Perki's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/190532/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/171866-intrinsic-value-and-warren-buffett-s-bnsf-purchase?source=feed#comment-749799 749799
The motivation to buy seems fairly simple:
He wanted a "big" acquisition, to move out of USD and into hard assets. Railroads are a dependable but boring business, and when you have an extraordinary manager like Mr. Rose, who can squeeze a bit of extra profit out of it, you have a profitable situation with stable returns.

Restructuring LT debt with the better credit rating of Berk, and you already have a nice reduction in interest expenses.

Asset heavy companies do well in inflationary environments, railroads can increase market share, vis-a-vis trucking, in times of high petroleum prices.]]> Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:44:50 -0500
The motivation to buy seems fairly simple:
He wanted a "big" acquisition, to move out of USD and into hard assets. Railroads are a dependable but boring business, and when you have an extraordinary manager like Mr. Rose, who can squeeze a bit of extra profit out of it, you have a profitable situation with stable returns.

Restructuring LT debt with the better credit rating of Berk, and you already have a nice reduction in interest expenses.

Asset heavy companies do well in inflationary environments, railroads can increase market share, vis-a-vis trucking, in times of high petroleum prices.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/116676-burlington-northern-santa-fe-all-aboard-one-of-the-best-railroads?source=feed#comment-745782 745782 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:04:22 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/168697-why-apple-is-worth-80?source=feed#comment-732236 732236
The result? Many strong products that are each in different phases of their life-cycle, and then a synergistic effect ( iPhone users switching to Mac Desktops), making this company's revenue projections extraordinarily complex looking out 10 years.

One fact remains, though Steve Jobs participation may have little effect on year to year results, ten years out, he has is a huge effect.]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:19:39 -0400
The result? Many strong products that are each in different phases of their life-cycle, and then a synergistic effect ( iPhone users switching to Mac Desktops), making this company's revenue projections extraordinarily complex looking out 10 years.

One fact remains, though Steve Jobs participation may have little effect on year to year results, ten years out, he has is a huge effect.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168697-why-apple-is-worth-80?source=feed#comment-732223 732223
However, I found, on an individual company basis, that a model that does not back-test 5 − 10yrs reasonably well, will not usually do well in the future.

So, based on the numbers for AAPL 10 years ago, how did your favorite model do in predicting prices of the stock?]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:13:23 -0400
However, I found, on an individual company basis, that a model that does not back-test 5 − 10yrs reasonably well, will not usually do well in the future.

So, based on the numbers for AAPL 10 years ago, how did your favorite model do in predicting prices of the stock?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/165166-japanese-banks-it-ain-t-so-if-you-say-it-ain-t-so?source=feed#comment-706833 706833
Yes, when we switched our "Official" unemployment rate, in the late '90's, from the U-5 (currently 11.1%) to the U-3 number (currently 9.8%) and though we still ignored the real number, U-6 (currently at 17%), we improved the economy measurably.

Now, if we changed the "Official" number to the U-1 figure, our unemployment would instantly drop to 5.4%. Problem solved! ]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:20:40 -0400
Yes, when we switched our "Official" unemployment rate, in the late '90's, from the U-5 (currently 11.1%) to the U-3 number (currently 9.8%) and though we still ignored the real number, U-6 (currently at 17%), we improved the economy measurably.

Now, if we changed the "Official" number to the U-1 figure, our unemployment would instantly drop to 5.4%. Problem solved! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/152909-cash-for-clunkers-may-cost-up-to-45-354-per-vehicle?source=feed#comment-610597 610597 I believe the scrapping of 200,000 cars, provides an underestimated benefit to the auto industry, and indirectly but significantly, the financial industry.

The value of every used car in inventory, or held as collateral, will increase immediately due to the removal of 200,000 units. Granted, the increase may be small on an individual car basis, but quite significant across the millions of cars the financial industry is "holding" in auto inventory and consumer financing.]]> Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:39:35 -0400 I believe the scrapping of 200,000 cars, provides an underestimated benefit to the auto industry, and indirectly but significantly, the financial industry.

