Summary: GNU/Linux leader remains the only one standing (and thriving) despite a tough economy

SOME months ago we wrote about rumours of Apple layoffs and their execution, only to be told off by proponents of Apple. Well, it's a lot more official now:

Apple retail sheds 1,600 full-time positions

[...]

Apple's retail group shed about 1,600 full-time equivalent workers during its second fiscal quarter.

More in The Inquirer and in Gizmodo:

According to figures that somehow failed to make it into the release of Apple's latest quarterly financial results, Apple's retail group shed about 1,600 full-time equivalent workers during its second fiscal quarter.

It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will announce further layoffs [1, 2, 3] after abysmal results [1, 2, 3]. Todd Bishop is now saying that Microsoft profits are down 30% although the accurate number is 32% and the truth may be worse because Microsoft has a history of cooking the books [1, 2] and so do Apple and Novell. Like Apple, Microsoft prefers to keep this a low-profile tidbit and to use euphemisms like "reorgs" or "adjustments" while disengaging with outside contracts, temporary workers, and partners; these are redundancies that Microsoft is not obliged to disclose for the benefit of shareholders. ⬆