Wednesday, September 01, 2004

Ballmer bullish on future, bearish on Linux. Speaking to members of the Massachusetts Software Council, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer touted a bright future for technology but warned his listeners to think twice before adopting open-source products like Linux. [Computerworld News] Of course he would.  It is cutting into his profits.  After all, Micro$oft just released a rock stable update to WindowsXP.  You didn't install it did you?  Without reading the fine print...and the source code...oh, that's right, you cannot read the source code from Micro$soft...they won't release it...I wonder why... 6:15:48 PM    comment []

I Am an Economic Girlie-Man. California's governor had some words for those who are pessimistic about the economy. Right here, man. [The Motley Fool] Now this is INTERESTING.  I have been wondering for months now how a house that cost me a little under $200K is now worth close to $500K in less than 5 years and without DOING A THING TO THE PLACE (other than some minor repairs and grass seeding).  You think I am kidding?  We have been watching the comps on houses in the neighbourhood that have been selling.  They are closing in on $500K with similar (or wildly dissimilar) features.  We have one of the biggest yards in the neighbourhood and four bedrooms and an unfinished basement.  A 3 bed, 2 bath with a much smaller yard went for $460K last week and there are THREE more on the market! The other thing I have been wondering is where do you go once you have "cashed out."  Sure, you can get $400K - $500K for your house, but where are you going to live?  The price of a new house is only going to be higher.  And that new house (especially around here) is going to put a whammy on your already stressful commute.  Finally - how do you pay a mortgage on a $500K house?  In this economy?  And still by the necessary things like food and gas? Oh, by not buying the other things.  So tell me again that the economy is improving?   6:13:11 PM    comment []

SCO caps legal costs as losses mount. The SCO Group is looking to cut expenses to make sure it has enough cash to push its lawsuit with IBM, the company announced during its third-quarter earnings conference call yesterday. [Computerworld News] I had to post this one.  I would hate to be a SCO employee right now.  Worse, I would hate to be a stock holder.  The lawsuit was a mistake to begin with.  Now it looks like all those who predicted it would be the last thing SCO ever did were right.  It truely might be. 5:53:02 PM    comment []

VeriSign sues ICANN in state court. VeriSign is asking a California court to order the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to butt out of its business. [Computerworld News] Does anyone remember when the profit motive was not a factor in running the Internet?  I do and it wasn't that long ago. 5:50:52 PM    comment []

© Copyright 2004 David Lane.