Microsoft Fires Mac Fan For Blog Photo - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

meff · 10-29-2003, 07:15 AM

From /. :

Quote:

"Microsoft has fired a full-time temp employee after it discovered that the employee posted in his blog a photo and story concerning Microsoft's purchase of what looks to be around 18 G5s.

http://www.michaelhanscom.com/eclect...icrosoft_.html

Quote:

"Microsoft fired the blogger, despite an offer to take the posting down. Note that this is not a free speech issue, even though the blog was hosted on a non-company server, because Microsoft is not, yet, the government. But it does present several other interesting issues, including that of the trade-off between the bad publicity that comes from the firing and whatever bad results follow when employees feel free to post such things."

Imagine getting fired for something YOU posted in your personal journal.. Isn't this a bit below the belt, so-to-say?

Should doing stuff like this have legal consequences? I sure hope they do.

Your thoughts, please..

Edit: More info..

http://www.michaelhanscom.com/eclect...gging_and.html

Quote:

"Okay, here's the first question. Is this page," and here he turned his monitor towards me, letting me see my "Even Microsoft wants G5s" post from last Thursday, "hosted on any Microsoft computer? Or is it on your own?"

"It's on mine. Well, it's on a hosted site that I pay for, but no, it's not on anything of Microsoft's."

"Good. That means that as it's your site on your own server, you have the right to say anything you want. Unfortunately, Microsoft has the right to decide that because of what you said, you're no longer welcome on the Microsoft campus."

Damn!

sipsake · 10-29-2003, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by meff
Imagine getting fired for something YOU posted in your personal journal.. Isn't this a bit below the belt, so-to-say?

Should doing stuff like this have legal consequences? I sure hope they do.

While I agree that it was a petty thing for Microsoft to do, a blog isn't the same as a personal diary. It's public.

Kind of naive on the bloggers part to think that a notoriously protective company like Microsoft wouldn't fire him for posting the photo.

shalafi · 10-29-2003, 07:59 AM

While i don't necessarily agree with microsofts decision i do think they should have that right. If i ever have my own business i deffinitely don't want the government or anyone else trying to tell me when i can and can't get rid of an employee for whatever reason i want. If employees are able to terminate the relationship on a whim the employers should have the same right.

merkerguitars · 10-29-2003, 08:21 AM

I bet microsoft uses some linux servers

Man they are acting childish....If it was a computer company buying macs it would be more funny....but come on microsoft makes programs for macs.....it's not a totally suprising situation, or they needed computers that can suceed from where they failed.......unless they used the computer for some sort of stealing features secret plan. Then that would be a breach of security.

rubicon · 10-29-2003, 08:27 AM

The issue is about confidentiality. While you and I might not think Microsoft's purchase of Mac G5s for development of Mac software is a big deal, they might be highly sensitive to this issue.

clonmult · 10-29-2003, 09:46 AM

The problem is the breach of security - its generally a no-no to take pictures of your workplace and send it out to the world.

He'd probably signed NDAs, so Microsoft were totally within their rights.

Some of the comments on the Slashdot forum mention about Microsoft having Linux and Macs around the place - the Macs are there for development purposes; heck, they do develop Mac versions of Office and IE. Its no big secret.

So, all in all, nothing of any major consequence. he was stupid, and got sacked for his stupidity.

thlayli · 10-29-2003, 11:12 AM

The guy also told what business units were in which buildings. It sucks, but if the guy would have just posted the pics, without the description, he'd prolly still have a job.

Jervis · 10-29-2003, 11:51 AM

I don't understand why its such a surprise that Microsoft orders Macs? I'm almost certain they develop some programs for the Mac anyway. I guess they'd also have them for testing etc. sort of to survery the enemy's progress.

Also, why does it matter if he says what buildings the units go to? It is really that top secret on the "Microsoft Campus"?

