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Thank you, GitHub

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Re: Thank you, GitHub

#111
post #17

Is this a sign of the continued progression of GitHub to be further molded in Microsoft's image? Usually there's a churn in leadership when the alignment isn't there anymore, though it's typically accompanied by graceful public communication.

He had to stay on until he was free to leave under the microsoft acquisition contract. 2 years sound about right.

That's not what happened here.

Nat founded Xamarin which was acquired by Microsoft in 2016. Github was acquired in 2018 and Nat was already an Microsoft employee at time.

So Nat departing now is actually 5 years post the Xamarin acquisition (when he joined Microsoft).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/natfriedman/

EDIT: what's also interesting is that Thomas Dohmke joined Microsoft in 2015, moved to the Github division around the time of the acquisition (2018) but only became CPO 4 months ago.

Re: Thank you, GitHub

#113

If person's legacy is a list of all the good things (or bad things) they've done during their time, Nat's legacy as the CEO of GitHub can also be summed into a list. Let me get started...I only remember this one thing but other users of HN can help add more I supposed: - That one time when Nat spoke against DMCA law and said taking down youtube-dl was wrong and he actively pushed for their reinstatement. [1] [1] http…

That youtube-dl moment was a really defining moment for me, particularly as a heavy user of youtube-dl and having contributed a PR here or there.

GitHub handled the situation really well, both in terms of the course of action it took, as well as setting up new procedures and a legal fund to prevent future incidents like this. Along with the EFF, they have actively promoted the right of developers (and FOSS) to tinker.

I think people don't realise how impactful youtube-dl going the wrong way could be.

Re: Thank you, GitHub

#114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually thought OP's take was very pertinent to the situation. ...which was riddled with phrases like: "With all that we’ve accomplished in mind, and more than five great years at Microsoft under my belt, I’ve decided it’s time for me to go back to my startup roots. What drives me is enabling builders to create the future. Not even Clark Kent could be this braggadocios.

Sorry, what’s bad about that?

Reading up higher will inform you of context, but to reiterate:

OP: "Look the guy probably had some success and met some great people. So why in the hell can't you say that in your own words?"

My comment: "Not even Clark Kent could be this braggadocios."

There are better way of expressing one's (dis)satisfaction in the workplace. Starting with, perhaps, whittling down one's pride in accomplishing what tens of thousands already have...

Re: Thank you, GitHub

#115
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obnoxious comment and perfect example of how toxic this place has become.

Are you kidding? Even the title is intentionally uninformative clickbait.

I agree. I clicked on this expecting something more interesting than some corporate executive's resignation letter.

Re: Thank you, GitHub

#116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is one particular corporate leader who speaks their mind and has made a tremendous impact on the world. So, it's not clear if it has anything to do with polished big-corp language. I'd rather listen to someone who is straightforward than Sundar Pichai speaking entirely in corporate-speak while saying absolutely nothing of value or substance. Completely uninspiring. All corporate speak is rather an invention of…

Who is that?

Elon

Edit: lol, this will be the most downvotes on a char count basis I've ever received. I thought it was generally accepted that for better or worse, he does not mince words.

Re: Thank you, GitHub

#117
post #79

Is this a sign of the continued progression of GitHub to be further molded in Microsoft's image? Usually there's a churn in leadership when the alignment isn't there anymore, though it's typically accompanied by graceful public communication.

Embrace, extend, extinguish still alive at MS it seems. E: Pointing out proven, explicitly-defined-in-internal-emails tactics used by Microsoft always seems to get downvoted on HN. Why? Would someone like to start a conversation?

I'm with you, but this is not the topic.

Re: Thank you, GitHub

#119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you kidding? Even the title is intentionally uninformative clickbait.

How so? My first thought when reading the title and seeing it was a GitHub blog was that someone was probably leaving the company. Do you expect someone leaving their company to title their goodbye blog post like "John Doe leaving GitHub"?

My first thought was "GitHub has some underappreciated feature or functionality that saved somebody's ass at their job, and this is their write-up".

Re: Thank you, GitHub

#120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry, what’s bad about that?

Reading up higher will inform you of context, but to reiterate: OP: "Look the guy probably had some success and met some great people. So why in the hell can't you say that in your own words?" My comment: "Not even Clark Kent could be this braggadocios." There are better way of expressing one's (dis)satisfaction in the workplace. Starting with, perhaps, whittling down one's pride in accomplishing what tens of thousan…

When a leader lists each of these accomplishments, it’s less “See what I did” and more “To the team that did this: I see you, I recognize your contribution”.

I think all these comments are incredibly childish. It’s a nice goodbye letter from their well known and visible leader.

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