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.

Technology Stocks : All About Sun Microsystems -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Charles Tutt who wrote (42628)	3/31/2001 5:34:32 PM
From: almaxel	Respond to of 64865

EMOTIONS AND STAKES RUN HIGH AT FORMULA SUN[tm] ONE GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP SANTA CLARA, CA -- March 30, 2001 -- SunStruck, the pranks division of Sun Microsystems, Inc., today announced the first-ever Clocktower Grand Prix -- the Silicon Valley "Formula Sun ONE" race -- to provide a true test of executive-rank driving abilities and tolerance to public humiliation. The championship race features Eddy "Andretti" Zander and "Mika" McNealy, who will drive California clean-air modified Formula 1 race cars (aka golf carts) designed to provide an exciting, yet arduous race. The Clocktower Grand Prix 0.684 mile/.325 km circuit is located in the heart of Silicon Valley at Sun's new world headquarters. The track offers a combination of "fast" straights (up to 12 mph!) and low speed left-hand corners (0.04 degree bank turns), coupled with gusty 3 mph winds and deafening overhead airplane clamor via the nearby airport . Given these circumstances, the Clocktower circuit is among the most challenging and punishing of the Championship. As first reported on ESPN.com, Eddy "Andretti" Zander will drive the big wheel muscle E-Z-GO golf cart (top speed of 14 mph!) owned by iPlanet Racing. This baby features a 16 hp twin "V" cylinder, air-cooled, Briggs & Stratton, Vanguard, 4 cycle engine and features a bicycle-pedal start for that winning edge! Hydraulic brakes in the rear provide sure downhill control (but we don't have any) and instant breaking -- even at peak speeds of 14 mph! Zander hasn't competed since he was banned for excessive speeding violations on public roads in 1999. The 36++-year old veteran has led 382 laps at the speedway but could never elude the California Highway Patrol along Highway 280. Finnish-born "Mika" McNealy, representing the United States, will drive classic Detroit iron: a mini-Escalade modified golf cart, powered by Cadillac Northstar 4-cylinder engine and featuring the OnStar navigational system (Mika's acknowledged handicap is his lack of directional sense, coupled with his inability to simply ask for directions). "This race will be closely watched around the world, since Mika is accustomed to driving cars as big as a golf course. Today is a true test of man versus machine -- it's a challenge that pits Mika against Eddy Andretti in some of the most technologically unadvanced carts on the planet!" exclaimed Mario Presario Ferrario. The Course The Clocktower circuit includes two pit stops that test a driver's speed, accuracy and sense of humor. Pit Stop #1 requires the driver to exit his cart, grab a CPU/memory board and insert it into the new Sun FireTM 3800 server to instantly boost the system's capacity. Pit Stop #2 requires the driver to exit his cart and "slam-dunk" as many software CDs into a basketball hoop within a 30 second timeframe. Any "I am not gonna do this" attitudes are grounds for immediate disqualification. Background Information Identities of the pranksters are held in strictest confidence. Pranks are generally hatched by a small, scattered group of engineers and the intended victim is always a corporate exec (it's considered an honor to be the chosen prank victim). All prank work is done on personal time and expenses are paid by money raised especially for the purpose. This year, we'd also like to thank those vendors (MadMacs, LJ Yanagihara ) who donated their time and services to this noble cause. The pranks are instigated as a reminder to Sun employees that while we work hard, we should also play hard, and that we should enjoy our work environment. We also do it...."because we can." As a result, the annual Sun prank has become an unspoken part of Sun's corporate culture. About Sun Microsystems, Inc. Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision - Kick Butt and Have Fun[tm] -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software, services and Lord-knows-what-else. With $19.2 billion in annual revenues, Sun is a multibillion dollar corporation going about its business wherever it can. The Formula 1 name, its logo and anything remotely to do with real auto racing belong in every way to F1A. We simply do NOT want to mess with those guys! Any word, phrase or sentence beginning with Sun is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Even if there were any mentioned, all other products mentioned herein would not be identified by the trademarks as designated by the companies who market those products because there are entirely too many people worried about that sort of thing these days. Anyone wishing to inquire concerning such trademarks should have their head examined. PR Contacts for Press and Analysts: Sun Microsystems, Inc. Jess Jochen Mass 408-333-1234

To: Charles Tutt who wrote (42628)	3/31/2001 8:24:02 PM
From: techtonicbull	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 64865

Look, Charles, these opportunities do not come around too often. They occur maybe once in 3 to 5 years when you have a quality, well managed company with close to $2 BLN in their treasury including stock holding, with superior technological patents, with a new line of chips making their servers much faster, with a great management team and with the ability to correct mistakes like the ones they have made in storage. This is a company that is actually making money in the current market. This is a company that will be another Hewlet Packard in annual net earnings. I recall when I first bought Sun Microsystems 5 or 6 years ago they were earning $2BLN net per year. Now they are earning something like $15 BLN net earnings. This is an amazing amount of growth. You cannot tell me that such growth will not continue with all the research and innovation that they are devoting a very substantial part of the budget to. I would press the "buy" button on SUNW and I will be adding.