November 18th, 2016 was my last day at Microsoft.

Looking back

I’ve been hired out of college 4 years ago. My first project was ERP system Dynamics AX. Joining Microsoft I had very little Windows experience and was desperately missing bash. Working in Dynamics, I experimented with different options, like cmd, cygwin and powershell.

I didn’t quite like few things in PowerShell, but despite that it seems very fresh and powerful. I asked the team to give me access to PowerShell source code. They could not because … you know, Windows source code permissions. So I figure out the only way to get my hands on the codebase and try to fix the problems is to join the team.

PowerShell

That’s how I joined PowerShell team 2.5 years ago in 2014.

It was such a fun gig! I was fortunate to work with smart, friendly and passionate people. I learn a ton about technologies and the software development.

PowerShell has awesome community. I get to know people who are making their living using the software I write. People who just enjoy using it. People whose life is better because PowerShell exists. That’s very inspiring and motivating for me. Thank you, community!

During the past year, I was mostly focused on

Today we have open-source cross-platform PowerShell. Thank you, all the people who made this possible! And special thanks to Andy: the single person who is mostly responsible for the success of this project. Andy, it was a pleasure to work with you.

We also have open-source PowerShell help for core modules, powered by platyPS.

I had a really great time at Microsoft and it ends on the high note.

Going forward

I will start working at Dropbox (Seattle) in January 2017.

I’m currently one of PowerShell maintainers. I will continue to be maintainer, as far as the team thinks I provide value as a maintainer and I have time for that. That would make me first non-Microsoft-employee-PowerShell-maintainer. I think it’s a very healthy sign and shows that team treats its open-source projects with transparency and inclusiveness.