The opinions of a ex-employee are more noise than signal. You're not dating, you're doing a job - make sure expectations match up, and if they do, accept the offer, and do your best. What an ex-employee thinks about the people is completely irrelevant to the job that needs to be done.<p><i>Arguing against talking to the old IT guy is like arguing against washing hands</i><p>We're not talking about transferring technical know-how - that would be a question of brining him on as a consultant.