Google buys office in Bellevue to make it easier to steal Microsoft Employees
- By: The Founder [privmsg - website] On 26th Aug 2006 In
Google's expansion plans in Bellevue have been shrouded in secrecy for more than a year. But it appears that Google is on the road to stealing Microsoft Employees by the truckload.
Quote:
Technology companies typically allot 300 square feet per employee -- meaning that Google could house more than 1,000 employees in Tower 333. "There's some speculation that 300,000 square feet may not be the true need today, but committing to that space sends a strong message to Microsoft," the real estate expert said.
- Y! MyWeb
Microsoft has become a dinosaur.
Google uses development teams with what, four people each? I noticed little posters around the 'plex a that said, "Want to learn more about Agile Development. Come to a meeting..." That's how Google rolls out frequent, small updates.
Nothing at Microsoft is agile. They do these huge releases that constantly get postponed. Last time I went to Redmond, they had a banner hanging in the foyer, "Ship or Die." Some of my friends went to work there, but within three years they all quit because of the pressure. I predict that Microsoft employees will be lining up at Google's office for jobs.
Finally something is going to happen with that big hole...
I used to walk by it on my way to work. It has been sitting as a big hole for the last 2 years.
No surprise google wants something up in seattle and I don't think it is just for microsoft. Plenty of other tech companies have sprung up out here thanks to microsoft millionaires looking to spend their free time running companies.
Another article about Google's office near Microsoft
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Houston
Now I wish stuff would move to Houston. After Compaq went defunct there's virtually no tech industry here at all. No industry means no one looking for programmers, so its always this uneasy dynamic between employers+employees... sure you can fire me, but you'll have serious problems replacing me; no you won't get that raise or even a salary, as your job prospects are awfully limited. And the employers always tend to underestimate the value of a truly valueable person.
Colocation is $250 / mo for 30 GB of bandwidth on a 10 mbit line. That's how depressed the market is. 17 e-commerce job listings compared to dallas' 75.