This post originated from an RSS feed registered with .NET Buzz by Randy Holloway. Original Post: Silencing Microsoft Critics? Feed Title: Randy Holloway's Weblog Feed URL: /msdnerror.htm?aspxerrorpath=/rholloway/rss.aspx Feed Description: Commentary on Yukon, the CLR, and related technologies interspersed with personal opinion. Latest .NET Buzz Posts Latest .NET Buzz Posts by Randy Holloway Latest Posts From Randy Holloway's Weblog

News.com has a story on a security researcher that was released by his employer @Stake, a consulting company that does work for Microsoft, after contributing to a report that criticized Microsoft.  Specifically, the report criticized the security of Microsoft products and cited an alleged monopoly as being bad for our national computing infrastructure and creating a significant risk. 

First, a disclaimer.  I haven't read the report cited and I don't know all of the details of this story.  Also, the article cites some sources that imply that Microsoft is directly behind this firing.  I don't support that theory and I believe that it is irresponsible speculation.  However, if this person was fired after contributing to a report that sounds like it has a reasonable thesis because that thesis is controversial, I think that should be a concern.  I am a supporter of Microsoft and avid user of many Microsoft products and development tools, but they have to continue to work hard as a company to make sure that platform is reliable and secure.  In a recent Microsoft survey that I participated in on behalf of my company, I cited security and reliability of products as the major concern that I have as a customer.  Let's not silence this kind of criticism, I think this type of analysis is an important factor that helps motivate Microsoft to work on improving their products.