Steve Yegge: Hero or Hack?
The vacuums and tubes of the internet are pumping overtime today to keep up with buzz regarding Steve Yegge's not so internal post to Google ranting about the companies lack of understanding about what makes a platform. He makes some salient points and compares the tech giant to another: Amazon. Steve paints an unflattering portrait of his former employer, Amazon and Bezos, but he admits even they understood the concept of "platform" and SOA. Something that Google just doesn't get, in his opinion. Many have been quick to defend Steve as a hero who spoke truth to power. His "reply all" moment (Steve claims his post on Google+ was intended for an internal Google audience, but he accidentally marked his post public) exposes Google to scathing criticism regarding their current products and strategy. He calls out many of the employees and managers for being clueless in how Facebook is eating its lunch. Oddly, Google has also come out smelling like a rose for not removing Steve's post (he himself has removed it, but allowed others to keep it up). A few however, have dismissed Steve as a hack whose rant not only slings mud at Google and Amazon, but Microsoft and Facebook as well. That he clearly stepped outside the normal channels of Google's command structure, which is rumored to be one of the most open for a company of its size, to make his claims. Also, that his written argument reads like the angry rambling of a man with one foot out the door. He maintains his commitment to the company, however, and claims the purest of motives. Either way you slice it, a fascinating read: http://bit.ly/nGsM5n. What do you think: Hero or Hack?
