The Microsoft Cougar Memo: It’s Grrrrrrrrreat!
by Kara Swisher
Posted on September 23, 2009 at 5:12 AM PT
Last week, a cougar was reported to be roaming on the Redmond, Wash., campus of Microsoft, which led to all kinds of cutesy jokes about the new Snow Leopard operating system from Apple (AAPL).
No, BoomTown cannot make this stuff up!
Nor did I make up this original and very fine global alert that Microsoft Global Security sent last week, which assured employees of the software giant that “Microsoft Security will conduct frequent patrols of all wooded areas of the campus.”
That’s more than you can say about how the software giant handles hackers!
Here’s an image of the memo (click on it to see a large version):
Previously, TechFlash had the text of the second warning, which gives cougar-fighting tips.
They included:
“Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.”
“Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack. Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.”
And, most important of all: “Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don’t crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.”
Which, if you think about it, is even better advice for Microsoft (MSFT) Bing execs–this means you, Yusuf!–in tangling with search archrival Google (GOOG).
Comments
I wonder what you are supposed to say to the cougar in a confident voice.
Developers, developers, developers?
Posted by Mac Beach at September 23rd, 2009 at 6:48 amSo… just how the hell are you supposed to pick up sticks without crouching down??? Where did they get this drug-store mountain man??
Posted by Steven Sturdevant at September 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 am