Comments on: Selling Out to a Company on the Decline http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/ Free Software Sentry – watching and reporting maneuvers of those threatened by software freedom Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-5/#comment-57716 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:58:47 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57716 I'll do a post about this pretty soon. http://www.hd-report.com/2009/01/06/both-microsoft-and-sony-closures-imminent/ http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/e-40%20suffers%20from%20falling%20value%20of%20microsoft%20stocks_1090882 http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2009/01/07/microsoft-setting-aside-seattle-expansion-plans Satyam Chief Quits, Admits Faking Financial Results "In a resignation letter submitted to Satyam's board, B. Ramalinga Raju said the company's balance sheet carries inflated bank and cash balances, non-existent accrued interest, understated liabilities, and overstated credit amounts owed to the company." http://www.pcworld.com/article/156525/satyam_chief_quits_admits_faking_financial_results.html?tk=rss_news “Microsoft’s perspective is best reflected by Bob Herbold, Chief Operating Officer, to whom the CFO reports. Bob very sincerely replied, “Bill, everyone is doing it.” My response was that Microsoft is a leader and that others are now seeking to emulate these fraudulent practices they have legitimized. Naturally Bob was not pleased by this perspective and that was our final conversation. A second informal response came when Microsoft asked PR Newswire to stop issuing my press releases. “Microsoft is PR Newswire’s largest client.” http://www.billparish.com/msftfraudfacts.html I’ll do a post about this pretty soon.

http://www.hd-report.com/2009/01/06/both-microsoft-and-sony-closures-imminent/

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/e-40%20suffers%20from%20falling%20value%20of%20microsoft%20stocks_1090882

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2009/01/07/microsoft-setting-aside-seattle-expansion-plans

Satyam Chief Quits, Admits Faking Financial Results

“In a resignation letter submitted to Satyam’s board, B. Ramalinga Raju said the company’s balance sheet carries inflated bank and cash balances, non-existent accrued interest, understated liabilities, and overstated credit amounts owed to the company.”

http://www.pcworld.com/article/156525/satyam_chief_quits_admits_faking_financial_results.html?tk=rss_news

“Microsoft’s perspective is best reflected by Bob Herbold, Chief Operating Officer, to whom the CFO reports. Bob very sincerely replied, “Bill, everyone is doing it.” My response was that Microsoft is a leader and that others are now seeking to emulate these fraudulent practices they have legitimized. Naturally Bob was not pleased by this perspective and that was our final conversation. A second informal response came when Microsoft asked PR Newswire to stop issuing my press releases.

“Microsoft is PR Newswire’s largest client.”

http://www.billparish.com/msftfraudfacts.html

]]> By: David Gerard http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-5/#comment-57715 David Gerard Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:47:08 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57715 You can bet the stock price has their <i>full</i> attention. Like a rabbit in headlights. You can bet the stock price has their full attention. Like a rabbit in headlights.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-5/#comment-57714 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:42:26 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57714 They'd better do something about the people who are whispering. Their stock sank today. <h3>Intel's miss weighs on Microsoft shares</h3> "Shares of Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, sank Wednesday after chip maker Intel Corp. said fourth-quarter sales missed already lowered expectations." http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/07/ap5889938.html They’d better do something about the people who are whispering. Their stock sank today.

Intel’s miss weighs on Microsoft shares

“Shares of Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest software maker, sank Wednesday after chip maker Intel Corp. said fourth-quarter sales missed already lowered expectations.”

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/07/ap5889938.html

]]> By: David Gerard http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-4/#comment-57713 David Gerard Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:40:38 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57713 Presumably because imitating Apple got them this far! Or because they're so dysfunctional they really don't know what to do for damage control. Or someone thinks the current rumour mill is actually a good idea o_0 Even when there's malice aplenty, presuming stupidity is frequently in order. Presumably because imitating Apple got them this far!

Or because they’re so dysfunctional they really don’t know what to do for damage control. Or someone thinks the current rumour mill is actually a good idea o_0

Even when there’s malice aplenty, presuming stupidity is frequently in order.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-4/#comment-57712 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:36:54 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57712 Why does Microsoft not deny them when asked? Why does Microsoft not deny them when asked?

]]> By: David Gerard http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-4/#comment-57711 David Gerard Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:35:21 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57711 And also, not to say that the rumours aren't 100% true. That is indeed possible. And also, not to say that the rumours aren’t 100% true. That is indeed possible.

