Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review - Gizmodo Comments

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

pixelslave — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:24:48 EDT

I "hope" I am not an idiot. I wasn't exactly lost, but once in HK, I was looking for a band room. It's my first time there, and I didn't know the direction. So, right after I got off from a bus, I asked a lady how to get to the band room. She's very helpful and told me to go straight, turn left, go straight, turn left, go straight, turn left, go straight, turn left and the band room would be in the middle of the block. I did exactly what she instructed and -- I arrived at the band room, which was right behind where I got off from the bus.

pixelslave

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

munan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:30:52 EDT

@nutbastard:
What do you have against the Celtic Bayou??

munan

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

munan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:16:14 EDT

I am currently employed at Microsoft and worked for Apple in the late 80's.
Here's what you need to know about Microsoft's campus.
Had you gone to buildings 1 through 11, you would have been fine. These buildings are built on a loop and are the center of campus.
As Microsoft expanded, they bought or leased everything they could get their hands on, and this has resulted in a difficult campus to get around in at times.
I am not saying it's great, but you have to understand, it wasn't designed that way from scratch.
I work in building 86, but it can also be called RNB, or Redmond North, building B. Getting a shuttle here is an exercise in futility. These building were recently acquired from Safeco and nobody really seems too sure on what is what yet. So when I'm told to wait for a shuttle at my vestibule, it will depend on the receptionist since they usually send them to RNA which is the next building over. More times than one I have watched my shuttle go driving on by.
Okay, now I'm just rambling. In fairness, had you had the right address and arranged a Microsoft shuttle, you would have been fine.

munan

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

MadCrazy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:17:28 EDT

@MadCrazy:

MadCrazy

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

MadCrazy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:11:26 EDT

Mac Gamer Spoof

MadCrazy

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Piuro — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:17:13 EDT

As someone who grew up about a 5th of a mile from the Microsoft campus, I gotta say it's a lot easier to navigate if you've been wandering it since you were 3.

Piuro

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:53:34 EDT

@quikboy: Live is great, actually, but no one uses it. What's wrong with bias? It's called liking stuff more than others. I think the word you're searching unsuccessfully for is "prejudiced". They teach you that word in school yet?

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

quikboy — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:00:26 EDT

I use Live Maps. It's pretty darn accurate. Shows another reason how Gizmodo is biased.

And the Microsoft campus is pretty neat.

quikboy

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Your.Master — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:26:22 EST

Live maps blows Google maps away when you use it from a high-end phone. It has pretty good voice recognition software and a touch-friendly interface with logical options for people who are trying to get somewhere nearby (rather than people trying to plan a trip from their home). On the desktop they are more-or-less equal, with Live Maps giving a slightly different style of directions (IMO it seems to try to be more "conversational", with directions phrased like a real person would give them -- "if you see you've gone too far" -- which is not necessarily an advantgage or disadvantage depending on how you operate).

Your.Master

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

grumbly — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:02:56 EST

The physical infrastructure on the Microsoft campus is just crushed by it's own size. Those sings that you posted are frequently used as counter examples in UI design.

grumbly

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Silvadragon — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:31:25 EST

More MS bashing i see....

Silvadragon

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

smayton — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:41:08 EST

@macserv

Exactly.

smayton

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

kavex — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:06:36 EST

@Travisism:

LOL. More specifically, the authors of Konami's Contra had their fingerprints on this one!

Up up down down, left right left right A B start!!

kavex

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Travisism — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:03:21 EST

@CaseyG:

I already made that joke! Though I was referencing the dancing game made by them.

Travisism

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Nitsuj116 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:48:57 EST

I never even noticed there where Building numbers written on the buildings themselves. I always go by the signs in front of each building.

As for Building 7, as I understand it the land they planned to build 7 on was unsuitable so it ended up never being built. It would have been to the West of Building 4.

The only feature I like on on maps.live.com is the Bird's Eye View. You can really get a good look at the MS campus that way.

Nitsuj116

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Rizzuh — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:53:49 EST

I really don't find the Microsoft campus to be that hard to navigate, I've been their several times. That said however, I've pretty much lived in Redmond my whole life so that probably helps haha

Rizzuh

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

rolandsb — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:56:24 EST

The pair of photos says everything.
EXCELLENT posting.
Have you read/browsed through the book Envisioning Information by Edward R. Tufte? You should probably send him a link to this.

rolandsb

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Usama — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:46:13 EST

by the way that comment about Jobs was more a testament to his anal personality and not me loving his every little word (I actually don't like Apple, even if some of their products are svelte).

