Ultimately, the more people are willing to accept relinquishing of their rights, the more they will certainly loose. I suppose a credit check shouldn't offend me... I've nothing to hide... but the thought that an HR person will be looking over my purchases, reviewing every thing I own (and many things that are completely false... as many whom have reviewed credit reports can attest to), and hold me accountable for it... well, it just doesn't seem like a democracy to me... and yes, I'm trying to keep any political views out of this discussion.

I must admit, I've intentionally left out the company name... but there aren't many large software companys in Redmond so... you're welcome to make the assumption as to what company it might be. The position is to develop digitial video software (read: no access to any personal or financial data of any kind of anyone public or private). No access would be provided or permitted to any persons personal information as a result of the acceptance of this job. The code produced by this job would also not be used to alter, edit, or retrieve any personal information of any kind about anyone (nor would it have access to any such information that it might be made to do so). I just wonder how far this goes next? Since the largest cost of any employee is health care (at least in the US), I wonder if they will take blood samples next and exclude those whom have genetic markers that demonstrate a liklihood for serious illness? It would certainly make their insurance companies happy and reduce their insurance rates... but is this the way we really want to go? It may seem like a stretch for some, but in the US (where credit is the life-blood)... there's not much different between asking for blood and running your credit report... only that asking for blood is more likely to gain the attention of the ACLU (and, of course taking blood heals much more quickly as even a query on your credit report stays for several years!).

I retired in 1999, no hard feelings... and in fact, the reason I was considering returning was because other friends of mine whom still work there have encouraged me to apply. When I joined the first time, I was employee 226... now, the company has over 60,000 employees so it's not like it's even the same company anymore.

This job has nothing to do with anything financial. It was a job writing software for the digital media division... not even any finance software involved. Just seems rather invasive to me... a trend that seems to be condoned everywhere in the US these days.

I FULLY agree that this is an egregious abuse of power! I'm both amazed, and ashamed at its use. For the record, I had worked at this company before (for 11 years) so I'm hardly an "unknown quantity"... it's just their new policy. It should also be known that no crimial check was made, and that the job has nothing to do with anything financial or related with any funds of any kind.

Has anyone ever had this presented to them before? As part of a recent interview at a large Redmond, Washington based software company interview, I was asked to allow them to review my credit history. It was stated to me (both verbally and in writing) that the outcome of this would be used to aide in the determination of my eligibility. So, I wonder... am I alone in finding this practice a bit intrusive, a violation of privacy, and unrelated to the job of being a programmer? What happens to good programmers that have fallen on bad times for various reasons (divorce, ill health, etc)... is it truly a good practice to discredit them? When my auto insurance company decided to adopt this practice, I left them for another company that reviews drivers based on their merits... is our only defense against such practice simply to not apply to companies that adopt such practices? It seemed a rather odd practice so I thought I'd ask... Thanks, -Brycej

Firstly, as has already been stated... don't expect to interview with BillG. Interviews are conducted via a formula. You will have two in the morning... a lunch hour (almost always accompanied by one of the interviewing staff), then two interviews in the afternoon. The final interviews are for the Dev. Managers and Program Managers. You are likely to get an programming question from the Dev. Manager, but not the Program Manager. Next, I've created an on-line book of ACTUAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN ASKED AT MICROSOFT INTERVIEWS: http://b.jonasson.home.comcast.net/Questions.html[^] This is in a book control, so simply flip the pages to review the questions and answers. This "book" was requested by an old friend of mine whom is currently the technical recruiter for a local contract agency that uses these questions/answers to prepare candidates for Microsoft development interviews. *Truth in disclosure statement: I have in the past, and currently work at Microsoft.

I've written replies to several people, but most seem to think that they can get projects written for $0.05 per hour... Honestly! I have seen projects that stated that they wanted someone to write a knock-off of Donkey Kong and provide the sources... and they would be so kind as to pay < $100 for your effort! One reply I was sent stated that he was looking for someone to complete an audio filter project for around $15... and stated that he had someone already whom replied that they would complete the task on schedule for that price! He even chastised me for stating that his "< $100 maximum bid" was a bit disingenuous. I don't know how anyone can take RAC seriously... it is exploitive at best!

And I being one of them. I have ridden for more years than is appropriate to state, now on my 27th motorcycle and fourth with more than 250,000 miles on it (this one nearing 400,000)... needless to say, I've spent a few hours pondering proper gear. So, what do I wear... an AeroStich Darien: http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store As others speak of leathers, I've given up on them years ago. They aren't suitable for poor weather (read: cold or rain), and don't offer the ventilation or structural integrity of the current composite materials. While this will certainly draw jeers amongs the Harley community, leathers are a fashion statement. They were once the best there was... but that time has clearly come and gone. So, if you're riding for nostalgia and don't mind dying for it... the choice is made... but if you ride to live... it's worth a moment to review where the evolution of riding gear has taken us... it's a moment well spent.

Why does someone live in a climate that is too damn cold to go out during winter and too damn hot (and/or humid) to go out in the summer? My advice; sell the place and move! Let the new owner sweat out how they are going to complete the retaining wall! Where I live, the only ice I ever see threw glass is in my drinks… and if you ever need to see snow, you can grind your ice up really fine.