My sentiments exactly. I wasn't trying to insult Kyle or the company itself, but if I were currently looking for work, I would definitely be looking for a company doing awesome things rather than a company that has no history and no obvious public business plan or concept. I do like the quiz idea, and it has apparently been a pretty successful screen for a few companies I've read about on Hacker News.<br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 12:57 PM, David van Geest <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:david.vangeest@gmail.com">david.vangeest@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
Yeah, I kind of liked the quiz too, although I was too lazy to hack<br>
the forms or look up some of the answers which had escaped my memory<br>
(I'm not looking for a job).<br>
<br>
That said, if I were considering an application, it would be nice to<br>
have some background info on the company, what they do, etc. I'm sure<br>
Kyle is a good guy (based on his polite email and the recomendations<br>
from Michael and Casey), but there's more to a company than good,<br>
smart people. Products? Services? Business plan? Location.....?<br>
<br>
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for _select_ job opportunities being<br>
circulated on a list like this. But even for the midly curious such<br>
as myself, a website goes a long way towards introducing your company.<br>
<div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 12:01 PM, Clay Ashby <<a href="mailto:kingpoiuy@gmail.com">kingpoiuy@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> I liked the quiz idea! I did some of it and found myself to be quite rusty<br>
> with some of the aspects. I think quizzes like this should be standard for<br>
> job applications and I also wish (as bob mentioned) more places would post<br>
> their salary as part of the job incentive. Most companies don't post their<br>
> wages because they want to undercut the employee if possible. These quizzes<br>
> not only help the employer understand the employee, but they help the<br>
> employee understand the employer as well.<br>
> Just my thoughts! :)<br>
><br>
> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:50 AM, Bob Kline <<a href="mailto:bob.kline@gmail.com">bob.kline@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>><br>
>> Assume? The job description could<br>
>> include something like "we are a company<br>
>> engaged in......"<br>
>> IT professional reads better than geek IMHO.<br>
>> "Just do your job" actually sounds pretty good<br>
>> in today's world. As long as one knows what it<br>
>> is anyway. Creativity is a very overused word<br>
>> today. Everyone even mildly competent, making<br>
>> the most mundane, expected, contributions calls<br>
>> themselves creative. Probably doesn't help to<br>
>> narrow things down much. A good recommendation<br>
>> by someone known to be competent in the field<br>
>> sounds useful.<br>
>> -- Bob<br>
>><br>
>> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:35 AM, Joseph Workman<br>
>> <<a href="mailto:joseph.workman@gmail.com">joseph.workman@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>>><br>
>>> I like the "game" it shows creativity and gives some insight into the<br>
>>> culture of a company. I am assuming this isn't the normal "realistic" ---<br>
>>> just do your job -- kind of company but maybe a company that has a sense of<br>
>>> humor and creativity.<br>
>>><br>
>>><br>
>>> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:23 AM, Bob Kline <<a href="mailto:bob.kline@gmail.com">bob.kline@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>>>><br>
>>>> Why the games? i.e., why not just post<br>
>>>> a realistic job description, including a salary<br>
>>>> range?<br>
>>>> Saying one is looking for a geek might<br>
>>>> bring smiles to the computer community,<br>
>>>> but colloquially it suggests one is looking<br>
>>>> for a social loser who is willing to devote<br>
>>>> his or her life to the cause. And will likely<br>
>>>> wall themselves off from the rest of the<br>
>>>> organization as much as possible in order<br>
>>>> to keep away the demanding, largely<br>
>>>> know-nothing, computer users. It's not<br>
>>>> an appealing pitch, but then, perhaps things<br>
>>>> have not really changed much in the last<br>
>>>> 30 years.<br>
>>>> We've seen cases of ridiculous job<br>
>>>> descriptions, seemingly looking for someone<br>
>>>> fluent in 50 or more computer languages<br>
>>>> and-or major packages. If someone has a<br>
>>>> real job, with finite duties and hours, and<br>
>>>> pay commensurate with expectations, why<br>
>>>> not just spell it out. Knowing the boss is a<br>
>>>> great guy is a plus from the job seeker's<br>
>>>> point of view, but just another factor.<br>
>>>> -- Bob<br>
>>>><br>
>>>> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Casey DuBois <<a href="mailto:grlugcasey@gmail.com">grlugcasey@gmail.com</a>><br>
>>>> wrote:<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> I can also vouch for Kyle and told him to post this opportunity to the<br>
>>>>> list. For anyone looking for work this may be an excellent opportunity.<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Regards,<br>
>>>>> Casey DuBois<br>
>>>>> 616-808-6942<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> On Nov 24, 2010, at 9:11 AM, Michael Mol <<a href="mailto:mikemol@gmail.com">mikemol@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> > I can't say a whole lot without risking violating an NDA, and even<br>
>>>>> > providing this character reference risks putting me in an odd<br>
>>>>> > conflict<br>
>>>>> > with my own employer, but I do feel a couple things need to be said.<br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> > I know these folks personally and professionally, and they are some<br>
