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 : RealNetworks (NASDAQ:RNWK) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: George Martin who wrote (2246)	4/2/1999 10:59:00 PM
From: George Martin	Respond to of 5843

To BAM and others -- addendum to post #2246 After speculation on RNWK - QCOM (fanciful) alliance, as a QCOM SH, I remembered MSFT's "investment" in QCOM which would nix or try to nix any RNWK alliance. When I think of MSFT and "investment" in a smaller, promising prospect, I think of a shark "investing" in the side of a bleeding shank -- after it's all over one could of both the shark and MSFT, 'they did put a lot of effort, interest and attention in the encounter -- what more could you ask ?' Finally, to bring this OT on track, Glaser knows what it's like to be with the shark and what it's like to be shark bait -- remember the one day hit when MSFT sold all its shares -- and he seems to know how to survive and hopefully thrive. Good luck - George Martin

To: George Martin who wrote (2246)	4/3/1999 12:36:00 AM
From: B. A. Marlow	Respond to of 5843

Just wanted to get this thing "streaming," George. Not pushing the probability of a RNWK/old media merger because that tends to run into the "not invented here" syndrome. For example, if DIS/SEEK were to acquire RNWK, the old media generals would scramble for other alternatives, perhaps even MSFT. Not that they'd have to, mind you, but you're confronting big egos there. One thing that comes out of the YHOO/BCST merger is YHOO's reiteration that it's "agnostic" with respect to technology. Wants to stay above the fray, build an "open" AOL, and support everybody's widget. This is a smart strategy, but RNWK's awfully tempting for others with less to lose. Does AOL care about standards-independence? What about ATHM? You see the point, Harmon sees the point. For a telco or old media acquirer, the issue of dilution is a big one. T would do it though ATHM/XCIT, and DIS would do it through SEEK. For others who haven't yet created "Net currency," it's dicey. Just how would WCOM do it? What about TWX? Paul Allen was pretty smart to grab GNET, wasn't he? Vulcan's got a great starship to ride now. So the list of suitors is long, and there's only one RNWK. Any wonder the stock's now a high-flyer? Looks like it's taking every Jane Doe streamer along with it, too. See you're rockin' with wireless. That comment was more provocative than urgent, but still, it's not far off! So sure, Rob G. can build a giant and "just say no" to the crowd. But if he goes it alone, we'll be hounding him for scale, and quickly. BAM