Geeks did not snub SUN for RIM

Seems like our "little" hockey tournament has attracted the attention of some individuals in England. I checked my network traffic this morning and notice a huge increase in traffic. I wondered why the spike? Then the answer...

It seems like Ashlee Vance of The Register, a UK online newspaper, has decided that our "Draft Jim from RIM" campaign is just a thinly veiled attempt to get a job with Research in Motion. The article can be found here: Article

Ashlee also insists that we snubbed Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy whom is also a hockey player and fan. Our decision to launch the "Draft Jim from RIM" campaign was never intended to be a snub to Mr. McNealy. Our campaign is based on Mr. Balsillie's widely known reputation for being a hockey enthusiast and coincide with the 1 year anniversary of RIM's Halifax, Nova Scotia office opening.

In order to rectify any perceived wrong on our part between Geeks on Ice and Sun Microsystems, I immediately contacted technology industry titan Scott McNealy to extend him a personal invitation to Geeks on Ice. I explained to him that had we known that he was such a huge hockey enthusiast, we would have contacted him earlier. Mr. McNealy replied within hours that due to a scheduling conflict, he cannot make the 2007 edition of our event. He did indicate that he was interested in participating in 2008, which would mark our 5 year anniversary.

Had Ashlee conducted research our event, he might have realized that Geeks on Ice is not about the individual. Geeks is about our technology community working together to build a better society through technology investments in non-profit agencies.

In closing, I owe Ashlee from The Register a big Atlantic Canadian thank you! Because of your post, Geeks on Ice has now attracted an international audience and a new team for 2008.

Sincerely yours,

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice Founder

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Geeks on Ice committee, participants and sponsors.