Mark doesn't want to hear about Green IT unless your server is literally sucking carbon out of the atmosphere!
The geek in question: Mark Aggar
Job title: Environmental Technologist
What’s up with that job title?
I’m Microsoft’s only Environmental Technologist. My business card says “Director of Environment Technology Strategy,” which is more a job description and just has too many syllables for every day use.
I work on the Environmental Sustainability team, and our charter is to look at Microsoft’s footprint, the footprint of information technology, and how information and communications technology (ICT) can actually help the environment. I focus on the latter two areas, and while I don’t focus on Microsoft’s footprint directly, the fact that we are such heavy technology users means that I often get involved with internal “greening” projects – plus the fact that I am passionate about reducing waste and it’s hard for me not to get involved!
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John Platt poses with his Oscar.
The geek in question: John Platt
Title: Research Area Manager @ Microsoft Research
What are you working on?
There are several related research groups that I work with:
- Knowledge Tools
- Machine Learning & Applied Statistics
- Interactive Visual Media Group
(they helped to make PhotoSynth)
- Computer Graphics Group
Personally, I’m focused mostly on machine learning now. I’ve been working with some of the guys in Live Labs on information extraction research, where you say, “Here’s a web page – what information can you take from it?” With information extraction, you turn unstructured data into structured data.
So, wait: how does information extraction relate to your 2006 Academy Award?
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Sara's not working on much ... just, you know, making a first class center of innovation.
The geek in question: Sara Spalding
The job title: Sr. Director of Microsoft’s campus in Cambridge, MA
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on making Cambridge a first class center of innovation for Microsoft.
That’s all? …Slacker. ;)
I think about how to help groups from Redmond build development teams here to take advantage of the local talent pool. I’m working to make sure that we have a great presence in the local community. I make sure all our teams here can be really successful, and I also oversee the renovation of our space and amenities for the campus.
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Reed rocks
The geek in question: Reed Sturtevant
The job title: Managing Director of Microsoft Startup Labs
What are you working on right now?
Hiring in Boston! Our group is in start-up mode. The first of us got hired last fall, and now there are 12 of us. We’ve got seven people who’ve accepted who haven’t started yet.
What kinds of stuff will you be working on?
The idea is to create an internal, Boston-based development group that can build products and launch them to market the same way that start-ups do. We want to do a whole bunch of products at the same time, put them together from scratch. We’ll take ideas and concepts from within the company and figure out how to move these products through the early stages of creating a new business. Evaluate them. Work on prototypes. We’re focused on the early stage, but with permission to ship.
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(spouse)x(spouse)+foocamp=D2R2?
The Geeks in Question: Jennifer Chayes & Christian Borgs
The job titles: Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of Microsoft Research, respectively. Also: spouses.
You guys are heading to Foo Camp later today, right? I hear that all attendees had to answer a few questions for their bios, including “Which Star Wars character are you?”
Jennifer: I said Luke Skywalker, because I’m always seeking.
Christian: And I said, “I’m D2R2!”
Jennifer: …It’s R2D2! Forgive him, he’s European.
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