It is difficult to understand. I know that when I worked there the way advancement worked (the only way to get a raise) was that you shipped a "new" thing. People who just fixed bugs never got recognition company wide, but people who shipped a new thing FULL of bugs? They got to go up on stage with Larry and be held up as some who gets things done. (and get promoted)

That had started changing by 2010. They at least had an official way to recognize one person a quarter, if they were nominated, for doing solid infrastructure work.