This is good stuff. As the article was written in 2000, does anyone know how these things panned out? Is Fogcreek still using this plan?

Yeah, http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2011/07/how-much-should-you-pa...

That just seems incompatible with the necessities of hiring many particular, high value people. This is at least if it's total compensation, not just a nod to actual cash salary.

Looking at Spolsky's other posts on stock options, it isn't a complete picture I think.

(Spolsky's particular federal-type pay scale. Not public salaries at all).

thanks, good information!!