Usama

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

GeeCee — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:46:00 EST

Wow, this thread is awesome.

And those Microsoft signs sure are tiny.

GeeCee

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Usama — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:43:48 EST

Hospitals, especially ones that have expanded a couple of times, suffer from the same unfriendly navigation issues. I think over time, given Apple's rate of growth, it could also become as confusing in terms of the winding roads. If Jobs is still in charge though, he'll probably actually take notice to this and try to make sure that the signs stay as big and reader-friendly as they are.

Usama

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:15:45 EST

@diabolusunknown: Right, but you started with an insult. So you get one in return. But thanks for the explain, shake hands.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Hoaxe — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:20:16 EST

@ParJoe: depends if you want to count to infinity or not and then output something.

Hoaxe

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brown_Noise — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:12:29 EST

I didn't know about live maps either.

Brown_Noise

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Schalliol — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:11:27 EST

@diabolusunknown: Again, Apple's HQ campus is MUCH larger than 7 buildings on the loop!

Schalliol

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brown_Noise — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:11:15 EST

@Brian Lam: Good article I thought, but of course you had to know the flaming that would ensue. Things like this really are a testament to the culture of both companies. Polar opposites, but you can understand each.

Brown_Noise

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brown_Noise — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:07:30 EST

@dwight-schrute: Hey I don't know how many people remember but that was also the stage select code to Sonic the Hedgehog.

Brown_Noise

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

f1sh3r — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:05:42 EST

i didn't even know there was a live maps til just now.

that being said, microsoft sucks, and that's obviously why b.lam got lost.

f1sh3r

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

M.O.D.O.K. — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:47:07 EST

Apple's campus is very close to the Winchester Mystery House. So there's something to do after visiting the Apple company store.

M.O.D.O.K.

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

mike016256 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:45:55 EST

@Totalfixation:

Sorry, the single, full version of Mac OS X costs $ 120, while Vista Home Premium is about $200 and Ultimate is more than $300. Mac can do everything Windows can, except maybe games. And even that is changing now that EA is developing for Mac.

mike016256

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Laeg — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:07:49 EST

@SirNirian:
The linux campus is fine in all but its like in the middle of nowhere and its kinda hard to get around if you've never been there before

Sure there are a bunch of cabs to take you places but there are never any drivers

Laeg

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

someToast — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:40:50 EST

@moosiest: "Oh, and the MSFT lingo for the "someone going in without swiping their badge" is "tailgating.""

Well, the lingo at MSFT and every other company that requires ID badge access. ; )

someToast

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Monty — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:23:04 EST

People at these high tech companies still drive to work at a building somewhere?

How quaint. They must be unaware that their respective companies make software that allow them to work from home.

Monty

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

JustThisGuy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:02:20 EST

What's actually kind of fascinating about the MS campus is its organic growth. It seems like the company evolved a bit like an unplanned city. Reminds a bit of London writ small, actually.

JustThisGuy

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

MBPro — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:39:31 EST

@Brian Lam: pahahahahaa roflcopter

MBPro

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

phuzzy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:36:35 EST

seattle and washington state in general has terrible road signs. visiting that area is a pain. just driving out of the airport is a mess.

phuzzy

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

dwight-schrute — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:03:22 EST

@CaseyG: up up down down left right left right b a (select) start. The select is for 2 player.

Also my girlfriend called me a 'nerd' the other day. Can you believe it?

dwight-schrute

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

diabolusunknown — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:59:27 EST

@Brian Lam: Wow, sorrrrry.

The difficulty of navigating Microsofts campus is of course due to its size. Sure, the signs are small, but the sheere number of elements to store on those signs can be enormous. But if it bothered you, then fine.

I used Live Maps for no particular reason at all. I use google maps all the time because its very quick. But i thought this time, ill use live, because it exists. Next time, ill use mapquest. Is there a problem with using a microsoft product, now?

