Microsoft

Amazing benefits and compensation for those willing to play the game and be a good corporate citizen. Most co-workers are brilliant (and sometimes know it all too well). It is one of maybe 10 companies that truly value the software engineer above all other careers.

Creative thought or approaches are admonished or killed off. Too many "Type-A" idiots resting on past laurels (pre-1999 wins) are in charge and see themselves as God's gift to software development.

Work/life balance is sort of a joke. With email and smart phones, you are expected to be available at all hours.

Retire, Steve. Please. Just retire.

I have nothing against long hours and hard work to get a job done, but this has become the norm.

And, please, Sinofsky is not our savior.