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 : FirstWave Technologies (FSTW) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Buddy M who wrote (7220)	12/20/2002 9:51:07 PM
From: TEDennis	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9677

Buddy: This thread is not FSTW's "booster club". If that's what you're looking for, join the "Friends of Firstwave" email list. They'll gladly send you all the good news you can stand. re: please don't try and influence me. I'm not. I'm presenting information, and offering my opinions on it. Just like you would discuss over coffee whatever your favorite topic of conversation is. You can read and consider what I have to say, or you can ignore it like Hank says he does. re: why continue hanging around if you are not happy Who says I'm not happy? I'm way up on my FSTW investing/trading activities. That doesn't mean I have to support what they're doing now, or how they're doing it. And, it doesn't mean I have to keep my opinions to myself. re: MSFT will lose millions in their XBox venture - what makes you think they will make a dent in CRM. Just the fact that you asked that question in the context of XBox indicates you don't have a good grasp of the dynamics of the software industry. There are many divided opinions on MSFT's CRM impact that range all the way from "not much impact" to "look out!". Do some research on the opinions of those who make a living in (or off of) the CRM sector. re: CA: If you disregard their influence, you might be surprised. Their past makes them a threat, and so does their present. They're not babes in the woods by any means. Here's a question for you: Do you think that Version 8.0 (released in July 2002) was "an explosive improvement for eCRM, one that will shake up the CRM industry" ? If not, then perhaps you might want to contemplate some of the other statements being made. Regards, TED

To: Buddy M who wrote (7220)	12/20/2002 10:40:09 PM
From: McNabb Brothers	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9677

Buddy, Enjoy the holidays and just wait a few months and IMO you will be happier then than you are now! You will not change Bob or Ted so why post to them, let Richard and company prove what they can do and we will enjoy what we think FSTW has the ability to do! They both have sold out and it's higher now than when they sold out, at least Bob's is, so you sit back and enjoy the $13.50 over the weekend that you and the other longs have and lets see what the next 6 to 18 months bring us! Hank

To: Buddy M who wrote (7220)	12/20/2002 11:53:56 PM
From: Mike M	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9677

Buddy, don't get discouraged just because TED's comments are loosely intended to undermine optimism. I, for one, find his comments helpful in understanding the business. He's just doing the same thing we all are and that is making his bet on FSTW's potential for success. You know where he stands and can choose to ignore him or read what he has to say. I agree with you that FSTW doesn't have to beat MSFT, ORCL, CA or any other company at their own game. They only have to do "something" better than those guys and they will succeed. Sure the CRM market is crowded. But, there is always going to be room for niche players and, for now, that's probably what FSTW is...they may even remain just a niche player and still succeed...or they may decide that isn't enough and go after the whole enchilada. TED's insight on the Football deal is interesting. It gnaws at him how that deal landed. It hardly gnaws at me, but I am intrigued. It doesn't, however, surprise me. That kind of business will continue to confound the naysayers. For now, these kinds of successes can be numbered and hence ridiculed. They are, however, far more important for what they represent with regard to future business opportunities. Referrals and customer satisfaction is the name of the game. One client at a time. I know it's bothersome that the Bobsey twins'<g> approaches have been very one sided, but it's to be understood, given their issues. Still, you cannot get this kind of insight without the technical expertise and background of guys like TED. His historical perspective and knowledge of the facts as they are revealed give him plenty of basis for opinion. Were he able to share the FSTW vision and determine first hand how these business relationships actually developed, his insight would be even more valuable. Since he cannot and because things develop so rapidly in this industry, his predictive value becomes significantly less useful over time. Chaos theory 101... We all know that Brock/FSTW has been through various phases and the management upheaval has left a checkered past. Without faith in the top guy who took back the helm a few years ago, there is little reason to pick FSTW out from a crowd and confer success. The Bobsey twins have honed in on the negative and are making their beds accordingly. So, at least you know where they are coming from. Frankly, if I didn't have any faith in RTB, then I might be inclined to agree with them. In my investing history (about 34 years) I have found that it pays to search out those people who have the greatest understanding of their industry, the business they are in, and who will tenaciously mold the company into their own image. Brock Intl lost that when McIntyre and his immediate predecessors were at the helm and anyone who insists on holding the company to its history cannot overlook that. There are even those trite comments "history repeats itself" to hang their hats on... I clearly believe that what they lost during the "wandering years" is back and here to stay. I, furthermore, have a far deeper respect for the importance of intimate customer relationships, referrals etc than apparently do the twins. Those are the strengths and the cornerstone of this company. Well, we shall see. In the last six or eight months, few companies have had the relative success that FSTW has. Is it an anomaly as the twins would argue or is there more to come...You and I have made our bets and are enjoying the results thus far. Don't let their tone steal a second of your joy. Instead, try to separate the wisdom from the prune juice and be prepared to goodnaturedly chide them if the stock continues to reward the longs. If it doesn't, then we can thank TED for his insight and futile attempt to educate us...<g> I just hope they'll have the temerity to attend our Brock 20/60 party so we can proffer them financial advice and humble pie...(or German chocolate cake...<g>) Buddy you have become a good friend and I look forward to the day we get together for that long anticipated event...:o)