The value of every used car in inventory, or held as collateral, will increase immediately due to the removal of 200,000 units. Granted, the increase may be small on an individual car basis, but quite significant across the millions of cars the financial industry is "holding" in auto inventory and consumer financing.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148469-six-myths-about-smart-grid?source=feed#comment-587461 587461

On Jul 14 09:27 AM drzarkov wrote:

> One thing the smart grid will do: make it easier for hackers to shut
> down the entire nation's power grid with a single attack. I'm all
> in favor of interconnecting the grid to enable shipping of power
> across regions, which will enable wind and solar power to be used
> in Eastern metro areas. I predict that most will reject the idea
> that the government should decide what temperature their house should
> be. Subsidizing the system to provide an artificially low price
> will increase, not decrease the cost of living, due to the need to
> increase taxes to cover the cost. The author is an imbecile.]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:10:19 -0400

On Jul 14 09:27 AM drzarkov wrote:

> One thing the smart grid will do: make it easier for hackers to shut
> down the entire nation's power grid with a single attack. I'm all
> in favor of interconnecting the grid to enable shipping of power
> across regions, which will enable wind and solar power to be used
> in Eastern metro areas. I predict that most will reject the idea
> that the government should decide what temperature their house should
> be. Subsidizing the system to provide an artificially low price
> will increase, not decrease the cost of living, due to the need to
> increase taxes to cover the cost. The author is an imbecile.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148469-six-myths-about-smart-grid?source=feed#comment-587451 587451
I installed a simple power monitor that shows the KW being used at the moment, right in my web browser tool bar. I literally use 40% less energy.

I glance at the toolbar, it is showing 3kw, and I realize i left the coffee pot on. Seems like a little thing, but 1.1KW coffee maker heat production requires 2KW of additional A/C energy to compensate. It makes a difference!

Also, moving high wattage appliances (to evenings or low usage times) has a huge effect on the future base-load investment of the power company. It can delay or eliminate the future cost of very expensive base-load plants. Energy late at night is very cheap. If these savings are passed on, then the savings can be substantial.
]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:04:44 -0400
I installed a simple power monitor that shows the KW being used at the moment, right in my web browser tool bar. I literally use 40% less energy.

I glance at the toolbar, it is showing 3kw, and I realize i left the coffee pot on. Seems like a little thing, but 1.1KW coffee maker heat production requires 2KW of additional A/C energy to compensate. It makes a difference!

Also, moving high wattage appliances (to evenings or low usage times) has a huge effect on the future base-load investment of the power company. It can delay or eliminate the future cost of very expensive base-load plants. Energy late at night is very cheap. If these savings are passed on, then the savings can be substantial.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/141915-shiller-expect-more-home-price-declines?source=feed#comment-538420 538420 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:40:12 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/128436-setting-the-record-straight-on-saas?source=feed#comment-445147 445147
In other words, Forrester Research projections are a good way to tell what is NOT going to happen.




]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:35:45 -0400
In other words, Forrester Research projections are a good way to tell what is NOT going to happen.




]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/118438-nyt-broadband-story-self-fulfilling-prophecies-make-bad-journalism?source=feed#comment-375447 375447
Using "follow the money" as a critical thinking strategy when evaluating "news" is useful.

No where more evident than in the case of the NYT and a employee-reporter. When broadband is more convenient than the newsstand, well that is proving to be a money outflow problem for the NYT. ]]> Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:26:04 -0500
Using "follow the money" as a critical thinking strategy when evaluating "news" is useful.

No where more evident than in the case of the NYT and a employee-reporter. When broadband is more convenient than the newsstand, well that is proving to be a money outflow problem for the NYT. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/115393-how-far-to-a-housing-bottom?source=feed#comment-360683 360683
When you look at Case-Shiller data by metro area, those that went up the most, are going down the most, but stilll back to 2002 pricing.
Note that regional variations in home prices are great, but a common factor is a return to each geographical areas home prices of 2002-2003. See tinyurl.com/7hovj6

]]> Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:39:54 -0500
When you look at Case-Shiller data by metro area, those that went up the most, are going down the most, but stilll back to 2002 pricing.
Note that regional variations in home prices are great, but a common factor is a return to each geographical areas home prices of 2002-2003. See tinyurl.com/7hovj6

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/115138-why-the-housing-stats-are-lumpy?source=feed#comment-358472 358472
Those that went up the most are coming down the most. See for self.

