Let me add one other point which plays also to 613's thought about the T deal and that is the fact that the sideline cash has been decimated by last year's losses, and that money is bound and determined not to make a mistake this year so it is going to wait and instead of bottom fishing it will jump on whatever has momentum. The reason NTOP could flounder and not participate is whatever new money came in looking for a bottom will quickly get bored and move to momentum. In that regard, Hawaii, Bink, Herschel, Smear, 613, or anyone who has interacted with IR or any NTOP executives should encourage them to be prepared to release news, strategy updates, forward outlooks, new alliances, etc. to establish catalysts, visibility, interest and momentum. Detailed press releases certainly are within the spirit of fair disclosure as long as they are publically released so there should be no argument about this type of strategy.
The bottom line is that we are at a cross roads where the next winners will be those who successfully compete for the limited tech funds sitting on the sidelines. How NTOP and IDTC accept this challenge will set the tone for the year. If they fail here my strong suggestion is to rotate your funds. That will certainly will be my strategy. I have no loyalties in 2001. Even my IBM gets sold off if it doesn't get sponsorship.
Just MHO of course, |