And lets not forget you said yourself that it might be an unfair bash, so i decided to tell you why its unfair. The Microsoft campus has been expanded and expanded, and of course it would be difficult to maintain a certain level of cohesion, considering zoning laws and natural elements that have to be preserved.

I posted the map so you could get a side by side comparison as to just how big the campus is compared to Apple. As well, that Update you just made proves my point. When you expand into territory you didnt plan to expand to, confusion comes about, and there is difficulty in maintaining a sense of coherence.

I meant no offense.

diabolusunknown

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

hayabusa55 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:54:34 EST

Again?

hayabusa55

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

tamoko — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:34:33 EST

@apple_worm: The shareholders turned MicroSoft down... their per share bid was way too low.

tamoko

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian B — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:33:45 EST

@silvarga: @willyolio: @chinook11:
Jumpin' Jesus on a pogostick, people. BLAM acknowledged the size difference of the campuses. He's commenting on the signage - the physical GUI, if you will.

Brian B

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

macserv — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:28:55 EST

There is a definite difference in the two companies that extends beyond the products which they make. It's in the culture and the personalities of the people you find working there.

I think it was best summed up when Jobs said that "Apple is at the intersection of the Arts and Technology." I usually amend that by saying that Microsoft is at the intersection of Business and Technology. When you look at it from that standpoint, it really does paint an accurate picture of the two industry giants; their missions, their motivation, and their brand image.

macserv

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

dumpsterdiver — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:28:52 EST

CAMPUSMODO!

dumpsterdiver

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

apple_worm — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:28:23 EST

Is gizmodo owned by apple or something?

apple_worm

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

frommoon — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:26:37 EST

I worked at MSFT for a year as a contractor (*BOO! HISS!*) and I pretty much had the same experience as this article on a daily basis. I can't remember the building #'s, but they have 3 or 4 grouped together that are EXACTLY the same, and share a parking garage, so when you come up in an elevator, you have NO IDEA where you are.

frommoon

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

92BuickLeSabre — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:17:02 EST

@matto: Apple Campus hasn't been the same since they got rid of the pirate flags and the icon garden. I miss Clarus and her "Moof".

92BuickLeSabre

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Noobs-R-Us — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:14:22 EST

@chinook11: I'm sure if MSFT had anything for people to brag about, YOU would!

Noobs-R-Us

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

CaseyG — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:14:03 EST

Up, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Left...

Isn't that a cheat code in Contra?

CaseyG

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

matto — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:13:53 EST

These comments are an Infinite Loop

matto

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

brianjcohen0 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:13:37 EST

I see this (the Microsoft campus getting-lost issue) as no different than any college campus. Every freshman gets lost the first week or so because he hasn't been there long enough to know which building is named what. After a short while, he/she knows where stuff is at. Visitors still have it rough but if you visit enough college campuses you realize it's best to just ask for directions.

I'm also a bit inclined to agree with @chinook11 above, re: the Apple obsessiveness.

brianjcohen0

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

fathomzero — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:11:19 EST

Apple reminds me of the NURV campus as opposed to the other way around. Funky stuff.

fathomzero

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

quiksilver180 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:09:26 EST

At Apple, even though they have expanded past Infinite Loop, there is probably almost no reason that you'll need to go there.

I've been to Microsoft's campus too... it's nice that it's all in one location, but yes, the layout is confusing and you have to squint to read the signs.

quiksilver180

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

chinook11 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:58:57 EST

Only when the author has a pious fixation with Apple and its products to the point they spiral down the path of creepy zombie-like "Apple vs. Microsoft" obsessvieness. This blog has slowly gone from objective gadget reviews to an every-other-post Apple fan fest and hate Microsoft pinata party. Its sad, it used to be great. I just wish they would focus on gadgets again.

chinook11

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

willyolio — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:58:28 EST

@Brian Lam:
i have to give it to diab here. saying "it's bigger than apple" doesn't quite convey HOW much bigger. in fact, the way you said it like "oh, by the way, it's a lot bigger," i got the impression that it was maybe 5x bigger or so. not 30x.

willyolio

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

PynkFloydd — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:58:26 EST

Stumble on any secret tunnels or areas?

Did you get to visit the Ballmer cages before you left Microsoft?

