Microsoft or Google?

Undecided asks: "I will be graduating next April, and I have been fortunate enough to receive job offers from both Microsoft and Google. This has left me with a bit of a conundrum, however — I'm having real difficulty deciding which offer to accept. Putting aside compensation and other personal circumstances that will factor into my decision, what is the Slashdot community's take on this? Am I crazy not to go with Google? I am especially interested in the insight of others working in the computer science industry, in particular those who may have experienced what it's like to work at both companies."

sony?

[zebs]

Guess Cliff thinks Sony is the answer?

brands.

[sTeF]

besides the question, i really digg the logo associated with this story.

Alternatives

[digitalhermit]

There's a small company called SCO that you may be interested in. They used to make a Linux workalike called SCO OpenServer. It's almost the same as working at Microsoft, except without the gyms and free coffee.

Re:Seattle Rain

[mrmittens]

Sounds like quite an easy place to transition yourself to from good old blighty (England would be the US translation!) :o)

Re:Advice from a professor...

[Dysantic]

But at Microsoft you can at least go hiking or something on the weekends.

Well, THAT explains it! No wonder Microsoft's code is so buggy; their staff are always going out hiking or "something" on the weekends!

You're kidding

[illuminatedwax]

You've already made up your mind by asking Slashdot in the first place. Obviously, you have some kind of wish to work with Google and not Microsoft. Similar questions include "should I get a job lobbying for the EFF or the RIAA?" and "should I invest in SCO or Red Hat?"

Re:Come on....

[Daniel Boisvert]

The scary part is how he figures out your real name...
 
Any more info on that? I've always wondered how people on slashdot figured out my real name.

verb conjugation and pirates

[drakaan]

This is decidedly off-topic, but I had to try three times before I managed to get past "Microsoft were a..." and "Google have constantly...", etc.

As it's not talk like a pirate day, I am left with two possible explanations:

• You dislike or have trouble with conjugating verbs
• You *are* a pirate (imagining that made it possible to finish reading your post)

I'm hoping you be a pirate, mainly because I be lookin fer some software on the cheap...err, I mean booty, ARRRRR!!!

What is your job?

[russ1337]

You didnt say what your work area will be:

If you are a janitor, then pick the one with the least floor area.
If you are a security guard, Google is probably safer from disgruntled customers or workers going postal.
If you are a window cleaner, go with Google. I hear the chicks are hotter.
If you are a chef, go with Google, cos their food sounds pretty good.
If you are a maintenance tech, go with MSFT - rigid corporates are less likley to ride their scooters into the wall.
If you are a russian spy, work for MSFT. They are evil.
If you are an X-ray technician, WTF are you doing in IT....

Re:Location, Location, Location

[vasqzr]

As Marilyn Monroe once said, "A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night."

You've obviously never slept on the floor in a server room.

Re:Seattle Rain

[Joe Snipe]

Idoit! Don't tell them that! What are you going for, the first slashdotted city?

Everything he said is a lie. It's a miserable place with lots of rain and overcast days. Seasonal depression sets in hard and fast. It takes all my willpower not to spend my time painting my nails black while listening to The Cure.

Re:Advice from a professor...

[Anonymous Coward]

You want Seattle? You got it...

http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/static.py?p age=why-wa-ki.html [google.com]

Re:False

[AnswerIs42]

Umm.. I like where I work but I do NOT put in anymore work than what I am paid for. Putting in 4,5+ extra hours a week because it is "fun" does not put any more food on the table and keeps you away from family longer.

Manager: You really like working here?
Peon: Yep, this is a fun job!
Manager: Great to hear! By the way.. there would even be more fun if you stayed 2-3 hours more each day.
Peon: Great! Do I get paid for that?
Manager: Err.. no. But it will be fun though, I promise!
Peon: Ok!

Re:Seattle Rain

[thefoobar]

Damn! I fell for it! Now the whole city is doomed!

Yeah... bad city. Lots of rain. Move away. Earthquakes. Weak beer.

Shush, you fool!

[Blakey Rat]

Isn't the 20% growth rate we already have enough for you? You want MORE Californians coming up here and clogging up our freeways?

*ahem* Yes you are right the weather is terrible and all the people here are really rude and there are not any hot chicks! PLEASE STAY IN CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS!

Re:verb conjugation and pirates

[Morphine007]

Not everyone here speaks US English.

... so Pirate English it is then... ;-)

Re:Advice from a professor...

[NekoXP]

Depends if he got offered a job at that Google, doesn't it?

Still, location is still key. If it's the same location, well... why not Google? It will look cooler on your resume

If you get sick of it you can always move to Microsoft. I hear the other way around gets you sued :D

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+sues+over+Google+hir e/2100-1014_3-5795051.html [com.com]

Re:Seattle Rain

[LibertineR]

Damn.

I want to read the rest of the thread, but now I am transfixed on the idea of floating on a cloud of soft, soft boobies.

There went my productivity for the day......

My 2 cents

[zoomshorts]

Unless you are an ACE programmer,
with several outstanding programs
already in the wild, Open Source
or otherwise, I would go with
Microsoft.

Google is looking for talent and
they seem to have plenty. It would
be more difficult to stand out in
their environment. Microsoft has
some talented programmers, do not
get me wrong, BUT Microsoft SEEMS
not to really care about product
quality.

Just my 2 cents worth. No I do NOT
program, unless you consider IBM 360
assembler, programming. I do not.

Wrong 2 seasons

[jagspecx]

In Portland we call the two seasons

1) Winter

and

2) Construction

Re:What is your job?

[supersat]

If you are a maintenance tech, go with MSFT - rigid corporates are less likley to ride their scooters into the wall.

Ah, but they're much more likely to throw chairs around. ;)

Re:Advice from a professor...

[Flyskippy1]

The kirkland office is really just for stealing Microsofties.

Re:sony?

[Anonymous Coward]

Bzzt! If you have to ask, you're too stupid to work for Google.

LOL

[Arathon]

I appreciate the question, and having lived in Brazil for two years, I can say without reservation that Brazilians are much nicer, friendlier, and more beautiful than Italian$. Italian$ just like to work overtime, have a nasty corporate culture, and are always trying to take over the world.