Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was at his alma mater today, Stanford University, telling the multi-core, or in this case, multi-trick pony story about Microsoft. (That's the established cores or tricks in desktop and server, and the emerging areas of online and consumer.)

He also took a swipe at Google's plans to double its headcount in a year.

"That's insane in my opinion," he said, in this report from Dow Jones Newswires. "I don't think anyone has proven that a random collection of people doing their own thing has created value."

While Microsoft's headcount is nearing perhaps 75,000, the company hasn't seen employment double in recent history.

Here's a look at Microsoft's headcount and employment growth since 1996 (as of June 30 each year).

2006 71,553 17.3%
2005 61,000 6.9%
2004 57,086 4.8%
2003 54,468 7.6%
2002 50,621 5.4%
2001 48,030 22.6%
2000 39,170 24.1%
1999 31,575 16.7%
1998 27,055 21.7%
1997 22,232 8.1%
1996 20,561 N/A