Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Rande Is . . . HOME -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rande Is who wrote (43736)	12/18/2000 9:57:56 PM
From: bosquedog	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 57584

Just passing this on: BREAKING NEWS! A STREETLIFE EXCLUSIVE: MICROSOFT AND ORACLE HOLD TALKS: That's right baby! Serwer has just learned that Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, and Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, have recently met to discuss possible partnering and/or working together on facilitating the interaction of their software. WOW!!!!! Both Oracle and MSFT confirmed the meeting, which took place late the week of December 3rd at Oracle's headquarters in Redwood Shores. "Steve called the meeting with Larry to discuss improving interoperability with customers," says Microsoft's Mich Mathews. "We will always compete, but we have many shared customers." (Like the world!) According to an Oracle spokesperson, "discussions centered around making sure the Oracle database runs well on NT." This is a HUGE DEAL!!! Why, you ask? (You have to ask?!?!?) Well, here's some context. These two companies don't like each other. In fact, you could call them enemies. Fierce competitors! On a personal level, Larry and Steve--two of the richest guys on the planet!--aren't crazy about each other either. According to MSFT, the two have never had a business meeting before. (Gates and Ellison have, but that was YEARS ago.) Some folks at Oracle are positively crowing about this development. Here's a note from one Oracle insider: "members of the court of His Larryness call it capitulation. The high tech version of the Gore concession speech." MSFT, naturally, is downplaying this. "If you know Steve, he's always thinking of ways to help our customers," says Mathews. "This is another possible way." Well, I don't know about that. It's hard to imagine MSFT reaching out like this a few years ago!!! But you could say the same about ORCL! Still waiting to hear about any possible follow-up on the meeting. We'll let you know!!! A biggie though!!!