>>>>> > of<br>
>>>>> > the friendliest and polite people I've ever met, and Kyle is one of<br>
>>>>> > the enthusiastic, driven and cleverest people I've ever met. I<br>
>>>>> > suspect<br>
>>>>> > he is smarter and has a higher capability for learning than I have or<br>
>>>>> > will have.<br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> > I personally think it would be foolish for anyone on this list to<br>
>>>>> > give<br>
>>>>> > a blanket pass on the opportunity without at least trying for an<br>
>>>>> > interview.<br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> > On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 8:27 AM, Matt Michielsen<br>
>>>>> > <<a href="mailto:mattmichielsen@gmail.com">mattmichielsen@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>>>>> >><br>
>>>>> >> My favorite from their images directory was this one:<br>
>>>>> >> <a href="http://virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/images/customform.jpg-6-21-2006" target="_blank">http://virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/images/customform.jpg-6-21-2006</a><br>
>>>>> >> Reminds me of the geocities days.<br>
>>>>> >> I didn't look at their test or whatever though. I have a hard time<br>
>>>>> >> wanting to put any time toward a company that I can't find any real history<br>
>>>>> >> on. I guess if I were looking for a job it might be a different story.<br>
>>>>> >><br>
>>>>> >> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 8:20 PM, Bill Littlejohn <<a href="mailto:billl@mtd-inc.com">billl@mtd-inc.com</a>><br>
>>>>> >> wrote:<br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>> Not only that..<br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>> billl@phoenix:~$ whois <a href="http://virtualinterconnectsoftware.com" target="_blank">virtualinterconnectsoftware.com</a><br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>> Domain Name: <a href="http://VIRTUALINTERCONNECTSOFTWARE.COM" target="_blank">VIRTUALINTERCONNECTSOFTWARE.COM</a><br>
>>>>> >>> Registrar: EASYDNS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.<br>
>>>>> >>> Whois Server: <a href="http://whois.easydns.com" target="_blank">whois.easydns.com</a><br>
>>>>> >>> Referral URL: <a href="http://www.easydns.com" target="_blank">http://www.easydns.com</a><br>
>>>>> >>> Name Server: <a href="http://NS1.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM" target="_blank">NS1.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM</a><br>
>>>>> >>> Name Server: <a href="http://NS2.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM" target="_blank">NS2.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM</a><br>
>>>>> >>> Status: clientTransferProhibited<br>
>>>>> >>> Status: clientUpdateProhibited<br>
>>>>> >>> Updated Date: 16-nov-2010<br>
>>>>> >>> Creation Date: 16-nov-2010<br>
>>>>> >>> Expiration Date: 16-nov-2011<br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>>>>> Last update of whois database: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:16:46 UTC <<<<br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 5:19 PM, David van Geest<br>
>>>>> >>> <<a href="mailto:david.vangeest@gmail.com">david.vangeest@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>>>>> >>>> Let me guess.... first task for the new employee will be to write<br>
>>>>> >>>> the<br>
>>>>> >>>> company's website :-).<br>
>>>>> >>>><br>
>>>>> >>>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 2:31 PM,<br>
>>>>> >>>> <<a href="mailto:kyle@virtualinterconnectsoftware.com">kyle@virtualinterconnectsoftware.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>>>>> >>>>> Hi everyone,<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> We have a job opening for a programmer/system administrator<br>
>>>>> >>>>> position, and<br>
>>>>> >>>>> built a bit of a geek test to check for some of the skills we're<br>
>>>>> >>>>> looking<br>
>>>>> >>>>> for:<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> <a href="http://geektest.virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/" target="_blank">http://geektest.virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/</a><br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> You can take the test semi-anonymously without applying for the<br>
>>>>> >>>>> job - when<br>
>>>>> >>>>> you get to the end, it lets you choose whether you want to apply<br>
>>>>> >>>>> or not.<br>
>>>>> >>>>> Minimal information is required (first name, e-mail, a bit more<br>
>>>>> >>>>> if you want<br>
>>>>> >>>>> to apply for the job), and you're required to post your score to<br>
>>>>> >>>>> the high<br>
>>>>> >>>>> score list under a three-letter handle of your choosing. It's<br>
>>>>> >>>>> designed as<br>
>>>>> >>>>> a bit of a game, and some basic hacking is encouraged (see the<br>
>>>>> >>>>> rules for<br>
>>>>> >>>>> details). Whether or not you want the job, go ahead and try it,<br>
>>>>> >>>>> even just<br>
>>>>> >>>>> to see how well you do!<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> If you're interested in the job, we're looking for a really geeky<br>
>>>>> >>>>> person<br>
>>>>> >>>>> to help us:<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> - write software, mainly in PHP/HTML/CSS/JavaScript<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - administrate networks, servers, computers, systems, and other<br>
>>>>> >>>>> electronic<br>
>>>>> >>>>> dohickeys with blinky lights and fans<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - secure data and prevent hacking attempts<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - act as on-call systems administration relief at odd hours if<br>
>>>>> >>>>> needed<br>
>>>>> >>>>> (which isn't often)<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - connect/fix printers and cell phones (the glamorous part of the<br>
