Let's relax Joe, Steve, et al:
You'd think we were living out some tragedy. We are only in a technology revolution that undergoing massive transitional change. Does anybody other than Bill Gates really think there's a crystal ball out there? Ease up a little.
I happen to think Gate's has massively overreached. You think all the sharp minds watching this world global network unfold are going to fold their hands to Billy so early in the game? What a fascinating, idyllic thought.
As for the bottom line and what's right, come on Joe...don't let those cynical brain waves get the better of you. Sure, I understand your frustration and anger concerning Novell. Do you really think this company is going to simply "fold up its tent and go home?" If you do, then God help you. And why all the angst and drama? You sound as if this whole story is somehow balanced on your personal "world view". Granted I get "your picture". But this is while you no longer have a position in Novell. Can't you shake the thrill or satisfaction you get from exercising the power of your pen? In Japan corporations pay people like you to keep quiet. But this is America. You have every right to say whatever you want. That's whats great about this country and this medium. But can you bring some more balance to your editorials?
As for me, when I look at Microsoft I see more vulnerabilities that strengths. They've lost their focus. Their stock is way overvalued and they know it. At these prices, they no longer have the kind of flexibility they used to have to use their stock as an incentive tool. Look at the thousands of contract workers they have hired out over the last 3-5 years - from Volt and other cos. That's all Gates can afford when your spread as thin as he is across so many different fronts. I truely believe Gates really thinks he can pull off a lasting controlling point of power over the entire world's information infrastructure - the entry/exit ramps and the highways in between of the emerging Global Network.
But here he must resort to hiring technology migrant workers? I know several MS employees - I went to high school and have family in the NW. Most seem to be thinking about what their going to do with their money when they jump off the ship in the next 1-4 years. This is just my opinion, but they are not as hungry as they used to be.
Its as if the years and years of bluffing and blowing players away are finally coming home to roost. And Paul you can forget about the handshake on Marthas Vinyard. Clinton is a dead duck. He's got his own problems. What do I see? Literally hundreds of careers in the process of being made on the dismantling of this arrogant colossus. Laugh all you want, but we are at a crossroads.
Novell is moving ahead. They've turned the corner. NDS is getting more than its share of attention. BorderManager is white-hot. They are booking sales. Cry, rant and rave all you want, but - BOD's notwithstanding - there is a "new" Novell emerging.
Why would Gate's try to pull off such a ballbustingly arrogant move to weaken NDS for NT when MS is already under so much DOJ scrutiny? Because he knows he can't deliver 5.0 until mid '99. With K2 all the rage, you can kiss 5.0 introduction goodbye until at least mid 2000. By that time the dismantling of MS into two cos. - an OS versus software application co. - will be not just speculation. And by that time the rise of Java will be the next wave to really get on and ride.
The whole thing is a house of cards IMHO. The world is onto the man. The King indeed has no clothes. But go ahead and worship, rant and rave with all the comparisons you want. IBM was in its own fix not long ago. IBM, too, had a focus problem. I don't see Novell having a focus problem anymore. They are moving into their niche with laser-like intensity.
This is not ment as a barb for I really don't have time to banter back and forth on this thread as many of you seem to be good at doing.
I am long Novell because the turnaround potential is just too big to pass up.
Good luck! |
