Zeke's aha moment
Geek in question: Zeke Odins-Lucas
Job title: Principal software developer on Internet Explorer
How long have you been with Microsoft?
I started contracting in 1994, and was hired in 1996.
How’d you get here?
Well, that goes back to 1993. I was working at the gas station that’s on 148th and 51st, here in Redmond. I was managing that little hole, and I was miserable and commuted an hour and a half each way by bus from Seattle. At least I had a job, but yeesh.
Then one day at a friend’s piercing studio in Seattle, I met this guy — he was like 7 feet tall and 300 pounds and shaved head, had a big tusk piercing through his nose and was getting his nipples pierced that day. We started chatting and realized we both worked on the East Side. This guy was like me (23 at the time, and no college), and he says, “Yeah, I work out in Redmond, too. I work at Microsoft.”
And I was like, “Oh, that’s just like a few blocks away from me. What’s it like to work there? ” He said, “Just come on by and see…”
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Raymond says: Hi, yeah, that was me. I screwed up over here. Woo-hoo! Sorry!
The geek in question: Raymond Chen
The job title: Principal Software Design Engineer, and well-known Microsoft blogger.
What are you working on now?
I’ve been with Microsoft for 17 years, and I’m currently in the Windows Experience Group. We’re the people who do the stuff that end users see and interact with. Basically anything that goes wrong, it looks like we did it.
What have you learned during your time at Microsoft?
There are a couple of “key learnings” — and yes, I have to use air quotes around that phrase. First, you have to understand what you can do, what you can influence, and what you can only observe.
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Dan doesn't think you should have to chose Mac or PC. (Photo by MSFT employee Rob Vreeland of MurphyDogStudios.com)
The geek in question: Dan Wittmer
The job title: Senior Software Development Engineer, Macintosh Business Unit (Silicon Valley Campus)
How long have you been with the company?
My hire date was 2/25/2002, so it’s been almost seven years now entirely with MacBU. Prior to being hired, I interned twice with the Entourage team here in SVC. As a full time employee, I started on the Network library / MSN Client for the Mac, moved to Mac IE for the last patch, and subsequently moved Entourage, the email / PIM application that ships as part of Office for the Mac.
You’re an Apple dev working for Microsoft a few miles from Apple’s corporate headquarters in Cupertino. Why do you work for Microsoft instead of Apple? Continue reading →
Richard and Elaina Newman both work for Tellme, which is a Microsoft subsidiary. Bono does not work for Tellme.
The geeks in question: Elaina and Richard Newman, both of Tellme, A Microsoft Subsidiary
So, what are your jobs?
Elaina: User Experience Engineer.
Richard: Software Development Engineer II.
Elaina: …I have a II, too! I just didn’t say it.
What does Tellme do?
Elaina: When you call 411 from most phones nationwide, you’ll usually get us. If you call Microsoft customer care, that’s us.
Richard: We have an appreciable portion of all the phone calls in the US toward automated numbers — which is kind of scary.
Elaina: Well, it would be scary if we weren’t good at it.
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Despite the skates, Michael says he commutes via bike
It’s my final day of working from Microsoft’s South Lake Union office, and after drooling over the commute and familiarizing myself with the building and neighborhood, I figured it was time to ogle my coworkers who get to call 320 Westlake home base.
And so I give to you five mini-Microspotting profiles, with just a few hard-hitting investigative questions. If these tales of 5 minute walking commutes and lakeside lunches make you jealous, remember the South Lake Union office totally has open jobs!
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He’s a legend among Microsofties: the dude on the Segway wearing a glittering gold helmet. I’ve been stalking him for months, collecting sighting reports from breathless ‘Softies who’ve seen him at Target, seen him on 40th, seen him in elevators! And finally FINALLY, I tracked him down. Meet Stephan, aka The Golden Helmet.
A top speed of 12.5 mph!
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I’ve always wondered. And now the truth comes out!
Video: Israeli foodI grabbed this from Declan’s awesome blog all about International MSFT tech jobs:
So what do software engineers eat in Israel?
So for a bit of Friday fun check out Lisa, one of our SDEs in Israel, telling us a little about free food and in particular”diet” food that they all eat in the Haifa break room… :)
