You could have done worse than two weeks. The former employees who would not talk were probably under a non-disparagement agreement from their severance - and that agreement under a non-disclosure agreement.
In this case however, the relative silence is a good indicator.
Usually, even if one leaves a place and can't share their grief they will at least try to point out a positive.
That said, phrasing such as "You'll become a world class VB6 Developer" is a lovely way to let people know what they are in for in a way that is not disparaging, per-se.
