UX Mag.

This interface is complex, rich, and mind-blowing in size and scope. I think this article really sums up a few of the problems, but also makes some wrong assertions as well.

http://uxmag.com/design/the-impossible-bloomberg-makeover

I think the best line in the article is this,

“Redesigning the Bloomberg Terminal would be any interface designer’s dream.”

You are correct, and if I have said it once, I’ll say it again… I am living the dream. See you in New York!

Further Reading:

Wikipedia Article

Google image search of examples of the terminal.

An interesting visual history/lineup of past terminals on display at Bloomberg

An example of a typical Terminal in use

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3 Responses to “Goodbye Microsoft (sorta) and Hello *********”

1. Ben Reierson says:

   May 10, 2010 at 11:36 am

   Very cool. I can’t decide if I envy you or pity you, but good luck and update the world on the Bloomberg challenge whenever you can.

   Reply
2. Jonathan Anderson says:

   May 19, 2010 at 11:33 am

   Hey Ron,

   I’m glad you enjoyed Dominique’s article about the Bloomberg terminal. If you’ve read the comments, you’ll know you’re not alone in disagreeing with parts of it.

   Good luck in your new role. If you’re able to talk about what you’re doing and learning, I’d love to follow up the Bloomberg article with an insider perspective. And even if that isn’t workable, let us know if you’d ever be interested in contributing an article.

   All the best,
   –
   Jonathan Anderson
   Managing Editor, UX Magazine
   –
   jonathan@uxmag.com | @first_day
   http://uxmag.com

   –

   Follow us on Twitter @uxmag, or on Facebook at facebook.com/uxmag

   Reply
   • Ron says:

     May 31, 2010 at 5:43 am

     Hi Jonathan,

     Yes, I do disagree with parts of it, but let me also say that I think its one of the best articles on the subject as well, or I wouldn’t have used a cite. I ‘disagree’ with things in an academic sense. I might not like some things, but I absolutely want them published because of quality or to invoke conversation, which this one did and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

     I would love to contribute an article. I’ll take a wander on the site and see if I can find anything that might need a boost.

     Reply