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Microsoft's 2008 fiscal year started on July 1. The company typically lays out its strategy for the upcoming year at the annual Microsoft Financial Analyst Meeting, a one-day event towards the end of the month.

However, the target audience of financial analysts has priorities contrary to those of Microsoft's partners and customers. Wall Street wants more shareholder value, while Microsoft customers want to spend less. My point here is this: a return on investment means something quite different to investors than it does to Microsoft partners.

During last week's Microsoft fiscal fourth quarter earnings call, I had my usual feeling of entering an alternate universe. I found many of the questions asked by financial analysts to be out of touch with any reality beyond dollars and cents.

For example, Microsoft took a $1 billion-plus charge because of failing—let's say defective—Xbox 360 consoles. Financial analysts seemed to treat the situation as little more than the cost of doing business. Any of the analysts inquiring about Xbox 360 could easily have asked instead, "Now that grandma is dead and buried, how much better off is the family?"

But what about the customers and retailers that were impacted by the Xbox 360's failures? Why did no one ask about (former Corporate Vice President of Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices) Peter Moore's departure?

Another that financial analysts are out of touch: many analysts asked about Windows Vista. In particular, they inquired about increasing the mix of Premium versions. Vista Business, Enterprise, Premium and Ultimate meet the criteria, which really means a premium price. Financial analysts seemed anxious to hear about the shift to Vista Enterprise, which is only available through volume licensing.

My translation of their seemingly benign questions is, "How soon will you be able to stick it to more customers through Software Assurance?"

When can customers realistically expect the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1?

Last November, Bob Muglia, senior vice president of Microsoft's Server and Tools business, told my eWEEK colleague Peter Galli that Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 would ship "simultaneously." When a Microsoft executive says "release," he or she means RTM (release to manufacturing).

When can customers realistically expect SQL Server 2008?

In May, Jeff Raikes, president of Microsoft's Business division, made big hoopla about SQL Server 2008 being the "base" for the company's business intelligence strategy.

What has happened to the major and minor product releases plan?

Last week's leak about Jeff Raikes, president of Microsoft's Business division release in 2010 (or thereabouts) seemingly blew a hole in the two- and four-year cycles of major and minor releases.

What will SP1's release be in relationship to R2?

With Windows Server 2003, SP1 came in early 2005 and R2 later that year. But if Windows 7 really is coming in 2010, Microsoft could choose to roll SP1 into R2.

What is Microsoft's real services platform?

During the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference two weeks ago, CEO Steve Ballmer talked all around the services platform but not specifically enough about what it is.

When is Live going to be more alive than dead?

I'll be frank: Windows Live is a train wreck. As I explained in March, Microsoft's Online Services Group went from the black to the red following the November 2005 Live rebranding.

What's the plan for fixing the struggling entertainment strategy?

What was once "the little engine that could" is looking more and more like the big couch potato that can't. The shortlist of Microsoft's entertainment problems..