Company: Microsoft
Date: 2008-10-02
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: current

Microsoft - the good and the bad.
Pros: Best place to learn and create new technologies.  Any question you have - someone employed by Microsoft has an answer.  It is amazing.  If you look through the various email distribution lists - apart from the usual geeks - there are folks who have expertise in a variety of fields.  Got a plumbing / architecture / electronics / car question?  There's a DL for it with folks that can start from basics and give you expert level information -all for free.
Cons: Difficult to get ahead and be recognized.  At higher levels you tend to be recognized more for your ability to manage up and sidewise rather than pure hardwork / technical skills / creativity.