Google Acquisitions Forced to Learn Klingon?

Thursday, July 17th, 2008 by Andy Beal

Google Acquisitions Forced to Learn Klingon?

If you decide to sell your company to Google, keep this in mind: you will be forced to give up the English language and will only be able to speak Klingon.

I kid, I kid…mostly.

Nik Cubrilovic explains that something akin to the above, does actually happen to companies acquired by Google.

One of the first main challenges for a company that has been acquired by Google is adopting the proprietary technology stack used within the company. Google does use Linux and open source, but their core technologies are all internal to the company. I have heard that it can take a new engineer at Google anywhere from 3-6 months to become accustomed to using these tools and services.

Some companies make the transition quickly–YouTube for example–but for others, Google becomes a technological Elephant’s Graveyard–remember MeasureMap or Dodgeball?

Something else for conspiracy theorists. Does Google insist on its own proprietary technology to make it hard for Googlers to leave the company?

And what comes of former Google employees? They spend years building on a technology stack that nobody else is using. How useful are they to a company that is looking for MySQL, Apache, Python, PHP etc. experts?

Things that make you go, "hmmm."

Save & Share

Similar Stories in: Search | Forward: Email This Post

8 comments on “Google Acquisitions Forced to Learn Klingon?”

Web Marketing Man Says:

July 17th, 2008 at 9:39 am

It sure does make sense for Google to have unique technology, ensuring that their work remains exclusive. Also no pesky license fees to pay. It all adds up, I suppose.
Top Rated Digital Says:

July 17th, 2008 at 10:33 am

It’s not just Google that does that. I spent years working for big corporate banks, and they do have a language all their own. Not as much fun as Klingon, but hey . . . Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam

Top Rated Digital’s last blog post..What’s The Top Rated Canon Digital Camera?
Nicole Price Says:

July 17th, 2008 at 11:15 am

And why not may I ask? I would do the same if I were the acquiring company.

Nicole Price’s last blog post..Discounted Pet Products
Alex Isaacs Says:

July 17th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

It’s a “skilled trade” just like being in the plumbers or electrical union. Albeit that they work in a/c and don’t have to clean their finger nails out at the end of the day, but it’s still a defined skill. When lay-offs come and you find yourself obsolete, you have to take a step back and ask yourself “what just happened here?” The sad fact is that dedication doesn’t always reward you.
Tiffany Says:

July 17th, 2008 at 10:56 pm

Yeah..that’s genius way to keep their exclusivity.
Top Rated Digital Says:

July 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am

Can’t believe no one tried to translate my Klingon quote above . . . are there no geeks anywhere?

Top Rated Digital’s last blog post..What’s The Top Rated Canon Digital Camera?
Andy Beal Says:

July 18th, 2008 at 10:50 am

@Top Rated - speak for yourself, I’m kinda partial to living.
Top Rated Digital Says:

July 18th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

jIyaj

Top Rated Digital’s last blog post..What’s The Top Rated Canon Digital Camera?

Marketing Pilgrim