I have plotted historical Case-Schiller data by metro area over the last 21 years. The graph tells the story. tinyurl.com/7hovj6
]]> Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:07:38 -0500
Those that went up the most are coming down the most. See for self.

I have plotted historical Case-Schiller data by metro area over the last 21 years. The graph tells the story. tinyurl.com/7hovj6
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114995-what-will-happen-to-all-that-money-the-government-s-making?source=feed#comment-357241 357241
So where did the $15 trillion go? In theory, someone was on the other side of that transaction. A balancing entry had to be made...

Maybe I think about these things too deeply.



On Jan 15 10:32 PM curbs-in wrote:

> Seriously,
>
> Look at page 113
>
> www.federalreserve.gov...
>
> The loss of wealth from Q4 2007 to Q3 2008 was about $8 trillion.
> For 2008, all assets may have lost around $15 trillion or more.
> The Fed is using a peashooter against an atomic bomb. Won't work.
> No way, no how.
>
> These bailouts are all for the appearance of an economy -- a psudo-economy,
> but we are in a steep dive and going down faster and faster.
>
> Confidence? The likes of Bernanke, Pelosi, Frank and Dodd sitting
> at the same table... Confidence? How could anyone have confidence,
> when ever quarter Bernanke has to pump-up the banks to the tune of
> $350 billion so they'll look like their solvent?
>
> CNBC, CNN-Money, Bloomberg and the usual media hype suspects are
> not doing the trick this time. People are hip to their buy, buy,
> buy scams and are sick of it.
>
> Confidence... Someday... When the government gets its nose out of
> every aspect of the market system.]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:04:33 -0500
So where did the $15 trillion go? In theory, someone was on the other side of that transaction. A balancing entry had to be made...

Maybe I think about these things too deeply.



On Jan 15 10:32 PM curbs-in wrote:

> Seriously,
>
> Look at page 113
>
> www.federalreserve.gov...
>
> The loss of wealth from Q4 2007 to Q3 2008 was about $8 trillion.
> For 2008, all assets may have lost around $15 trillion or more.
> The Fed is using a peashooter against an atomic bomb. Won't work.
> No way, no how.
>
> These bailouts are all for the appearance of an economy -- a psudo-economy,
> but we are in a steep dive and going down faster and faster.
>
> Confidence? The likes of Bernanke, Pelosi, Frank and Dodd sitting
> at the same table... Confidence? How could anyone have confidence,
> when ever quarter Bernanke has to pump-up the banks to the tune of
> $350 billion so they'll look like their solvent?
>
> CNBC, CNN-Money, Bloomberg and the usual media hype suspects are
> not doing the trick this time. People are hip to their buy, buy,
> buy scams and are sick of it.
>
> Confidence... Someday... When the government gets its nose out of
> every aspect of the market system.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114914-oil-price-lower-on-inventory-numbers-but-it-can-t-go-much-lower?source=feed#comment-357176 357176
The first warning sign will be defaults on delivery obligations for crude oil futures contracts. Given the current economic situation, any thing can happen.
]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:48:30 -0500
The first warning sign will be defaults on delivery obligations for crude oil futures contracts. Given the current economic situation, any thing can happen.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114995-what-will-happen-to-all-that-money-the-government-s-making?source=feed#comment-357168 357168
Maybe the creation of the Federal Reserve and the leveraged banking system that is the heart of world's financial market wins hands down.


]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:28:23 -0500
Maybe the creation of the Federal Reserve and the leveraged banking system that is the heart of world's financial market wins hands down.


]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114491-apple-s-the-stock-best-days-may-be-behind-it-try-thoratec-instead?source=feed#comment-356221 356221
Is this the pump and dump thread with an AAPL subject line?

Sorry, you have been scammed. Well maybe you are part of the scam?

Anyone else just go to:

www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/br...

There, you can read all about nothing but how much restricted stock they are giving away on this fine little company that offers $900 in stock options when they lose $2.7 ml on $3.5ml revenue and suffer recalls and defective products and more...

What ARE you smoking?

On Jan 14 01:02 PM L. SMITH wrote:

> The stock I love most happens to be one of the "falling angels" (fell
> below $1) .
>
> When a stock fell below $1, many mutual funds dumped.