PynkFloydd

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

shenanigans61 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:54:56 EST

@tkerugger: My thoughts exactly.

shenanigans61

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

shenanigans61 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:52:45 EST

@Brian Lam: You can say this, yet a buddy of mine gets banned for calling a stupid table gay?
Ok...

shenanigans61

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

tkerugger — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:50:36 EST

Is it the norm to have the author patrol the comments like this and be so mean?

tkerugger

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

chinook11 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:43:17 EST

@iomatic
What in the world does you last line mean? That makes no sense...

"And, for the Ballmer-sucking, tasteless sheep, no: you just can't defend it, OK? You sound like asses."

chinook11

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Seiven — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:41:10 EST

@ParJoe: ROFL it can be bad...but it depends on what your goal is

Seiven

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

iomatic — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:32:16 EST

Brian, I had the same experience. With Apple, you just don't get lost, you just get to what you need to do.

With Microsoft, you have to find a wayfinding tool first, and even that is antiquated and is a frustrating experience, but eventually you'll find what you need; you just wasted a lot of time figuring it out.

Sound familiar?

And, for the Ballmer-sucking, tasteless sheep, no: you just can't defend it, OK? You sound like asses.

iomatic

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

silvarga — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:32:05 EST

sad.

Microsoft's main campus is huge and can definitely be difficult to traverse. Especially if you don't take its size into account, try to research the campus, or plan your route before heading there.

But how much of that lost hour did you spend just sitting in reception at bldg 32 before it dawned on you to confirm whether you were actually in the right building? If the geek developer hadn't told you where to get off, would you not have asked the shuttle driver? Would you have simply sat on the curb quietly sobbing like a confused elderly technophobe trying to send an email from Word?

You may indeed find fault and difficulty in the giant Microsoft campus maze. But you're doing a disservice to yourself by publicly comparing it to your experience on Apple's little hamster wheel.

Next time, when they offer you a simple point-A-to-point-B solution, take it.

silvarga

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Out2gtcha — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:31:40 EST

God I hate Microsoft.

That's really saying something considering how I feel about apple.

Out2gtcha

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

johnbrine1 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:31:08 EST

o-m-g how'd you do it? I tried to go to Apple Campus around 2001 on a Sunday Afternoon. Got as far as San José, didn't get anywhere near 1 Infinite Loop, or Pebble Beach, for that matter...You lucky son of a gun !

johnbrine1

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

RainyDayInterns — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:19:53 EST

The best thing about being the editor...the "hammer!" Awesome.

RainyDayInterns

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

nutbastard — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:17:14 EST

@Kered:

...which would be mildly insulting if everything MS does wasn't so convoluted and counterintuitive.

I pop windows guys onto Ubuntu and suddenly they know how to configure all the things that are hidden in obscure control panel tabs in Windows.

If i drove a car that required I sit backwards and steer with my feet, and I crash it, is THAT user error?

nutbastard

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Kered — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:07:05 EST

Sounds like Lam's experience can be blamed on the same thing that's the real cause of anyone's problems with Microsoft: user error.

Kered

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Cullen D — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:01:21 EST

@Brian, yes the MS campus can be confusing, but you should be able to get the hang of it pretty quickly.

So was TechFest in 99? That is MSR's new building, I thought techfest would be in 34 or 35.

Funny story about 32, I guess during the summer, someone drove their car into the glass front part at 11pm demanding to see Bill Gates. Hah.

Cullen D

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

MINI Driver — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:50:25 EST

@Brian Lam:

Every time I post with that level of agression I get Banned :(

Still - very entertaining reading for a slow Friday at work thanks Mr Lam.

Ever thought of trying the Cisco campus in San Jose - now THAT'S A CAMPUS!

MINI Driver

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

lafond66 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:47:58 EST

@Oneon1isto: googolplex is also a number.

lafond66

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

SeattleTed — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:46:38 EST

Nice read. MS has unsigned offices in Seattle as well due to the large young professionals that find the east side strip mall life vomit inducing. More is scheduled to come in downtown Bellevue as well which is about a lame a place as you can imagine. Did you get to take a gander at Casa de Bill's as you crossed the 520 bridge?

SeattleTed

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Mish80921 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:41:24 EST

How ironic is this? Infinite Loop isn't.

Mish80921

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:40:03 EST

@Noobs-R-Us: Maybe not enough surface area on buildings (street access) if you built a loop that big. (Think of the human brain and its folds.)