]]> By: David Gerard http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-4/#comment-57710 David Gerard Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:34:22 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57710 Because they're idiots, obviously. I mean, if you knew lots of your employees read and comment on Mini-Microsoft and continued to say nothing like this ... presumably someone thinks it's a good idea to neither confirm nor deny. That doesn't actually constitute a confirmation. (I'm thinking about what Wikimedia does with particularly stupid rumours that grow legs. Mind you, we do actually deny them once they get to the secondary reports. Not that Wikmedia is comparable to Microsoft, we're much more inept than evil.) Because they’re idiots, obviously. I mean, if you knew lots of your employees read and comment on Mini-Microsoft and continued to say nothing like this … presumably someone thinks it’s a good idea to neither confirm nor deny. That doesn’t actually constitute a confirmation.

(I’m thinking about what Wikimedia does with particularly stupid rumours that grow legs. Mind you, we do actually deny them once they get to the secondary reports. Not that Wikmedia is comparable to Microsoft, we’re much more inept than evil.)

]]> By: AlexH http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-4/#comment-57709 AlexH Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:33:09 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57709 @David: particularly since minimsft seems to be backtracking over the previous rumors, since people rumbled that MS would have to let all the H1-Bs go first. @David: particularly since minimsft seems to be backtracking over the previous rumors, since people rumbled that MS would have to let all the H1-Bs go first.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-3/#comment-57708 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:31:37 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57708 Why did Microsoft decline to comment on (deny) the rumours? Why did Microsoft decline to comment on (deny) the rumours?

]]> By: David Gerard http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-3/#comment-57707 David Gerard Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:28:21 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57707 As I said: all tracing back to Mini-Microsoft comments as the source. All the second sources named in those articles are sourced from minimsft (particularly FUDzilla) with a bit of "analysis" (random opinionation to fill space) or quotes from analysts who don't actually know anything solid either (again, to fill space). The state of tech journalism continues to be dismal. As I said: all tracing back to Mini-Microsoft comments as the source. All the second sources named in those articles are sourced from minimsft (particularly FUDzilla) with a bit of “analysis” (random opinionation to fill space) or quotes from analysts who don’t actually know anything solid either (again, to fill space). The state of tech journalism continues to be dismal.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-3/#comment-57706 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:20:33 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57706 That would be rude. 5 Reasons Why Not to Be Shocked by Microsoft Layoffs http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2009/01/5-reasons-why-not-to-be-shocked-by-microsoft-layoffs.html Microsoft Planning Layoffs? http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-article/18789/microsoft-planning-layoffs Sign of the Times: First-Ever Microsoft Layoffs? http://www.von.com/news/sign-of-times-first-ever-microsoft-layoffs.html Report: "Massive layoff" unlikely at Microsoft http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/158470.asp?source=mypi Microsoft layoff rumors continue their swirl http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/010509-microsoft-layoff-rumors.html Microsoft layoff rumors swirl http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6202771.html Microsoft Mulling Layoffs? http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2009/01/05/microsoft-mulling-layoffs/ Microsoft layoff rumors swirl http://blogs.zdnet.com/sommer/?p=285 IBM, Microsoft, Massive Layoff Rumors http://www.adotas.com/2009/01/ibm-microsoft-massive-layoff-rumors/ Rumor: Microsoft to Cut 15,000 Employees this Month http://www.dailytech.com/Rumor+Microsoft+to+Cut+15000+Employees+this+Month/article13841.htm Microsoft Feels the Economic Pinch http://rcpmag.com/blogs/weblog.aspx?blog=3044 Microsoft Rumored to be Considering Job Cuts http://uk.i4u.com/article22469.html Microsoft restructure rumours abound http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2233271/microsoft-restructure-plans Microsoft prepares to chop workforce in first major jobs cull http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1104450/Microsoft-prepares-chop-workforce-major-jobs-cull.html Microsoft Thinking Over Thousands Of Redundancies http://www.topnews.in/microsoft-thinking-over-thousands-redundancies-2104421 Microsoft To Lay Off [Your Guess Here] http://www.examiner.com/r-5095305~Microsoft_To_Lay_Off__Your_Guess_Here_.html Redundancies on the way at Microsoft? http://www.developmag.com/news/31028/Redundancies-on-the-way-at-Microsoft Rumors Of Microsoft's 15,000 Person Staff Cuts http://www.webpronews.com/blogtalk/2009/01/06/rumors-of-microsofts-15000-person-staff-cuts Stop Shrinking, Microsoft http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2009/01/05/stop-shrinking-microsoft.aspx Thousands of jobs under threat at Microsoft http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/thousands-of-jobs-under-threat-at-microsoft That would be rude.

5 Reasons Why Not to Be Shocked by Microsoft Layoffs

http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2009/01/5-reasons-why-not-to-be-shocked-by-microsoft-layoffs.html

Microsoft Planning Layoffs?

http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-article/18789/microsoft-planning-layoffs

Sign of the Times: First-Ever Microsoft Layoffs?

http://www.von.com/news/sign-of-times-first-ever-microsoft-layoffs.html

Report: “Massive layoff” unlikely at Microsoft

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/158470.asp?source=mypi

Microsoft layoff rumors continue their swirl

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/010509-microsoft-layoff-rumors.html

Microsoft layoff rumors swirl

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6202771.html

Microsoft Mulling Layoffs?

