perry@well.UUCP (Perry S. Kivolowitz) (05/14/86)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am amazed there's been so many notes concerning the mysterious theft of a programmer by Electronic Arts from CBM. The programmer in question (me) was supposed to do the system software for the AnswerMate. The scoop is...no ``theft'' or defection occurred. What happened, simply, is that the CBM engineering department (at West Chester) went through a managerial change after funding was secured for the coming year. The new management (understandably and justifiably) put a hold on any new contract signing while they came up to speed on existing projects. Unfortu- nately, this came at the time I was ready for signing. After two months of waiting things had changed enough for me that the contract for AnswerMate software was no longer as desireable as it once had been. Simple as that. As it turned out, at the same time, I did do a small something for Elect- ronic Arts but there is no substance to any conjecture that EA actively recruits from CBM's staff (as far as I know). Jeff Porter, who by the way is a super person to work with and I would work again with at the drop of a hat, was away when all this happened and per- haps was misled as to the reason why I discontinued my interest in the con- tract (again, after two months of CBM delays albiet for good reason). And...that's the scoop! Perry S. Kivolowitz ----- p.s. Jeff, give me a call at home some evening to talk.... -----