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 : IMOT, the Yahoo of China?? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Elllk who wrote (556)	3/17/1999 9:31:00 AM
From: Retired41	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 781

Larry, you must be my age range, but I am now a reformed hippie. I just had to get pragmatic. My motivations are NOT political in nature, but the political realities of the situation need to be recognized. Fact: China has no capability to even deliver reliable phone service in their largest urban areas. (this is partly due to not having any desire to link the masses -- but then you also must realize that they simply cannot do the work either) Fact: There is no loosening of internet/communications in China. In fact in January several people were just sent to prison for trying to establish internet connections. All you hear about is the fact that some of those in the power structure of the country are allowed access. The news you picked up is several months old and the most recent news is that the premiere reversed the more liberal position and started to crack down. Yes he was pressured into it, but the party still holds power. You gotta realize that the Gorbachev experience scares the hell out of China's communist party leaders. Remember Gorbie never wanted things to go close to as far as they did. Fact: 1/3 market share produces GROSS sales of $150,000 for six months Fact: they don't report anything and aren't subject to U.S. laws Fact: Senate is having hearings as we speak about deteriorating relations with China Fact: The Chinese people have far more pressing economic needs than to even think about buying a computer. Food, clothing and shelter are quite important. Fact: China's one child per couple policy is going to turn economic demographics upside down there in the next 25 years. At least in their more prosperous urban areas -- still not known if it will work in rural isolated communities as they might not enforce it as vigorously. Fact: Buying computers and software is completely different from having an internet capability. All those executives "sniffing" around China, are doing exactly that -- sniffing. If they succeed they will be selling hardware and software to the government. They will not be installing phone lines to the 99+% of the population that has no phone wire to their house. Fact: Every time the Chinese communist party has started to loosen their grip even a little they pull back on reforms. EVERY geopolitical theorist that has written on the subject states that China is simply not ready. Fact: virtually NO respected economist sees the internet, or spending to establish the infrastructure to enable it, as a potential in the next 10 years in China. Fact: I love Cleveland. Go Indians, and we are really looking forward to the Browns return. (P.S. Go Buckeyes, beat Auburn) I was just using an analogy. The maximum projected market potential equates to that in the northeast Ohio metro area (Cleveland/Akron/Canton). So my point was that this is far from a country sized area that would get anyone worked up about investing in. Fact: I agree the potential of China is enormous, but when? It is a huge prize that has confounded those trying to capture it. So, be careful, do what you want, but for goodness sake get realistic. IMOT puts forth absolutely no evidence that it is not a scam. Why is that? Even with rigorous disclosure, and exposure to U.S. laws and prison terms, you have significant frauds that took place like Cendant and Sunbeam. (Does the name Ivan Boesky ring a bell?) What do you think is happening at IMOT? They have virtually no rules, and have so far refused to even pay attention to standard business practices. Good luck and save the whales.