Perception is an odd thing. Microsoft under Ballmer more than doubled revenue and profits while building some successful new businesses. Still, the 00s are refe

Perception is an odd thing. Microsoft under Ballmer more than doubled revenue and profits while building some successful new businesses. Still, the 00s are referred to as a "lost decade" for the company. The stock price started climbing immediately after Ballmer's resignation -- before a replacement had been chosen -- demonstrating a pretty clear "anyone but him" sentiment in the market. So on the one hand, negative perception seems a bit silly when the company is fundamentally doing well. On the other hand, that perception is often rooted in something real.