Despite that flop, William H. Gates, Microsoft's chief executive, who earlier this year also assumed the title of chief software architect, remains committed to the idea of software as an "agent" with human attributes.
He assumed that post in 2000, with Mr. Gates remaining engaged in the daily operation with the title of chief software architect.
He handed over the title of chief software architect in 2006 to Ray Ozzie, a chief developer of the computer networking package Lotus Notes in the 1990s.
He stepped down as chairman in April 2004, taking the title of chief software architect, until he finally severed all ties to the company two months later.
Mr. Gates, who remains chairman, has shifted his focus to the company's technology strategy and has taken the title of chief software architect.
The title of a software design program is used with a measure of irony here, for this sometimes seductive exhibition intends to remind viewers that hard-edge abstractionists have been inventing potent visual experiences since the pioneer efforts of Malevich and Mondrian.
Many of the software titles present information that you could also find using the iPhone's Safari Web browser, but the apps often win out.
I tried GameTap when it was first introduced two years ago and was underwhelmed — by the selection of titles, by the (in)stability of the software and by the fact that you had to give up credit card information before playing a single game.
Because Nintendo makes many of the software titles available for its systems, each Wii sale could rack up more than $250 for the company.
And since it runs the Palm OS, any of the software titles that Palm has started to release on SD cards, including electronic books, games and other assorted applications, should work on the Treo 90.
