Ex-Joost CTO "an arrogant, condescending jerk," like most CTOs we know
Joost fired its former CTO, Dirk-Willem van Gulik, when it found out he was looking for a new job. Or he quit. Hard to tell. But according to a new tipster, one thing is clear: Many at Joost were glad to see him depart for a new job at the BBC.
I worked with Dirk-Willem van Gulik at Joost, and I've got to say I'm surprised it took them this long to fire him, the guy is an arrogant, condescending jerk who has a demoralizing effect on anyone that must work with him. In a 20 year career, I don't think I've ever met someone I enjoyed working with less.
For example, in conversation he would pretty-much concoct terms and acronyms on the fly, and then act like you are a moron for not knowing what they mean. On later research you discover that Google has never heard these terms either.
He is the type of guy that non-technical people find convincing, and even if you are reasonably technical, it can take a while before you realize he is full of crap, but eventually you will.
The people here are livid that he was obviously lining up a new gig when he should have been doing his job here, hence going public about the involuntary nature of his departure.
I feel sorry for those at the BBC who must work with him now, but I have one tip — next time he casually throws out an unfamiliar term or acronym to convince people he is smarter than you, Google it, you will
probably find it is wholly or partially made up.