The_Dude · 10-29-2003, 12:23 PM

this is extremely lame of MS to do this. maybe apple picks him up.

propaganda · 10-29-2003, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Dude
this is extremely lame of MS to do this. maybe apple picks him up.

i hope apple picks him up that would be damn funny but he'd probably show apple buying microsoft pcs though... :/

propaganda · 10-29-2003, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Dude
this is extremely lame of MS to do this. maybe apple picks him up.

i hope apple picks him up that would be damn funny but he'd probably show apple buying microsoft pcs though... :/

Ripsaw · 10-29-2003, 12:44 PM

This is one of the reasons I discontinued blogging. I was uncomfortable with revealing certain bits of information. This isn't to say that i'm invisible on the web, but the names, places and references that I had revealed were private things made public. I support Microsoft in their decision, and hope that this person starts to think about how he affects everything around him through thought, word, and deed.

crazymang · 10-29-2003, 03:54 PM

its one thing to post a pic, its another thing to say that where he works and how many there were and where he worked etc...

im SURE he signed a non disclosure agreement when he was hired.

juanvaldes · 10-29-2003, 09:58 PM

This is a non-story.

First MS MAKES software for the Mac. Also I would say with 100% certainty that other groups are scoping out the competition. There is a reason why they have a group that examines linux.

Second he broke his contract. Virtually every company (especially tech co's) have strict rules about not taking pictures or any recording device from work to home. Industrial esponige anyone?

As for anyone picking this guy up, he's a TEMP in MSPrint (I think that was the building to lazy to look)

Non issue, MS is justified (unless there is more to the story).

arch13 · 10-29-2003, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by juanvaldes
Non issue, MS is justified (unless there is more to the story).

Exactly.
As an employie of a company, you are accountable for anything you do that may expose that company to liability.
Yes, even on a weekend or in your own home.
That's the tradeoff for working for more than just an hourly wage.

10-29-2003, 08:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	I bet microsoft uses some linux servers Man they are acting childish....If it was a computer company buying macs it would be more funny....but come on microsoft makes programs for macs.....it's not a totally suprising situation, or they needed computers that can suceed from where they failed.......unless they used the computer for some sort of stealing features secret plan. Then that would be a breach of security. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

10-29-2003, 08:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	The issue is about confidentiality. While you and I might not think Microsoft's purchase of Mac G5s for development of Mac software is a big deal, they might be highly sensitive to this issue. __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.

10-29-2003, 12:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	this is extremely lame of MS to do this. maybe apple picks him up. __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

10-29-2003, 12:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	This is one of the reasons I discontinued blogging. I was uncomfortable with revealing certain bits of information. This isn't to say that i'm invisible on the web, but the names, places and references that I had revealed were private things made public. I support Microsoft in their decision, and hope that this person starts to think about how he affects everything around him through thought, word, and deed. __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

10-29-2003, 07:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
shalafi ARRRRRRRRRR Location: Stuart, Florida	While i don't necessarily agree with microsofts decision i do think they should have that right. If i ever have my own business i deffinitely don't want the government or anyone else trying to tell me when i can and can't get rid of an employee for whatever reason i want. If employees are able to terminate the relationship on a whim the employers should have the same right.

10-29-2003, 09:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
clonmult Crazy Location: Wherever I lay my hind quarters	The problem is the breach of security - its generally a no-no to take pictures of your workplace and send it out to the world. He'd probably signed NDAs, so Microsoft were totally within their rights. Some of the comments on the Slashdot forum mention about Microsoft having Linux and Macs around the place - the Macs are there for development purposes; heck, they do develop Mac versions of Office and IE. Its no big secret. So, all in all, nothing of any major consequence. he was stupid, and got sacked for his stupidity.

10-29-2003, 11:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
thlayli Upright	The guy also told what business units were in which buildings. It sucks, but if the guy would have just posted the pics, without the description, he'd prolly still have a job.

10-29-2003, 11:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jervis Tilted	I don't understand why its such a surprise that Microsoft orders Macs? I'm almost certain they develop some programs for the Mac anyway. I guess they'd also have them for testing etc. sort of to survery the enemy's progress. Also, why does it matter if he says what buildings the units go to? It is really that top secret on the "Microsoft Campus"?

10-29-2003, 03:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
crazymang Upright	its one thing to post a pic, its another thing to say that where he works and how many there were and where he worked etc... im SURE he signed a non disclosure agreement when he was hired.

10-29-2003, 09:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
juanvaldes Banned Location: shittown, CA	This is a non-story. First MS MAKES software for the Mac. Also I would say with 100% certainty that other groups are scoping out the competition. There is a reason why they have a group that examines linux. Second he broke his contract. Virtually every company (especially tech co's) have strict rules about not taking pictures or any recording device from work to home. Industrial esponige anyone? As for anyone picking this guy up, he's a TEMP in MSPrint (I think that was the building to lazy to look) Non issue, MS is justified (unless there is more to the story).