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

tamoko — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:39:15 EST

@Brian Lam: Well played Brian, well played.

tamoko

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Noobs-R-Us — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:33:37 EST

@diabolusunknown: So you mean to tell me that MSFT couldn't have just created a giant loop? That would have been much harder than creating what they have now???

Why do you think Disney World has a giant loop for the monorail? It makes it easy to find things as well as for getting around. MSFT could have created a giant loop and used a rail service that would reduce the complication of having a shuttle service.

Noobs-R-Us

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Oneon1isto — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:30:33 EST

So, nothing like real-time mystery solving in the middle of the comments section...

"The search engine Google (a deliberate misspelling of googol) refers to its headquarters as the Googleplex."

I had no idea, and thus I wear my shame for all to see.

Oneon1isto

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Oneon1isto — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:25:43 EST

So here' what I was thinking of:

[en.wikipedia.org]

Clearly not the same googleplex.

Oneon1isto

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

imTheKing — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:25:12 EST

Diabolusunknown is a Microsoft sucker. The guy is consistently up on the MS end. Either way, kick ass article Brian. I enjoyed it.

imTheKing

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Oneon1isto — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:24:12 EST

Googleplex? Isnt' that a number or something?

Or are we serious? If we are, I sincerely retract my hars.

Oneon1isto

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:22:56 EST

@macserv: True. I think I'll add an update to the other campus locations that apple is developing.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

nutbastard — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:22:19 EST

@Oneon1isto:
why the "har har"??

[en.wikipedia.org]

nutbastard

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:19:22 EST

@Munch420s: Funny! You are right. Ho Ho Ho.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Oneon1isto — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:18:43 EST

@nutbastard: Har Har.

Oneon1isto

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

macserv — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:18:24 EST

Oh, and Apple is building a whole new campus soon... that oughta even things up a little :)

macserv

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

macserv — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:17:30 EST

Wow... that size comparison is fascinating.

Even if you factor in Apple's Valley Green, Bandley, De Anza, Mariani, and Bubb buildings, Microsoft still dwarfs them.

Someone start checking around the Apple Campus for five smooth stones :D

macserv

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Paradise — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:16:27 EST

@Brian Lam: ah crap. see the above is what you get when you don't bash the f5 button before posting.

Paradise

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Paradise — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:15:01 EST

@diabolusunknown: how does that explain "First of all the road signs for each building are very very small. And each building itself is only labeled by a building number and street address which are impossible to read from a car. Too small, and low contrast to the windows." or any of the other problems that have nothing to do with the scale of the campuses?

Paradise

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Munch — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:13:51 EST

@BLam:

Anyone else want some? I'm in a fierce mood.

LOL - I can't take you seriously with that pic of you in a Santa hat... It's like getting yelled at by your boss when he has a piss dribble tracking down his pants.

@nutbastard: Any predictions on the number of comments this time?

Munch

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:12:10 EST

@moosiest: It's cool, no worries. I appreciate the feedback. Good perspective. The shuttles are a great perk.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:08:56 EST

@diabolusunknown: Also, who uses live maps instead of google maps? are you a Microsofty? Loyalty is fine, but disclose, please.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Playstation — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:08:43 EST

Infinite loop will crash your computer, in this case your brain. Be extremely cautious.

Playstation

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

nutbastard — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:08:39 EST

@moosiest:
"Actually, the receptionist/shuttle thing is really a workaround for the fact that, yeah, it's hard to get around on your own."

MS Campus SP1?

nutbastard

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Munch — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:07:51 EST

@BLam: C'mon, dude - the Ban Hammer is supposed to be used in it's own article, not in the comment section. Respect the Ban Hammer, son, respect the Ban Hammer.

Munch

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

tobedetermined — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:07:22 EST

This reminds me of my experience at the Florida Disney World. The place is so big, yet buildings/structures are very well connected. There are just so many people to ask for directions.

tobedetermined

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

P3nnst8r — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:06:58 EST

@moosiest: You're Bill Gates, aren't u.

P3nnst8r

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:06:42 EST

@diabolusunknown: It's not science. But it's not stupid, either. It's the truth. I addressed your point of scale. Did you read above? No? Read this then.

Also, Microsoft's beautiful redmond HQ is gorgeous and sprawling and a testament to the company's size and power, so it is also a lot more territory to cover.

