[Cross post from my final entry on my Sun Microsystems blog]…
Today is my last day at Sun. It has been a thrilling ride and one that I would do all over again. I’ve learned a lot, worked with some of the most brilliant people on the planet, worked for the world’s best management team who was more than willing to accommodate my requests to work on programs that most inspired me & happy to give me room to get my groove on, and now…I walk away with more experience and friends than I ever imagined I’d acquire through a job. I kicked butt & had fun! (I hope someone creates a tee-shirt for that McNealy-ism.)
Hands down, my favorite role (ever) is the one I am now exiting. Being your tour guide for Sun’s community sites (blogs, forums, wikis, etc.) went beyond just a job — it became an obsession. I was lucky enough to work directly with tens of thousands of Sun fans worldwide & Sun employees in every organization and in every rank in the company — from interns to our CEO. I’ve enjoyed every minute & every conversation (well, minus the spammers, trolls, & an unnamed executive blogger who asked me to air brush his mustache off his profile picture).
While it makes me sad that this is my last blog post on this site, I welcome change and wish my Sun fellows well as they embark on the next incarnation of Sun. “Thank you” to each of you for such fond memories — especially those who helped make the community sites such thriving & robust communities. It’s no wonder Sun is seen as a pioneer in this space and a poster child for corporate social media done right.
The world is a whole lot more connected thanks to social sites, so there’s no need to say good-bye — I’m just right here, here, here & here. I have a few irons in the fire & will be sure to keep you posted on my next big thing. 🙂
To new beginnings!
Linda Skrocki 
#1 by Thin Guy on November 4, 2009 - 6:06 pm
Looking forward to what’s next for @lskrocki. Thanks for everything you did for Sun in the social media space. I’ll personally miss being able to call you my colleague, but very grateful that I can always call you my friend.
#2 by Igorko on November 4, 2009 - 6:08 pm
Veľa šťastia Linduška. Budeš nám chýbať. 🙂
#3 by Bill Walker on November 4, 2009 - 6:08 pm
Darn. We’ll definitely miss you Linda! Thanks for all of your support over the years, and your enthusiasm in guiding us all on this journey.
#4 by Levi on November 4, 2009 - 6:09 pm
Well Linda, I have no doubt you will excel at anything you set your mind to, wherever you go, so I only wish you the best of luck out of habit, and will continue to follow your various exploits through social media. Keep in touch please, and continue having fun!
#5 by Alain Geenrits on November 4, 2009 - 6:11 pm
Linda,
I am really devastated to see you go, I am not positive about the survival of the social media community and bloggers at Sun anymore… You were the driving force from the Social You sessions, to your support and guidance.
That said the world is flat and we will keep in touch on precisely the social media we all love.
I hope you find a great new challenge ! All the best …
#6 by Kevin on November 4, 2009 - 6:12 pm
The great thing about social media is that you never have to leave your online friends even when you change jobs. See you on the other side!
#7 by Chris Quenelle on November 4, 2009 - 6:26 pm
Words can’t express my gratitude. Your dedication and enthusiasm for your work here at Sun has been energizing for those of us Sun Employees who have chosen to have a public face.
#8 by DiTucci on November 4, 2009 - 6:32 pm
I’ll always be your fellow OCD PM, loyal follower and *friend* no matter what company we work for. Cheers to new adventures!
Liz
#9 by kathyalice on November 4, 2009 - 6:41 pm
Like many, I’m sorry to see you exit. I really admire how you plunged into the social media space and made it your own. A real trailblazer and a really tough act to follow.
#10 by Richard Friedman on November 4, 2009 - 6:47 pm
Linda, working with you over the years on Sun Forums has been great. This is a big loss of Sun, and a big gain for some other organization to come.
All the best…
#11 by renko on November 4, 2009 - 6:51 pm
Best of luck to you Linda, sad to see one of the great people go, happy that I had the opportunity to work with you.
#12 by Terry McKenzie on November 4, 2009 - 6:54 pm
You have been a huge asset for Sun and for communities – wherever you land will be very lucky to have you. I’m one of your biggest fans, and will be eagerly watching to see what happens next.
See you around the virtual world!
#13 by CraigM on November 4, 2009 - 6:56 pm
Sun’s loss … been a delight to watch there, but I’m sure there will be great opportunites to come 😉
Good luck …
#14 by Christy on November 4, 2009 - 6:57 pm
Wow, Linda – I have admired you for so many years – you are amazing and I loved participating in all the amazing community efforts you made possible at Sun. I too will be watching to see what your next adventure will be – wherever you land, they will be so lucky!
