The LA Times is the paper of record in Steve Ballmer’s new business center and about-to-be-adopted home town. This is their take on Ballmer’s legacy.

Amid the intensity, Ballmer liked to be funny. Parthasarathy recalled during one performance review when Ballmer slapped his business card down on the table and shouted, “Hit me!” Confused, Parthasarathy stared at the card for several moments while Ballmer smiled and said nothing. Finally, Parthasarathy turned the card over.

“My new salary and my new bonus were written on the back,” he said of the card, which he still keeps in a frame at his house. “I thought, ‘Oh, so this is how you do performance reviews.’”

Fascinating read.