02.12.09
Gemini version available ♊︎Shareholder Likens Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates to Bernard Madoff
THIS SUBJECT is not particularly new to us, but for those who are new to it, Microsoft is quickly approaching debt [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] and those who studied the company’s finances have already accused it of creating a giant pyramid scheme. We too have gathered a lot of compelling evidence over the years.
What’s rather interesting today in the news is this report from an accumulation of pro-Microsoft figures in IDG, which is biased in favour of Microsoft for obvious reasons [1, 2]. It states in a reputable news site:
We’ll give you a sneak peek of the third post in the series, a candid interview with an outspoken shareholder who likens Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates to fraudster Bernard Madoff.
They don’t name the person, but the answer ought to arrive pretty soon. The article is mainly a reference to a group of Microsoft shareholders who are calling for Steve Ballmer to be sacked. This is far from the first such call and here is a direct reference to the latest.
If you are a Microsoft shareholder and are frustrated with Mr. Ballmer and Microsoft’s poor performance, we are seeking your support. Shareholders through activism have the ability to effect change. Now is the time to effect change at Microsoft.
Given the earlier exit of yet another Vice President from Microsoft, what might we see next? Ballmer is almost the last man standing among the old chiefs, many of whom left, specially quite recently [1, 2] as the economy — not just Microsoft — declines due to greed and fraud. █
Related accumulations:
Needs Sunlight said,
February 12, 2009 at 2:42 pm
It would not surprise me if some or even most of the yammering about Unc Fester there were only a PR campaign to distance Gates from the pyramid scheme and subsequent collapse. From day 1, it looked like Ballmer’s job was to ride the scam into the ground. After all, Gates did bail when he saw the figures for 1998…
However, SCO and then Novell, have been essential in postponing the popping of the bubble.
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 12, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Is there another source other than The Economist which indicates that Microsoft lost $18 billion in 1998?
Any corroboration would be handy.
David Gerard said,
February 12, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Oh, good Lord. I don’t find it possible to take seriously a group who (a) misspell their own URL (b) keep the misspelt version!
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 12, 2009 at 8:04 pm
We discussed this group in IRC today. It does seem a tad dodgy.