Former 'Get the Facts' leader leaves Microsoft

Martin Taylor, best known for his role in leading Microsoft's anti-Linux "Get the Facts" campaign, has abruptly left the company, Microsoft confirmed on Tuesday.

"We've made the difficult decision to part ways with Martin, but we don't comment on personnel matters," the company said through its public relations firm, Waggener Edstrom. "We appreciate Martin's contributions at Microsoft over the past 13 years."

Taylor, who most recently was a corporate vice president for Microsoft's Windows Live services, was quoted in a Microsoft press release announcing the introduction of Windows Live Messenger on Monday. On Tuesday, published reports announced that he had left the company.

Prior to working in Windows Live services, Taylor for several years was general manager of platform strategy, a job in which he was the spokesman for "Get the Facts," Microsoft's anti-Linux initiative. According to the company, it was a campaign that educated users about the true cost of implementing Linux versus Windows. However, many viewed it as a blatant attack on Linux at a time when the open-source OS was eating away at Windows Server's share of the Intel-based server market.

Before that, he worked closely with Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer as a director of business strategy.

Taylor could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.