Reflections on Convergence 2008-Is Microsoft About to Become Warm and Cuddly on Us?

One of the more intriguing sessions at Convergence 2008 in Orlando was one led by Jakob Nielsen, who has the intriguing title, "Principal User Experience Manager" of Microsoft Dynamics.

He defined his mission as "to create a Microsoft Dynamics people love." Then he raised this obvious question: "What makes people LOVE certain products?"

He said his group in Copenhagen has seven studies going on, involving some 300 to 400 people via surveys, focus groups, and "cognitive walkthroughs" to gain "a deep understanding of the people who use our software," with particular emphasis on "emotional aspects."

The simple fact that someone like Nielsen is doing what he's doing, and was trotted out for an appearance before the media during the most important Dynamics gathering of the year, is striking because...