Microsoft Fires Xbox 360 Red Ring of Death Whistleblower, May File Lawsuit

[Smooth Groove]

Microsoft

I bet that soon to be bankrupt dummy is a gaf-fot. 

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54723

Microsoft has faced a great deal of criticism over the widely reported instability of its Xbox 360 console. Now, it's fighting back by firing an employee who contributed to an expose' uncovering the system's predilection for the "Red Ring of Death"--an error code on the Xbox 360's LED-lighted power button signaling that the console is inoperable.

Robert Delaware, a temporary worker for a game testing firm contracted to Microsoft, was fired by his supervising manager at Microsoft for talking without permission to VentureBeat, who broke the story on the system's problems.

Delaware was one of several who spoke to article author Dean Takahashi, but he was the only one not to do so on the condition of anonymity. "He fully knew the risk he was taking, based on multiple conversations I had with him about using his name," claimed Takahashi in a follow-up story today. At present, all references to Robert Delaware have been removed from the original VentureBeat story.

"Clearly, from a legalistic point of view, Delaware broke company policy and it is the company's right to fire him," wrote Takahashi in today's follow-up. In fact, Delaware "expects to face civil charges from his former employer ... and Microsoft as well."

"I don't regret it," said Delaware to Takahashi in a phone call after being fired. "I'll fight it. If they want to come after me, bring it on."

Takahashi, a known insider on the topic of Microsoft hardware, is disappointed by the firing. "When I was thinking about making a difference with our story, this isn't what I had in mind," he wrote.

[Bocsius]

Certainly understandable. I mean, the story needed to get out, for sure, but Microsoft is under no obligation to play the role of the nice guy. Pro-tip: Anonymity is not so overrated.

[Draft]

"I'll fight it. If they want to come after me, bring it on."

I bet things work out just fine for him.

[laesperanzapaz]

why the hell he felt the need to play brave rebel....

[WrikaWrek]

"Clearly, from a legalistic point of view, Delaware broke company policy and it is the company's right to fire him," wrote Takahashi in today's follow-up. In fact, Delaware "expects to face civil charges from his former employer ... and Microsoft as well."

"I don't regret it," said Delaware to Takahashi in a phone call after being fired. "I'll fight it. If they want to come after me, bring it on."

whoa, what an hero.

....

Guess what nerd, nobody gives a fuck.

[Vrolokus]

I'm trying to think of one good reason the guy would use his name... and I'm stumped.

[Crushed]

Microsoft will do something much worse than just suing him: Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld will come live in his house.

[Oblivion]

I'm trying to think of one good reason the guy would use his name... and I'm stumped.

Internet cred. As some would know, such a thing is often worth dying for.

[Eel O'Brian]

i like how dean takahashi pretends to give a fuck, though

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

"I don't regret it," said Delaware to Takahashi in a phone call after being fired. "I'll fight it. If they want to come after me, bring it on."

What a stupid fuck

[Purple Filth]

While its cool to give that type of info

but to plainly show yourself ? not really, sounds like some notoriety/martyr shit.

[Yeti]

Using your name give some kind of credibility to the article. I guess.

[The Innocent X]

I would guess he was already going to leave his job and decided he wanted to go out with a bang and get some "fame"

[Brehvolution]

I would guess he was already going to leave his job and decided he wanted to go out with a bang and get some "fame"

Then he also wanted his career ruined and a pending civil lawsuit?

A career as a temp worker?

[Joe Molotov]

"I don't regret it," said Delaware to Takahashi in a phone call after being fired. "I'll fight it. If they want to come after me, bring it on."

What a goober, he's a temp! 

[MrAngryFace]

a temp that will have trouble finding more temp work

gee lets hire this guy that puts our dirty laundry out on the digital freeway

[drohne]

this dude may very well be a goober, but whistleblowers are acting in the public interest, and it's surprising to see forum types siding so aggressively with microsoft

and by 'surprising' i mean 'totally unsurprising'

edit: i mean, how many of you

a. complain about the rrod
b. are vaguely anticorporate in other circumstances

[Joe Molotov]

this dude may very well be a goober, but whistleblowers are acting in the public interest, and it's surprising to see forum types siding so aggressively with microsoft

Oh yeah, I don't have any problem with him blowing the whistle on MS (although MS did). It just his stance of "If Microsoft wants a piece of me, then bring it on! LET'S FINISH THE FIGHT!" is a bit lol-worthy.

[MrAngryFace]

I think MS might have had a problem with it conflicting with basic, and somewhat universal, business rules.

Had this been for some soap that caused allergic reactions, I think you'd be a lot less aggressive in your stance against the people who just dont like whistleblowers.

[MrAngryFace]

Who can say the rash isnt just you not washing your underwear. Get that camera out of my face!

[MrAngryFace]

Clearly you aren't anywhere near a hiring position.

[MrAngryFace]

plz hire me! im low risk! ignore the lawsuit! tell me some inside infoz

[BobFromPikeCreek]

What a fucking moron. He has basically ruined his life for a little attention. He's fucked. No one wants to hire the guy that broke an NDA and got sued by Microsoft.

[MrAngryFace]

I mean, people already assumed the numbers weren't good, and the RROD is plenty famous; what was really learned by the public or gained by him? Its definitely a weird choice.

[Draft]

gee lets hire this guy that puts our dirty laundry out on the digital freeway

More like "gee lets hire the guy that'll expose microsoft secrets and doesn't give a fuck.

I know that's a huge thing for me to see on a resume.