> Thermogenesis (seekingalpha.com/symbo...) had a minor product
> recall at the worst time of stock market.
>
> No debt, plenty of cash, new products coming out on schedule, no
> real competition on products offered and just about to become profitable
> for the 1st time. Do your dd before investing as always.]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:47:46 -0500
Is this the pump and dump thread with an AAPL subject line?

Sorry, you have been scammed. Well maybe you are part of the scam?

Anyone else just go to:

www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/br...

There, you can read all about nothing but how much restricted stock they are giving away on this fine little company that offers $900 in stock options when they lose $2.7 ml on $3.5ml revenue and suffer recalls and defective products and more...

What ARE you smoking?

On Jan 14 01:02 PM L. SMITH wrote:

> The stock I love most happens to be one of the "falling angels" (fell
> below $1) .
>
> When a stock fell below $1, many mutual funds dumped.



> Thermogenesis (seekingalpha.com/symbo...) had a minor product
> recall at the worst time of stock market.
>
> No debt, plenty of cash, new products coming out on schedule, no
> real competition on products offered and just about to become profitable
> for the 1st time. Do your dd before investing as always.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114754-crude-reality-how-long-can-oil-stay-down?source=feed#comment-356194 356194 ]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:05:01 -0500 ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/113447-apple-a-question-of-leadership?source=feed#comment-356179 356179
In marketing, this is known as the "cash-cow" phase. The most profitable phase. A phase that investors in high-tech outfits disdain--so programmed they are to look for the next "hot thing" they miss the most profitable "cash-cows".

Microsoft has a good number of years as a cash-cow, as long as the management does not waste capital in fruitless efforts to make the company an innovator again. IBM did it to some extent; Microsoft cannot.

Best to return to the investors the most possible return while realizing that a big company cannot innovate in the face of lots of very nimble competition. A good anology here is a large oilfield, it will decline, profitably, in production. You can do a few cost effective things to tweak production, but you can never bring it back to its maximum rate of production. Oil executives know this.

Frankly, a good oil executive would be a good person to run Microsoft, and in the future, Apple (Yeah, I know, the Pepsi guy wasn't so hot).

Apple too is moving into this phase. The lack of innovative new products recently can be traced directly to Steve Jobs health. His declining input since his health problems began (years ago) are starting to show in the current low innovation. See this article to get an idea of his impact on a new product. www.wired.com/gadgets/...

It is not all about health, it is about energy. Bill Gates lost enthusiasm without losing health, after the most remarkable journey from entrepreneur to successfully running a very large company every seen in the history of business.

I wish Steve Jobs well and say "well done". He is leaving a good company for investors that see a value in "cash - cows". When AAPL is falling from favor with the Valley-set, and the 8-10 times earnings prices set in, I will be there.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:40:12 -0500
In marketing, this is known as the "cash-cow" phase. The most profitable phase. A phase that investors in high-tech outfits disdain--so programmed they are to look for the next "hot thing" they miss the most profitable "cash-cows".

Microsoft has a good number of years as a cash-cow, as long as the management does not waste capital in fruitless efforts to make the company an innovator again. IBM did it to some extent; Microsoft cannot.

Best to return to the investors the most possible return while realizing that a big company cannot innovate in the face of lots of very nimble competition. A good anology here is a large oilfield, it will decline, profitably, in production. You can do a few cost effective things to tweak production, but you can never bring it back to its maximum rate of production. Oil executives know this.

Frankly, a good oil executive would be a good person to run Microsoft, and in the future, Apple (Yeah, I know, the Pepsi guy wasn't so hot).

Apple too is moving into this phase. The lack of innovative new products recently can be traced directly to Steve Jobs health. His declining input since his health problems began (years ago) are starting to show in the current low innovation. See this article to get an idea of his impact on a new product. www.wired.com/gadgets/...

It is not all about health, it is about energy. Bill Gates lost enthusiasm without losing health, after the most remarkable journey from entrepreneur to successfully running a very large company every seen in the history of business.

I wish Steve Jobs well and say "well done". He is leaving a good company for investors that see a value in "cash - cows". When AAPL is falling from favor with the Valley-set, and the 8-10 times earnings prices set in, I will be there.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114544-finding-underpriced-assets-in-a-monetary-crisis?source=feed#comment-356170 356170
Much like the American dollar has been a standard. Now really finance is all a faith-based exercise. I BELIEVE that my bank will return my money when I ask, I BELIEVE gold is a rock-solid-over-the-ag... standard of value. I BELIEVE the dollar is a safe-haven because the US Government is standing behind it, etc.

