Open source expert takes on the hardest job at Microsoft (Network World)

It actually doesn't even matter whether the intentions were good.

The way this works is that Microsoft can't do what Free software people want. It's pretty good at obeying license conditions, but it can't open up, it can't co-operate, so after a few months either Gianugo ends up as part of the monster, believing that Free Software people are being unreasonable and computers are supposed to be controlled by an elite priesthood in Redmond, or else he quits in disgust.

Some of you will have read about the old A&R man job at record labels. The A&R man is cool, he wants you to sign with his label because he likes you and he likes the same music as you. He buys the beer. When the band signs they'll probably get to hire any studio they want. They could make a music video. They could tour Australia! The lead singer told that joke about drummers and the A&R man laughed and it didn't seem fake at all.

But the A&R man doesn't write the contracts, he's just a front. The contract doesn't say you can pick your studio, and it doesn't say you're going to Australia. It says the label own everything you do, whistling in the shower, tapping your fork on a glass. It says you already owe them more than you've got in the bank, and that you'll probably never see a dime of the money your fans spend.

Perhaps the first few times the A&R man is genuinely surprised that this happens. If the sense of betrayal gets to him he may quit. But more likely he'll accept that his career in music is over, and he's now a salesman, selling the record label to the musician. If he tells a few half-truths to make it happen, that's just what's necessary to pay the rent.