#15 by Mark Dixon on November 4, 2009 - 7:21 pm
Thanks for all your excellent leadership and support for the Sun blogosphere! Best wishes for your success and happiness as you open a new chapter of your life.
Mark Dixon
#16 by Will Thornburg on November 4, 2009 - 8:23 pm
I’m sad. I’ll miss working with you. However, I’m happy thinking that there has got to be a gigantic, convergent nexus of good vibes from your friends and fans swirling over Brighton right now! I know you’ll channel it with expert efficiency. I can’t wait to see what you do next. 🙂
#17 by Brian Herman on November 4, 2009 - 9:22 pm
Linda, I’m sad for you and for Sun but at the same time it’s suddenly possible for us to work together somewhere again. 🙂 Looking at this string of replies is a testament to what you’ve accomplished at Sun, touching so many people. But more than anything, your post itself is a case study in grace and class. This blog post might just land you your next job with some forward-thinking social media leader! (Hint hint world!)
#18 by melanie gao on November 4, 2009 - 10:04 pm
Oh no! Really? Linda I can’t imagine Sun without you! You were one of the best things about this place. I am really going to miss you. Thank you for bringing me into blogosphere. Did you know if was your post about that yellow dress in the shop window (the one where the mannequin herself seemed to be displeased) that made me think that maybe I could write a blog too? I’ll always remember you for that.
I’m looking forward to seeing what your next big thing is. I’m sure it will be great.
Sniff….
[Coming back for a virtual hug]
#19 by Simon Phipps on November 4, 2009 - 11:27 pm
So sad about this news on so many levels, Linda. Gonna miss you.
#20 by George Drapeau on November 4, 2009 - 11:34 pm
Sorry to see you go, Linda; you did a fantastic job with BSC in particular. Nicely done! And best wishes for you in your next gig, which I’m sure will come about as soon as you want it to.
#21 by R Rajesh on November 4, 2009 - 11:55 pm
Linda, Sorry to see you go away. Good luck with you future assignments.
#22 by David Christopher on November 5, 2009 - 8:47 am
Really really sorry to hear you are leaving. It seems from the comments left here that you had a great deal of respect from your colleagues, and greatly admired for the work you did there. Very disappointed to not have had the chance to work with you directly at Oracle and utilise your knowledge and experiences to improve our social business communities. Our loss is without question someone’s gain. Please keep in touch over Twitter (davidchris), and i wish you all the best for the future.
#23 by Martin Englund on November 5, 2009 - 12:56 pm
WTF! This makes me both sad and angry 😦
You leave behind a great legacy. The Sun community sites would not be what they are without you!
May your blog posts always be read and your tweets prosper 🙂
Good luck on the outside,
/Martin
#24 by Marius Ciortea on November 5, 2009 - 5:48 pm
I’m very sad to hear the news :(. I wish you all the best and feel free to contact me if you need anything.
Marius
#25 by Sandy on November 5, 2009 - 7:38 pm
Linda,
So sorry to hear. You are the inspiration for so many of us to begin blogging (me included) as you made the concept very approachable an UNintimidating. Thank you for being the first response on my first post. Best of luck to you in your next role – wherever you land will be a better place because you’re there!
Sandy
#26 by Skrocki on November 5, 2009 - 9:14 pm
THANKS so much for all the sweet comments, everyone! I’m so lucky to know such awesome people. 🙂
#27 by MaryMary on November 6, 2009 - 8:44 pm
YOU ARE A SUPER STAR!
It has been my HUGE honor to have been able to work with you.
I’d like to re-print (without permission) some thoughts I shared about you another context….
“Linda is the force behind Sun’s social communities — blogs, forums, wikis and so much more. Hundreds of MILLIONS of people engage with Sun via these communities. They were directly responsible for more than results 130,000 high business value engagements that led to highly qualified sales leads. Linda seeded these communities and fostered their growth. She’s absolutely extraordinary. I have the very highest personal and professional regard for her. Fair warning: given the opportunity, I will always look for a way to recruit her. When I think about my dream team, Linda is in my starting line-up.”
#28 by Linda Skrocki on November 8, 2009 - 8:24 pm
Thanks so much, Mary! 🙂
#29 by Catherine Helzerman on November 12, 2009 - 12:42 am
Sun’s loss..big time. I know you are on to greater things and any company that has you will be VERY lucky. We didn’t get to be at the same company for a long time, but I immediately and continue to respect the work you’ve done both in and outside of Sun.
#30 by Greg on November 13, 2009 - 8:19 pm
Hi Linda. I’m sad you won’t be popping up on IM anymore to ask for CSS help on blogs. It was always a fun diversion from the day-to-day grind. Happy trails to you and yours. Maybe our trails will cross again someday, who knows?