| Microsoft hires senior Linux engineer |
Jun. 08, 2007
Microsoft has quietly hired Tom Hanrahan, formerly the Linux Foundation's director of engineering, to become its Director of Linux Interoperability. As part of his responsibilities, Hanrahan will manage the Microsoft/Novell Interoperability Lab that Microsoft began staffing up earlier this year.
Hanrahan began his Linux career at IBM's Linux Technology Center in Beaverton, Oregon, where he served as senior program manager in charge of software development and testing. In this position, he oversaw the work of many of IBM's leading Linux kernel developers and sub-maintainers. In September of 2003, he moved to the OSDL (Open Source Development Labs) where he served as director of Linux engineering. After the OSDL merged with the Free Standards Group to form the Linux Foundation, he continued to serve in the role of director of Linux engineering.
The Microsoft and Novell Interoperability Lab, according to Sam Ramji, Microsoft's director of platform technology strategy, "will focus on interoperable virtualization between Windows and SLES (SUSE Linux Enterprise Server). This lab will be part of the product engineering teams for both companies." In particular, it will work on "Virtualization, Office OpenXML/ODF interoperability, WS-Management interoperability, and directory federation."
A Microsoft spokesperson told Linux-Watch that "Tom will head up the new Microsoft/Novell Interoperability Lab, announced last fall as part of Microsoft and Novell's historic agreement [related story]. As outlined, the two companies are working together to create a joint development facility at which Microsoft and Novell technical experts will architect and test new software solutions and will work with customers and the community to build and support these technologies."
In his Microsoft job, "Tom will report directly to Sam Ramji who oversees Platform Technology Strategy for Microsoft and runs the Microsoft Open Source Software Lab in Redmond. Other than that we don't have any additional details to share at this time regarding the facility or staffing. Obviously Sam and team are pleased to have Tom onboard and expect Tom will positively impact the company's ongoing interoperability efforts," the spokesperson said.
Both a Novell spokesperson and Amanda McPherson, the Linux Foundation's marketing director, confirmed that Hanrahan would be working for Microsoft at the Microsoft/Novell Interoperability Lab. McPherson said, "We wish Tom well in his future endeavors."
As for the Linux Foundation, McPherson said, "Dan Kohn, our COO, is also a technical lead for the organization, with expertise in Linux development. Currently, we have a well staffed engineering team of over 30 people with John Cherry, Jeff Licquia, Stew Benedict, and others, including contractors." In addition, "we are also going to add a CTO to the mix." Ian Murdock, co-founder of Debian Linux and the former Linux Foundation CTO, left the Foundation in March to become Sun's Chief Operating Platforms Officer.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed