Another Microsoft Exec Joins Google

SirClicksalot writes "CNN is reporting that Vic Gundotra, a 15-year veteran general manager at Microsoft, has left the company to join Google. Gundotra worked at Microsoft as general manager for platform evangelism to get software developers to use Microsoft's software and online offerings. The function he will perform at Google is not yet known, but he will need to wait one year before starting his new job because of a non-compete clause in his contract."

Re:Was that...

[bcat24]

Er, was that the sound of a chair being thrown?

[Note to self: the preview button is your friend.]

What a visionary point of view

[KarMax]

"We are uncertain what precise role he will play when he begins working for Google, but he has a broad range of skills and experience which we believe will be valuable to Google,"

This catch my attention, i dont see too many companies with that insightfull and visionary view. (IMO it's amazing).


The link seems down here is the CC Mirror [nyud.net]. I can grab directly from the front page (I use Slashdotter, the firefox extension).

Re:Non-compete? Ugh.

[enclaved]

Google does not make operating systems or desktop software, they are a freakin' search company, and MS is not a search company. Yet MS identifies them as a competitor, just like they identify every company in existence as their competitor.

Google Desktop [google.com]

Windows Live Search [live.com]

I could probably go on and on about the products both companies make that directly compete with one another. MSN messenger Gtalk Hotmail Gmail etc etc.

Its "don't be evil"

[ems2]

The correct phrase is don't be evil. Check Google's site yourself [google.com]. It is surprising how many people can get a simple phrase like this incorrect.

Re:1 year non-comp??

[Skreems]

Typically they only state that you can't work in the exact same space you left. So if you were writing code for web browsers, you couldn't go work for Mozilla. You can still go work in another area of computers, though, and it shouldn't be hard to find one you're qualified for. It seems like Google and this exec are just being overly cautious this time around.

Re:non-compete?

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, but they are enforcable in Washington; if the ex-MS employee signed his contract in Redmond...

I believe Google pulled the Cali stunt on ex-MS employee Kai-Fu Lee (ie: "no-competes don't apply in Cali, you can work for us") and got slapped [66.225.202.210].