The issue we have now is that the things we have believed are safe are showing us otherwise by falling like a string of dominoes.

Gold is not immune from this questioning. Pants and shoes though, may have REAL lasting value. Well, as long as it is fashionable to wear them.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:05:00 -0500
Much like the American dollar has been a standard. Now really finance is all a faith-based exercise. I BELIEVE that my bank will return my money when I ask, I BELIEVE gold is a rock-solid-over-the-ag... standard of value. I BELIEVE the dollar is a safe-haven because the US Government is standing behind it, etc.

The issue we have now is that the things we have believed are safe are showing us otherwise by falling like a string of dominoes.

Gold is not immune from this questioning. Pants and shoes though, may have REAL lasting value. Well, as long as it is fashionable to wear them.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114697-obama-s-tarp-2-signals-an-end-to-mark-to-market?source=feed#comment-355898 355898
A mortgage is a long term security much like a bond, so you would contend that the market value today of a specific long-term bond is not an accurate valuation for a financial firm that owns it?


On Jan 14 02:10 PM Jason Schwarz wrote:

> Mark to market has turned the investment world into a group of fearful
> day traders. The health of our financial system should never be
> tied so closely to short term real estate fluctuations. Marking
> long term securities at short term valuations makes no sense at all.
> We need to provide our great banks like Bank of America, JP Morgan,
> Wells Fargo, etc... with a better system to be able to weather future
> real estate corrections. Returning to a system that values the long
> term over the short term is severely needed. This post-Enron experiment
> has gone terribly wrong and I am continually shocked that the masses
> don't see it.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:41:43 -0500
A mortgage is a long term security much like a bond, so you would contend that the market value today of a specific long-term bond is not an accurate valuation for a financial firm that owns it?


On Jan 14 02:10 PM Jason Schwarz wrote:

> Mark to market has turned the investment world into a group of fearful
> day traders. The health of our financial system should never be
> tied so closely to short term real estate fluctuations. Marking
> long term securities at short term valuations makes no sense at all.
> We need to provide our great banks like Bank of America, JP Morgan,
> Wells Fargo, etc... with a better system to be able to weather future
> real estate corrections. Returning to a system that values the long
> term over the short term is severely needed. This post-Enron experiment
> has gone terribly wrong and I am continually shocked that the masses
> don't see it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114698-january-s-fdic-community-reinvestment-action-examinations-show-healthy-lending?source=feed#comment-355362 355362
]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:27:49 -0500
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114697-obama-s-tarp-2-signals-an-end-to-mark-to-market?source=feed#comment-355355 355355
All mortgages, regardless of underlying debtor quality, have the same face value? Again, I must be missing something. Just having a new president, even if it were one with depth of economic experience and education (Volker?) could hardly eliminate the need to mark assets to market.

However, I do see that it would eliminate all of the paper losses of the financial industry in one fell swoop. Then, it would not appear as though we have any problems at all in the financial industry and no more bailout funds would be needed.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:21:03 -0500
All mortgages, regardless of underlying debtor quality, have the same face value? Again, I must be missing something. Just having a new president, even if it were one with depth of economic experience and education (Volker?) could hardly eliminate the need to mark assets to market.

However, I do see that it would eliminate all of the paper losses of the financial industry in one fell swoop. Then, it would not appear as though we have any problems at all in the financial industry and no more bailout funds would be needed.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/113274-admissions-of-spin-at-the-nar?source=feed#comment-347019 347019
Wow, I bet the dues paying Realtors that depend on that advice will be a bit surprised to hear this!]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:12:47 -0500
Wow, I bet the dues paying Realtors that depend on that advice will be a bit surprised to hear this!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/113274-admissions-of-spin-at-the-nar?source=feed#comment-347017 347017
]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:10:07 -0500
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/111405-opec-cuts-oil-falls-something-s-not-sustainable?source=feed#comment-333698 333698
Hint: Research the investment required to produce one megawatt of "alternative energy". How much capital would be required to meet just 10% of the US electricity needs ? What is the internal rate of return assuming various interest rates and a range of non-renewable ( natural gas or coal ) energy prices?

