Microsoft is buying 37 percent of the Norwegian search engine company Fast Search and Transfer. Not all Fast employees are equally enthusiastic.

Computerworld Norway reports that there are quite a few Fast developers that have “a negative religious relationship to Microsoft”. This is a quote from Fast’s Director of Technology Bjørn Olstad.

Other companies may use this opportunity to recruit Fast researchers, he says. He does add however, that most employees are positive towards the coming acquisition.

Computerworld believes that Microsoft will locate its search technology development to Norway.

Indeed, most Fast spokesmen argue that Fast will not be assimilated into Microsoft. The company will rather continue as a separate entity, closely integrated with Microsoft.

Petter Merok of Microsoft Norway is very happy with the latest development. Bjørn Olstad was his professor at the university in Trondheim. Merok believes that the acquisition will help Fast sell its technology around the world.

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