Let me translate that into something you can comprehend:

MICOSOFT IZ BIGGER

Sorry I couldn't write that in crayon.

Now address my issue with your stupid comment: Why are the signs so fucking small if the campus is so big?

Anyone else want some? I'm in a fierce mood.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

FLegion — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:06:17 EST

@Brian Lam: LOL. I think every guy who's married/has a girlfriend knows that thought pattern very well.

FLegion

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

robbywil — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:06:07 EST

@Totalfixation:
Did you buy that suit at Marshalls? Also, you, don't, need, to, use, so, many, commas,.
Apple's campus layout is very visitor friendly and easily navigated as long as your destination is on campus (which for media events and visitors it would be). Apple campus has done some building vomiting across the better portion of Cupertino though and finding your way to a specific spot in one of these buildings will get you about as frustrated as Stevie Wonder in an easter egg hunt.

robbywil

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Ambigous Blob — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:02:27 EST

@newgalactic HEAR HEAR! I second that! When Apple, when?..

Ambigous Blob

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

diabolusunknown — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:59:08 EST

This is the stupidest comparison ive ever seen, and heres why:

[cid-1a170cfacb739900.skydrive.live.com]

Navigating Infinite Loop is like navigating around one building in the Microsoft Campus. Way to point out the obviousness of size, Gizmodo.

The pictures are to scale.

diabolusunknown

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

moosiest — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:57:36 EST

@Brian Lam: Oh sorry, I wasn't trying to defend the signs or anything. Actually, the receptionist/shuttle thing is really a workaround for the fact that, yeah, it's hard to get around on your own. I'd rather walk through the gorgeous campus (check out the Asian-style garden behind RedWest some day!) but I would totally get lost doing so without help.

Maybe next time go early, wander around the pretty parts, get totally lost, then call a shuttle from wherever you end up to get you back on track :)

moosiest

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:54:07 EST

@tamoko: No way! I'm taken, and my girlfriend has wiretapped my brain! (Not that I'd think about it in the first place because that's not right and I'm gonna shut up now...hi honey!)

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

P3nnst8r — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:53:59 EST

@dambo29:

Seconded.

[i144.photobucket.com]

P3nnst8r

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

DeadWriter — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:53:32 EST

Where is building #7?

DeadWriter

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:52:49 EST

@moosiest: Thanks man. I didn't want this to be a swipe, half the reason I got lost was my fault. But the signage needs to be revised. Every building has a building code, so they need huge readable signs on each. It's not too much to ask.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

tamoko — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:52:25 EST

href="#c4593063">IUSEAMACSOSUEME: Exactly..give the man a prize.

@Brian Lam: Get the developer's number?

tamoko

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

dambo29 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:45:24 EST

@Brian Lam: hahaha! give him the hammer! I thought it was a great article!

dambo29

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

moosiest — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:43:34 EST

Hey Brian,

I used to work at MSFT. The campus can be a little daunting, but if you think of it more like a city than an office park you'll be fine. So just like being in a new city, grab a map and ask the locals!

Almost every building has a receptionist (or 2). Drop in any one and they'll give you a map or call a shuttle to take you where you're going. If you have to change shuttles just tell the driver and they'll sort you out.

Basically, it's easy to navigate once you know how to get a shuttle.

Oh, and the MSFT lingo for the "someone going in without swiping their badge" is "tailgating."

moosiest

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

anti-hello-kitty — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:42:39 EST

I heard that MS will give an automatic no-hire to candidates that get lost when trying to get to an interview...

anti-hello-kitty

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:40:53 EST

@newgalactic: LOL.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Noobs-R-Us — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:40:39 EST

I'm shocked that Bill didn't copy Jobs in adding a LARGER loop at Redmond. After all he's clearly seen the better design...

Noobs-R-Us

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

nutbastard — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:39:34 EST

@Oneon1isto:
it's called the googleplex.

nutbastard

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Kaiser-Machead — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:37:11 EST

@Brian Lam: LOL

@Totalfixation: Ironic, since their software costs more.

Kaiser-Machead

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Oneon1isto — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:36:52 EST

I want a sizemodo for Redmond, Cupertino, the Pentagon and whatever the name of Google's main base is.

