Open-source guru Ruby leaving IBM for Microsoft

It's increasingly common for prominent open-source developers to leave IBM or other open-source-friendly companies to try their luck at Microsoft. It's not common at all for them to blog about it before actually getting a formal offer.

Sam Ruby

(Credit: ETech)

Yet that is what Sam Ruby, prominent Apache Software Foundation director and Atom developer, has done on his blog. Ruby was hired by IBM directly from Christopher Newport University in 1981 and has never left.

Until now. Or, rather, in about two weeks from now. Ruby writes:

I expect to receive a credible offer from Microsoft in the next two weeks. I, in no way, initiated the conversation, nor am I an any way unhappy with IBM.

We've discussed a number of possible roles, most of them focusing on open Web activities, either advocating their increased and correct use within Microsoft, and/or engaging in open Web communities on Microsoft's behalf.

Whatever the open-source development community's opinion of Microsoft, I've talked with other open-source "expats" that have ended up in Redmond, such as Tom Hanrahan, also formerly of IBM and the Linux Foundation, and Microsoft has provided interesting, engaging work for them. I'm sure that Sam's case will be no different.

But why post about the job before receiving a formal offer? Ruby notes that he is "very comfortable in (his) current job, so the most (he is) placing in jeopardy by posting (his interest in working for Microsoft) is the opportunity costs of a better job."

In many ways, Ruby's transparency is a great way for him to prepare his open-source compatriots for what might superficially appear to be an abandonment of his ideals. IBM might prefer that he not talk openly about it, but considering Ruby's stature in the open-source community, this is probably the best way to announce his imminent departure for Microsoft.

It's also a good advertisement for the changes Microsoft is making as it grows increasingly open to open source. Ruby reminds his blog readers that when he joined IBM in 1981, Big Blue, not Microsoft, was the "evil empire."

Times change. So do companies. And maybe, just maybe, Ruby will be one of the key individuals to help shape a new era at Microsoft.

Follow me on Twitter at mjasay.

[Maccess]

Do you think you can convince them to reduce the number of variants of Windows 7? That should help Windows become the preferred platform for open source software (outside of operating systems).

[Mr. Dee]

Do you think you could tell the Linux folks to cut down the 300 distributiions to 1? That should help Linux get some credibility.

[pentest]

Dee, you obviously don't understand that each distro fits a different need, usually a completely different need.<br /><br />MS tries to be all things to all people and fails.

[eadeguzman]

pentest - the same can be said about Windows. Each "variant" is geared to a different need.<br /><br />MS tries to be all things to all people and fails? I guess that's why they're the world's largest software company -- because they fail?<br /><br />But anyway, that's what personal computers or general purpose computers are supposed to be (Linux or Windows) -- all things to all (most) people... otherwise it's not a pc (maybe an HD player, or an ATM console -- these devices run Windows or Linux but I don't think these are the distros you're talking about).<br /><br />Let's face it: different Linux distros compete with each other. How many people do you know that has this particular distro for internet browsing and word processing, then another as game machine, then another as.... My guess is only a few (if any).

[Commander_Spock]

Ha, Ha! <br /><br />Considering all of the the above....<br /><br />Re: "pentest - the same can be said about Windows. Each "variant" is geared to a different need.<br /><br />MS tries to be all things to all people and fails? I guess that's why they're the world's largest software company -- because they fail?<br /><br />But anyway, that's what personal computers or general purpose computers are supposed to be (Linux or Windows) -- all things to all (most) people... otherwise it's not a pc (maybe an HD player, or an ATM console -- these devices run Windows or Linux but I don't think these are the distros you're talking about).<br /><br />Let's face it: different Linux distros compete with each other. How many people do you know that has this particular distro for internet browsing and word processing, then another as game machine, then another as.... My guess is only a few (if any)...."<br /><br />Now, add up all of the Windows (Code-Base OS/2) Variants plus all of the 10,001 Tuxedo Clad Birds (Linux Distros) plus all the bailout cash that is being thrown at the banks and the entire world still cannot get the economy right! On top of all of this... try finding out from NASA how American Astronauts will get to Space without the OS/2 Powered Russian Rocket Launchers.<br /><br />Long Live OS/2 (now eComStation). Now, how many versions of OS/2 there are in the world!!!<br /><br />Can ya all imagine the confusion that will take place in the world; particularly on the Redmond Campus ( home of Windows) and the nests of Tuxedo Clad Birds (Linux Distros) if the 800lb Gorilla that is OS/2 breaks free!!! - Wow!

[pentest]

No it isn't.<br /><br />They are the same except some are more bloated than others.<br /><br />Comparing 2 versions of Vista is not at all the same as comparing centos with opensuse with damn small linux.

[pentest]

You are mistaking profit with quality.<br /><br />Windows OS's are at the back of the pack quality-wise.<br /><br />If they didn't trap ignorant people into their upgrade treadmill they wouldn't make dime one.<br /><br />Their "success" has nothing to do with any alleged quality or value of their products.

[tgrenier]

Is there another company that has been very successful with no quality in their product?