>>>>> >>>>> job - in<br>
>>>>> >>>>> all seriousness, this should be fairly rare)<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> Ideally, someone who:<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> - knows how to program reasonably well<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - has experience with Linux (you are on a Linux mailing list,<br>
>>>>> >>>>> right?)<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - knows a thing or two about encryption<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - can show up for work bathed and in clean clothes<br>
>>>>> >>>>> - keeps their cables neat and organized<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> Good luck!<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> Warm Regards,<br>
>>>>> >>>>> Kyle Maas<br>
>>>>> >>>>> Virtual Interconnect Software, LLC<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> --<br>
>>>>> >>>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>>>> >>>>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>>>> >>>>> believed to be clean.<br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>>>> >>>>> grlug mailing list<br>
>>>>> >>>>> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>>>> >>>>> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>>>>> >>>>><br>
>>>>> >>>><br>
>>>>> >>>><br>
>>>>> >>>><br>
>>>>> >>>> --<br>
>>>>> >>>> David van Geest<br>
>>>>> >>>> <a href="http://60cycle.net" target="_blank">http://60cycle.net</a><br>
>>>>> >>>><br>
>>>>> >>>> --<br>
>>>>> >>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>>>> >>>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>>>> >>>> believed to be clean.<br>
>>>>> >>>><br>
>>>>> >>>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>>>> >>>> grlug mailing list<br>
>>>>> >>>> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>>>> >>>> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>>>>> >>>><br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>> --<br>
>>>>> >>> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>>>> >>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>>>> >>> believed to be clean.<br>
>>>>> >>><br>
>>>>> >>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>>>> >>> grlug mailing list<br>
>>>>> >>> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>>>> >>> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>>>>> >><br>
>>>>> >><br>
>>>>> >> --<br>
>>>>> >> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>>>> >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>>>> >> believed to be clean.<br>
>>>>> >> _______________________________________________<br>
>>>>> >> grlug mailing list<br>
>>>>> >> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>>>> >> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> > --<br>
>>>>> > :wq<br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> > --<br>
>>>>> > This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>>>> > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>>>> > believed to be clean.<br>
>>>>> ><br>
>>>>> > _______________________________________________<br>
>>>>> > grlug mailing list<br>
>>>>> > <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>>>> > <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> --<br>
>>>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>>>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>>>> believed to be clean.<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>>>> grlug mailing list<br>
>>>>> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>>>> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>>>><br>
>>>><br>
>>>> --<br>
>>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>>> believed to be clean.<br>
>>>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>>> grlug mailing list<br>
>>>> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>>> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>>><br>
>>><br>
>>><br>
>>> --<br>
>>> Joseph J. K. Workman<br>
>>> Workman Technology Services<br>
>>> 616.827.7570<br>
>>><br>
>>> --<br>
>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>>> believed to be clean.<br>
>>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>> grlug mailing list<br>
>>> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>>> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
>><br>
>><br>
>> --<br>
>> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
>> believed to be clean.<br>
>> _______________________________________________<br>
>> grlug mailing list<br>
>> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
>> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
> --<br>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
> -- "technologically promiscuous"<br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
> --<br>
> This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
> believed to be clean.<br>
> _______________________________________________<br>
> grlug mailing list<br>
> <a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
> <a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
--<br>
David van Geest<br>
<a href="http://60cycle.net" target="_blank">http://60cycle.net</a><br>
<br>
--<br>
This message has been scanned for viruses and<br>
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is<br>
believed to be clean.<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
grlug mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:grlug@grlug.org">grlug@grlug.org</a><br>
<a href="http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug" target="_blank">http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug</a><br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br>
<br />--
<br />This message has been scanned for viruses and
<br />dangerous content by
<a href="http://www.mailscanner.info/"><b>MailScanner</b></a>, and is
<br />believed to be clean.