On: Microsoft rips off Plurk

[jf]

I just started working for Microsoft so that I can be a voice inside the company for startups. I'm forwarding this thread to my legal contact.

[eob → jf]

Was that really the prime motivator in joining MS? How do you mean "be a voice for startups"? Cool.

People usually cite this reasoning for joining the government -- an organization whose mandate is toward the greater good of its people, but I've never heard it applied toward a corporate entity, whose mandate is solely profit.

Would you mind posting a bit more about your motivations and thinking? I would really like to hear.

[clemesha → eob]

Here's some more info: http://jf.posterous.com/after-5-years-of-using-linux-and-mac...

[abossy → clemesha]

Joel sounds like he's replacing Don Dodge.

[jf → abossy]

I was not hired to replace Don Dodge. I was hired because the person who previously held my role moved internally.

I actually don't know much about Don Dodge - I haven't met him yet. All that I know is that he is well liked and respected.

I can only hope to earn a similar level of respect from the startup community.

[thefool → jf]

were you hired, or were you moved internally?

Its cool that they have someone devoted to worrying about these issues.

[jf → thefool]

I was hired: http://www.linkedin.com/in/joelfranusic

[robryan → abossy]

Sounds like a better role though, not necessarily pushing Microsoft products.

[gcb → robryan]

two months from here he will realise that the VPs expect him to know from startups why they aren't using IIS.

[dhs → gcb]

So Microsoft VPs want to find out why people do not accept their products. Could be a good thing, if they would then insist on improvement of the products guided by the data that the "dev evangelist" provides. You, though, make it sound like it's a bad thing. Care to explain?

[jf → dhs]

I've already started to have conversations inside Microsoft about why startups in the Silicon Valley don't want (or need) to use Microsoft products.

[netcan → clemesha]

What an excellent place to start (this thread/problem). This certainly requires some diplomacy.

[tptacek → eob]

A reasonable person might conclude that they could have more influence over the industry in 4 years at Microsoft than in 2-3 more small startups.

[FreeRadical → jf]

Cool, I hope you keep visiting HN often to stay in touch with the start up scene here.

[jf → FreeRadical]

You can count on it!

[blantonl → jf]

karma?