Now BLam, get to it. You're halfway there.

Oneon1isto

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

SausageAndOnion — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:36:13 EST

@Totalfixation:
Sounds like those guys have some crappy taste in clothes. I dunno about you, but I like lookin good.

SausageAndOnion

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

nutbastard — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:36:02 EST

@Brian Lam:
But the REAL treat with infinite loop is heading over to BJ's for fresh beer and damn good food.

nutbastard

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

P3nnst8r — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:35:28 EST

@Brian Lam:
@ferment78:

BANHAMMER'D!!!

P3nnst8r

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Bani-Banan — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:34:31 EST

One more user experience microsoft failed at.

Bani-Banan

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:33:54 EST

@exkon: That is a good point, hopefully highlighted above. The MSFT event I was at was their techfest 2008 session. They're working on some huge ideas there that Apple doesn't have the resource to touch. My favorite was Trident, a set of analysis and visualization tools for oceanographers. Before, visualizations had to be done by hand for each project. Pretty good work.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:32:36 EST

@SirNirian: Right on. Metaverse.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

newgalactic — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:31:29 EST

Wow, nice building layout Apple. Now, can someone show them how to find a full featured Bluetooth profile stack? They seem to have lost it.

newgalactic

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:30:09 EST

Dudes, this is by no way trying to be scientific. Read the closing sentence. But I did get wickedly lost. And I think the photos tell the story. This isn't science, this is a story of how I see the two campuses.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

SirNirian — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:28:59 EST

Linux campus FTW.

SirNirian

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Brian Lam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:28:21 EST

@ferment78: Sounds like a plan, assholeface. Bye.

Brian Lam

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

IUSEAMACSOSUEME — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:27:33 EST

@Totalfixation: That's the perfect analogy! Some people see clothes as just clothes and some people see clothes as an extension of themselves and are into style. In the end, if you're getting laid, that's all that matters. Mac vs PC, who cares. It's all about the booty.

IUSEAMACSOSUEME

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

discounteggroll — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:27:26 EST

im going to make an app with the iPhone SDK that serves as a travel guide/aide when visiting and navigating the MS campus. cruel irony here I come

discounteggroll

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

ferment78 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:23:16 EST

What a stupid article...how does the writer find his way around outside the campuses? I guess the combination of GPS/Google Maps/taxi/human directions are simply not enough to avoid being lost for an hour! Perhaps you should stay in your room next time.

ferment78

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Travisism — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:21:47 EST

I think Microsoft hired Konami to create their sign.

Travisism

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

IUSEAMACSOSUEME — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:20:51 EST

I'm sure the Microsoft campus is probably 20 times bigger so it's going to be a little bit more confusing, but those signs are reaaaallly small.

IUSEAMACSOSUEME

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

exkon — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:20:49 EST

I've been to the MS campus quite a few time, quite daunting as a first timer there, but not terribly difficult to navigate around.

The campus is just really @#$@ING BIG.

exkon

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Totalfixation — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:18:15 EST

It just seem to me that Apple are people who like to over spend on clothing. while Microsoft people don't care, and see clothes as clothes, and would go the extra length to save money, like shop at marshals, it fits its purpose. In the end i think, those who over spend on clothes will realize the amount of waste they spent and will eventually switch over to what is cheap and does its purpose, Microsoft.

Totalfixation

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

whootowl — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:18:00 EST

Certainly a metaphore of the software that is under the hood of Windows and OSX. Anyone trying to navigate the massive code base of Windows would get just as lost.

whootowl

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

MJDeviant — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:16:14 EST

Looks like nerds vs artists. For some reason the Microsoft building sign makes me think of the movie Brazil. I'm not a huge fan of apple, I like the shuffle and that's about it, but they definitely look like they got things ironed out in the campus department.

MJDeviant

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

tamoko — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:15:35 EST

@Git Em SteveDave: I miss the Jolly Roger too...

tamoko

Apple Campus vs. Microsoft Campus: One Visitor's UI Review

Schalliol — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:15:23 EST

One comment on the Apple campus. Infinite Loop is only a portion of the campus, which has buildings all around the area and also has buildings in other cities in the Valley. Parking lots are still right in front, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get from the loop to some of the other locations. The buildings are named by their street, fortunately, which at least should help somewhat.

Schalliol