I started in MCS back in 2000 and worked primarily on database type-projects and also got started doing mobility applications. Since then I've moved around a bit and am now doing developer and platform marketing in the US.
btw, that bucket got stuck on my head way before I joined MS 
Discussions
Mark Brown
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Rationalizing and desensitizing has always helped me.
I used to get spooked by turbulence. To deal with it I took flying lessons. If you think the turbulence in a jet is nerve-wracking, try it in a small Cessna or Piper!!! Those planes get tossed around like a rodent in a washing machine
Knowing those little
planes can handle that much turbulence made it easier to handle the small bumps you'll experience on a jumbo-jet. I'm not suggesting you have to do what I did, but I used to fly a bunch and given the amount of time I spent in the air it was worth it. Just
know that the amount of stress those planes can handle is immensely helpful.
Your biggest problem will be jet lag. So I recommend trying to set your circadium clock while on the plane (or before you leave) to adjust slightly for the 8 hour difference. Regrettably you'll be chasing the sun the entire trip so it will seem like a really long day unless you take a red-eye. Just try your best. I've done numerous long trips without good preparation and spent the next day (or two) useless in customer meetings the next day. A tough spot to be in when you're the center of attention.
Best of luck and enjoy your trip to LA. -
JohnAskew wrote:
"Even a blind hog will find a nut now and again..."
Actually, that is:
"Even a blind squirrel will find a nut now and again"
Hogs don't go looking for nuts
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C9's An_Angel wasn't recruited by Microsoft ... what have they missed out on?
Mar 03, 2006 at 1:07 PMblatzcoder wrote:Tip: go work for a competitor. Then, eventually, given time, Micro$oft will probably try to pick you off. The role is not as demanding as it looks. It's a racket, plain and simple, although they'll tell you otherwise.
As someone who wrote software for nearly 15 years before moving into the business/marketing side of things I can attest with absolute authority that being an evangelist or doing marketing is NOT "easy work". -
lars wrote:But next time, get better actors.
Really? I thought it would be fun to have real developers (in fact, security experts) play the principal roles instread of actors, but if developers think that stinks then I'm not sure what to think.
btw, if anyone is curious feel free to Google these guys to find out who they are and what they do. They are definitely NOT actors.
- Caleb Sima
- Duane LaFlotte
- Joel Scambray
- Rick Samona
- Frank Swiderski
- Keith Brown
- John Viega
- Joe Stagner
Edit: In fact it appears as though three of our cast have appeared here before on Channel 9.
Frank Swiderski on Threat Modeling
Duane La Flotte on the Crypto API (or CRAPI as I jokingly call it) Actually I love this API.
And finally John Viega, via cite by Charles for co-authoring the 19 Deadly Sins of Software Security. -
irascian wrote:I hate to be the "curmudgeon in residence" around these parts, but I have to ask what on earth Microsoft is thinking with the latest edition of "The Code Room".
In fact, it IS supposed to be entertaining. You among a laudable but small group of developers who are confident writing secure code. An overwhelming majority of developers are in fact not confident in this regard.
This show is an attempt to present these topics in a way that is fun to watch and point them to resources which can help them learn more about writing more secure code which I think we can all agree is a good thing. -
Maurits wrote:That code is absolutely injection-proof.
That code looks pretty vulnerable to me.
I don't see buffer size checking and no input validation to prevent a "and 1=1" scenario.
Use an ADO parameter and a stored proc everytime you pass user provided input to a SQL query.
While you're at it get yourself a copy of the Microsoft Developer Security Resource Kit DVD. http://msdn.microsoft.com/security/securityreskit/default.aspx
Enjoy. -
I've been around the company for almost 6 years and while I've never been a PM I did pick up a few tricks that translate no matter what your role here.
1. The Distribution Lists (DL's) are a great resource but be sure to use Inbox rules.
2. If you find yourself scheduling or attending meetings to prepare for another meeting ask yourself (and others) why.
3. Microsoft is a self-service company with a website for everything. Be sure to ask for your co-workers favorites and keep them handy.
4. Never spend five minutes writing an email when a 20 second phone call will do.
5. Always assume the person you're trying to get time from is slammed with work. Be respectful of their time.
6. Spend time understanding what others in your group, org, division and company are doing. You will save yourself time and money.
7. Working until you drop is the surest way to burnout. It's easy to fall into this mode here. Work Smart, not just hard. Work/Life balance is not just fluffy HR speak. It's real and the company believes in it.
8. Get yourself a mentor, then go find yourself a couple more. This company is massive and the people here can give you valuable insights that will save you time, money and your sanity. Over time work to network outside of your immediate organization. The most valuable mentoring comes from those who are in completely different parts of the company. It can also open doors you never knew existed.
9. Microsoft is a very competitive place. Spend considerable time managing your career. Use Tip #8 to help you in this regard.
10. The most successful people here are experts at managing their time and themselves. This comes from discipline, planning and knowing the right time to make decisions. You can read all the technical books you want, but for my money personal time management and other soft skills that you learn from management books and elsewhere can be just as big a part in your success than anything else.
Finally I'll say that you'll get an opportunity to learn more good tips during MS 101. A two day orientation on life at Microsoft. In addition you may also have to take PM specific orientation as well to learn how to use the tools you'll need to do your job.
Congrats and welcome. Hope I gave you a few good tips for you to use.
EDIT: Do not feel compelled to start or maintain a blog. Blog's are time consuming and in the face of the massive amount of time you will be spending to learn your new job a blog is not a requirement. -
ScanIAm wrote:
mVPstar wrote: No, the team with the story won because the message was "clear" (yes, the executive did in fact emphasize that word). The other team's video was just words basically, something I think MS is trying to get away from in terms of marketting.
Probably for the same reason that McDonalds cash registers have pictures of the food instead of numbers and words....
In fact most marketing people will tell you that pictures are far more powerful than words. Consider the ad that we did run instead of the Apprentice's winner: No actor dialog to tell the story and no text. Just images and an easy voice over to convey the value prop. It's a simple yet effective formula. -
Man I really feel sorry for that guy. I don't think I could live in a house that was that packed with boxes.
Best of luck to him.
