ESR Gets Job Offer From Microsoft

epsalon writes "Eric S. Raymond, the well known Open Source Evangelist, recently received a job offer from Microsoft, that he strongly refused. Is this another attempt to lure Open Source figures or just ignorance?" From his post: "I called [the Microsoft HR rep], who told me my name had been passed to him by his research team. I indicated to him that I thought somebody was probably having a little joke at his expense, and promised him an email reply."

Comments

Re:Raymond fits right into MS

[l3v1]

Yeah, and you're the guy who tells who's who, right ? Or else, what did you do for FOSS in the weight of ESR that you feel you're entitled to call him a fraud and his work nothing ?

Never mind.

Daniel Robbins

[stinky wizzleteats]

Is this what the e-mail looked like to which you said "yes"?

I would not have believed my respect for you could diminish, but it has. Pathetic.

Re:Job offer?

[Elektroschock]

what is bad about working for Microsoft? I do not understand the anti-Ms attitude although I have personal reasons to object against business policies of Microsoft. Ani-Ms is in large parts irrational.

I don't see a job offer here!

[callipygian-showsyst]

I called [the Microsoft HR rep], who told me my name had been passed to him by his research team. I indicated to him that I thought somebody was probably having a little joke at his expense, and promised him an email reply."

Getting a call from HR is not a job offer. A job offer comes after a round of interviews, and is typically a written document with terms, salaries, dates, etc.

What Eric got was a letter from HR saying simply, that they heard he may be interested in a job, and offering to answer his questions. If any of you all just sent a letter to Microsoft asking about jobs, you'd probably get a similar reply.

It's puzzling that Eric Raymond calls this a "job offer". He's either stupid, or a liar. Pick one.