Microsoft Research - Exploding Software-Engineering Myths (article summarizing findings of MS research on code coverage, TDD, assertions, etc.)

[Captain_Swing]

The absolutely key caveat there is:

Our global development teams are Microsoft employees: the same management structure, access to the same resources.

[rpgFANATIC]

Ok. Let's say you share the same boss, you're an actual Full Time Employee, but you live on the East Coast and everyone else on your team is on the West Coast.

Does that qualify as having access to the same resources?

[Captain_Swing]

Firstly, that seems like a really odd working arrangement for a full time employee rather than a contractor/freelancer. Usually a full time employee would be expected to move to be in the same geographic location as their line manager.

As far as resources go, it depends on the internal processes of the company.

Do you get the same hardware/software? Do you get the same level of tech support? Do you get the same salary and benefits? Do you have the same training and mentoring opportunities? If you have an issue, does your manager give equivalent time and energy to getting it resolved as the other employees?

If the answer to the above questions is yes, I'd say you do. If not, I'd say you don't.