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2009/01/05/microsoft-mulling-layoffs/

Microsoft layoff rumors swirl

http://blogs.zdnet.com/sommer/?p=285

IBM, Microsoft, Massive Layoff Rumors

http://www.adotas.com/2009/01/ibm-microsoft-massive-layoff-rumors/

Rumor: Microsoft to Cut 15,000 Employees this Month

http://www.dailytech.com/Rumor+Microsoft+to+Cut+15000+Employees+this+Month/article13841.htm

Microsoft Feels the Economic Pinch

http://rcpmag.com/blogs/weblog.aspx?blog=3044

Microsoft Rumored to be Considering Job Cuts

http://uk.i4u.com/article22469.html

Microsoft restructure rumours abound

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2233271/microsoft-restructure-plans

Microsoft prepares to chop workforce in first major jobs cull

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1104450/Microsoft-prepares-chop-workforce-major-jobs-cull.html

Microsoft Thinking Over Thousands Of Redundancies

http://www.topnews.in/microsoft-thinking-over-thousands-redundancies-2104421

Microsoft To Lay Off [Your Guess Here]

http://www.examiner.com/r-5095305~Microsoft_To_Lay_Off__Your_Guess_Here_.html

Redundancies on the way at Microsoft?

http://www.developmag.com/news/31028/Redundancies-on-the-way-at-Microsoft

Rumors Of Microsoft’s 15,000 Person Staff Cuts

http://www.webpronews.com/blogtalk/2009/01/06/rumors-of-microsofts-15000-person-staff-cuts

Stop Shrinking, Microsoft

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2009/01/05/stop-shrinking-microsoft.aspx

Thousands of jobs under threat at Microsoft

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/thousands-of-jobs-under-threat-at-microsoft

]]> By: David Gerard http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-3/#comment-57705 David Gerard Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:19:12 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57705 Yeah, everyone's waiting for the other shoe to drop. Popcorn? Yeah, everyone’s waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Popcorn?

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-3/#comment-57671 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:08:12 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57671 Ideally -- yes. Ideally — yes.

]]> By: AlexH http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-2/#comment-57669 AlexH Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:03:07 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57669 Unless they have many thousands of people whose contracts all conveniently come up in January, that's not really going to help them. Plus, they still have to announce it. Anything which can materially affect the company's future performance has to be disclosed, that's how the public stock exchanges work. Unless they have many thousands of people whose contracts all conveniently come up in January, that’s not really going to help them.

Plus, they still have to announce it. Anything which can materially affect the company’s future performance has to be disclosed, that’s how the public stock exchanges work.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-2/#comment-57662 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:52:55 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57662 They can just not renew the contract. They can just not renew the contract.

]]> By: AlexH http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-2/#comment-57660 AlexH Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:47:34 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57660 However they're actually employed, they still need to announce it. However they’re actually employed, they still need to announce it.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-2/#comment-57658 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:41:11 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57658 But they have temps on contracts. But they have temps on contracts.

]]> By: AlexH http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-2/#comment-57657 AlexH Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:39:24 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57657 @Roy: yeah, but that 15k number has basically come from one source if you track it back and everyone else keeps repeating it. MS have to announce the cuts in their quarterly report because a. they affect the stock price and b. they need to comply with labor laws. They can't hide large cuts. @Roy: yeah, but that 15k number has basically come from one source if you track it back and everyone else keeps repeating it.

MS have to announce the cuts in their quarterly report because a. they affect the stock price and b. they need to comply with labor laws. They can’t hide large cuts.

]]> By: David Gerard http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-1/#comment-57656 David Gerard Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:39:19 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57656 @AlexH - oh, absolutely. Even if the anecdotes are true, the plural of "anecdote" still isn't "data." However, it is certainly enough to warrant closer journalistic investigation. (Though the current wave of stories don't really do anything beyond using that minimsft thread as a source, whether stated or not.) @AlexH – oh, absolutely. Even if the anecdotes are true, the plural of “anecdote” still isn’t “data.” However, it is certainly enough to warrant closer journalistic investigation. (Though the current wave of stories don’t really do anything beyond using that minimsft thread as a source, whether stated or not.)

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/comment-page-1/#comment-57654 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:36:58 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2009/01/07/selling-out-to-microsoft/#comment-57654 Not based on the figures that I've been tracking/accumulating (see IRC logs for details). Not based on the figures that I’ve been tracking/accumulating (see IRC logs for details).

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