[SimpleLance]

Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, Mint (another buntu; even these Mints have XF, KDE, GNOME varieties). Just to name a few of almost identical distros. What's the point?<br /><br />Majority of the Linux distros actually have terrible quality. Just look at the ones that are no longer maintained. There a few with the backing of some established companies that are usable.<br /><br />Linux distros are given away for free, with very little takers, even in the tech community, let alone the non-tech home users.

[w_bee]

&gt;&gt;SimpleLance: Linux distros are given away for free, with very little takers, even in the tech community, let alone the non-tech home users.&lt;&lt;<br /><br />At work, we run all our CAD software on Linux servers.<br />Most of the major tech companies, IBM, HP and Intel, use Linux/Unix as technical design platform.<br />You can find out easily from CAD companies, like Synopsys, Cadence, what platforms they support.

[SimpleLance]

w_bee,<br /><br />Your and your company uses Linux. You happen to be the very small minority.<br /><br />IBM uses Linux. Again, only a very small minority at IBM. I worked for IBM for 5 years. In my group, you won't find Linux in the desktop. Windows is the majority platform in use at IBM.<br /><br />Linux does not even have the board appeal of OSX (another non-free OS). So, yeah, Linux is free, and yet with very few, really few takers. That alone says something about that OS.<br /><br />For 15 years now, I have been hearing about how Linux will take over. That has never happened. In contrast, Windows Server (not the Windows client) had zero (0) market share 9 years ago (before the release of Win 2000 Server). Today, Windows Server has more than 70% of the server market share. It actually stole market share from all Unix variants, including the free Linux.

[eltoro2827]

what he said.

[pentest]

Nothing is going to change until the people at the top who caused the corrosive attitude and accepts mediocrity are gone.<br /><br />Give him 6 months at one of the more repressive corporations and he will be begging anyone else to hire him.

[Matt Asay]

But I think it *is* doing that. Ray Ozzie is very different from Steve Ballmer. Slowly, Microsoft's DNA is changing.

[eadeguzman]

repressive corporations? though talk. no substance. just chill.

[viper396]

@pentest you've obviously have never met anyone who has worked for IBM. <br /> <br />"corrosive attitude and accepts mediocrity "....take a look in the mirror when you say that.

[pentest]

MS is repressive, just go on their campus, talk to their employees. It is a very repressive environment.<br /><br />People at MS who are actually decent such as Ray Ozzie and Michael Howard seem to get ignored too much.<br /><br />The culture is too repressive for a small handful of people to make a difference

[CTO_Dude]

Pentest... you dont have a clue. Microsoft is consistently voted amongst the best places to work in the WORLD. Here's a recent one: <br /> <br />http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?id=31425

[YankeePoodle]

Microsoft is making the right moves and certainly the out-reach to open-source advocates at least in terms of hiring them has been a practice they have started some time in 2004, if you are following closely you would know the ones who are hired did make difference and I expect Sam Ruby best of luck in his new endeavor.

[Papa Chango]

So another guy is going to Microsoft to 'change them by the inside".<br />Just like Bill Milf, Rajmi and the rest, its about the perception of change... window dressing so we can say "they like us, they really, really like us".<br /><br />Youre right about Ray Ozzie being different from Steve Ballmer. <br />Steve is the boss, what he says goes. Ozzie mght have Gates old title but dont confuse who runs the show.<br /><br />And that's what counts: what the boss says. Whether it is the president, the head of Apple or Microsoft or of GM, you base yourself on what they say, not some lowel level pencil pusher.<br />But if you want to convince us that Ballmer has changed his tone since the Novell extortion deal, feel free to show us.<br />You might need some time to find it, so we wont rush you. You might want to look for Hoffa and some unicorns while you are at it too.<br /><br />The attacks against free software havent stopped in the past 2 years and as a Red Hat user I still owe Microsoft money apparently because Red Hat is using stolen IP from them.<br />Has that changed?<br />Again, feel free to find me a quote from the CEO of Microsoft which highlights this change you are talking about..<br /><br />Having read those internal memos from the recent court cases, there is enough proof that Redmond is underhanded and sneaky as we always suspected them to be except we have those in court accredited documents and not just hearsay. Throw that in with the the fact that nothing the head of the company has said even hints at a change (not to mention the gems taht come out when Horatio opens his mouth) and all you have is wishful thinking based on cheap manipulation and the few sheckels they gave out for some conferences.<br /><br />Or should be believe now that the CEOs of companies dont mean that much and that we should disregard them? Remember, all those 'fighting from the inside' can be fired at the drop of a hat when they are of no PR use anymore.<br /><br />A question to ask Ruby would have been: "Does Linux have Microsoft IP, yes or no?" but then I realized, Ruby is one of those 'open sauce' guys they like. <br />Its those filthy communists that push the GPL they dont like.<br />And as we have seen with open saucers, they will sell out the others quicker that you can blink once.<br />I have trust that you would blink at least twice before selling out the filthy thieving commies.

[Daniel_Tunkelang]

I'm a strong believer in transparency, but I draw the line at telegraphing the possibility of an offer from another company. That's a bit too much like being in a relationship but publicizing that someone you find attractive might ask you out. If Ruby wants to go to Microsoft, all power to him--I don't share some of the Microsoft hatred of earlier commenters. But it seems to me that he should have made his decision before posting about it, if only out of respect for his current employer. Perhaps I'm just old-fashioned.