Not a new strategy

Summary: As it turns out, just about everyone looking to recruit for a Microsoft-connected project/company (working on Raspberry Pi, Ubuntu etc.) near Microsoft is 'former' Microsoft, but people who are being approached aren't being told so, at least not upfront; those are very familiar and old tactics, which merit a word of caution to all

THIS is the last part of this series (see the first part, second part, and third part for some background and context). It concerns what people from Microsoft, who really dislike GNU/Linux, are working on while trying to enlist people who actually do like Linux. It is reminiscent of what Microsoft did to rivals which were companies rather than a community (the latter is harder to squash as if it was a cockroach). The language of 'pest control' is used by Microsoft itself:

“Linux infestations are being uncovered in many of our large accounts as part of the escalation engagements.”

--Microsoft Confidential

In Part III we showed some correspondence between a bunch of Microsoft people and a prominent developer, whom we won't name. 2 days later the Microsoft contact said: "So, what’s the best number to reach you? Phone interviews are going on today. I’d like you to speak with the Hiring Mgr."

Guess who...

"The Hiring Mgr is Aubrey Edwards. Please look at his LinkedIn so you have an idea of who you’ll be chatting with..."

No response. Notice how pushy...

Same contact, but later that day: "Hi! Just trying to reach you as interviews are going on today. Hiring Mgr is avail 5pst or 6pst..."

The developer belatedly responded: "Hi. I do want to know more about the job but I was thinking about having to work with msft ppl... and I don't know. I may not be the best fit..."

Same developer later: "Here's the thing....if they want to customize Ubuntu...they need to either license or have different repos. So... it's a little challenging license wise..."

Then the contact gave away that he or she had already/also worked for Microsoft: "Haha! There are many fab ppl at Msft! It’s like most companies... some ppl rock and others are ... I’m an ex-Msft ee that left a long time ago. They were great to me tbh!"

Well, paid salaries. How "great"...

Sabotaging companies by breaking the law can be "great"... if all one cares about is money.

The contact persisted: "I’m not clear on the tech specifics. I’d think it would be worthwhile to chat with Aubrey. He can tell you a bit more about the team working on this particular project. Your choice! He’s open tonight and then prolly making a hiring decision since this project is an ASAP fill."

Who's Aubrey? Let's see...

The developer thus responded with "thanks... But I don't want anything to do with Aubrey."

It says "Microsoft posts a page denigrating the growing operating system. Critics call it business as usual."

Aubrey is even mentioned by name.

"Thanks anyways," said the developer. How many more such developer were targeted by this same group? Hard to tell...

Even the contact acted all surprised, stating: "Whoa! Interesting. Very interesting."

To summarise, what we have here is a bunch of 'former' Microsoft people (still working near Microsoft and also with Microsoft) using a person to contact GNU/Linux developers without disclosing the Microsoft connections. This contact too used to work for Microsoft and says "I’m an ex-Msft ee that left a long time ago. They were great to me tbh!"

Watch out. These people have plans. They still work for Microsoft, but they aren't saying so. ⬆