The Insider: Tech pundits take dim view of Vista

Michael Gartenberg of Jupiter Research also notices this trend and offers his own take on Microsoft's one-year-old operating system:

"I'm starting to think of Vista a little like sushi. I don't love sushi. If it's around, if it's prepared well, if it's fresh, I'll eat it. I rarely go out of my way to eat it, but if there's an alternative, I'll usually eat that. If you ask me if I like sushi, I'll usually say it's not bad."

But hey, putting Windows Vista aside, there's some solace for the company on Time magazine's list of top 10 video games: No. 1: Halo 3. So maybe these year-end wrap-up things aren't so bad for Microsoft after all.

Whoops, never mind: Coming in at No. 4 on Time's list of Top 10 Worst Business Deals: Microsoft overpays for Facebook.

CORPORATE CONNECTIONS: Continuing the flow of employees between state government and the state's largest corporations, Pearse Edwards, 38, was named external relations director for Gov. Chris Gregoire last week.

Edwards' most recent position was a director of communications in corporate affairs at Microsoft. His resume also includes a stint in former Gov. Gary Locke's communications office.

He said of his appointment, "While it is hard to leave my current role raising my two children full time, I relish the opportunity to serve the governor and the people of Washington state." Edwards starts Jan. 2.

Last month, Boeing hired Locke's former chief of staff, Fred Kiga, to lead its government relations team in the Pacific Northwest. His job is to build relationships with government officials with respect to public policy.

SAVE A TREE: As much as we like getting Christmas cards in the mail from PR firms and sources, we cannot help but applaud the Institute of Internal Auditors' decision to send an e-mail greeting this year, and donate the money it saved on stamps and cards to The United Nations Children's Fund.