The amount of capital needed will astound you. This amount of capital invested in energy production may raise interest rates to levels that will eliminate any possibility of a return. So, who will make this investment?

That is the heart of the issue. That is why we have no choice but to use military means at this time.

Conservation through human behavioral change offers the hope of reducing the cost of energy by reducing demand. However, any reductions here are more that offset by growth in other developing nations.]]> Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:46:18 -0500
Hint: Research the investment required to produce one megawatt of "alternative energy". How much capital would be required to meet just 10% of the US electricity needs ? What is the internal rate of return assuming various interest rates and a range of non-renewable ( natural gas or coal ) energy prices?

The amount of capital needed will astound you. This amount of capital invested in energy production may raise interest rates to levels that will eliminate any possibility of a return. So, who will make this investment?

That is the heart of the issue. That is why we have no choice but to use military means at this time.

Conservation through human behavioral change offers the hope of reducing the cost of energy by reducing demand. However, any reductions here are more that offset by growth in other developing nations.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109590-goldman-sachs-as-an-internet-bank-pleeease?source=feed#comment-329699 329699
If Goldman and the Treasury/Fed are expecting widespread bank failures, there may be an opportunity for a house that can quickly take over and assimilate a large number of banks.

An aggressive company with a strong information tech resources and access to federal funding like Goldman can do high volume bank takeovers. Utilizing online banking and closing of local "brick and mortor" facilities and laying off local staff.

Frankly, it would be possible to take over a large number of banks overnight with a good IT framework in place. I suspect Goldman may be building just such an a framework.

Of course, I am just guessing here and have no inside information. ]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:20:23 -0500
If Goldman and the Treasury/Fed are expecting widespread bank failures, there may be an opportunity for a house that can quickly take over and assimilate a large number of banks.

An aggressive company with a strong information tech resources and access to federal funding like Goldman can do high volume bank takeovers. Utilizing online banking and closing of local "brick and mortor" facilities and laying off local staff.

Frankly, it would be possible to take over a large number of banks overnight with a good IT framework in place. I suspect Goldman may be building just such an a framework.

Of course, I am just guessing here and have no inside information. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109960-is-the-microsoft-empire-cracking?source=feed#comment-325016 325016 Now, so much work can be accomplished ( Email, documents, spreadsheets, photo manipulation, programing etc) without using your operating system or local software for anything other than it's web browser.

So the Windows vs Linux vs OS x argument on the desktop will soon be moot. It really doesn't matter what O/S you are using if you are just using a browser.
]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:53:02 -0500 Now, so much work can be accomplished ( Email, documents, spreadsheets, photo manipulation, programing etc) without using your operating system or local software for anything other than it's web browser.

So the Windows vs Linux vs OS x argument on the desktop will soon be moot. It really doesn't matter what O/S you are using if you are just using a browser.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109959-how-low-can-gasoline-prices-go?source=feed#comment-325001 325001
So a $3 per gallon reduction in gasoline pump prices is a $34 bln monthly increase in disposable income. Doesn't sound like much but the billions spent on brokerage firm and bank rescues have resulted in almost NO EFFECT on disposable funds at the consumer level.
]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:28:00 -0500
So a $3 per gallon reduction in gasoline pump prices is a $34 bln monthly increase in disposable income. Doesn't sound like much but the billions spent on brokerage firm and bank rescues have resulted in almost NO EFFECT on disposable funds at the consumer level.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109960-is-the-microsoft-empire-cracking?source=feed#comment-324984 324984
Chris, when you are still netting $Billions on the Windows O/S every year, it is a little early to throw it out. When you have the most profitable and popular operating system in the world, you stick with it until it it only as profitable as say, Mac's OSx. Based on current trends, that will be 2017 or 2018 at the earliest.

I am a programmer that prefers a Mac, but I still bought a Windows XP license for it to run under VMware for all of the Windows software I need to use on occasion. Many people have. Many will continue to do so because of the huge selection of application software still being developed under Windows.]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:01:37 -0500
Chris, when you are still netting $Billions on the Windows O/S every year, it is a little early to throw it out. When you have the most profitable and popular operating system in the world, you stick with it until it it only as profitable as say, Mac's OSx. Based on current trends, that will be 2017 or 2018 at the earliest.

I am a programmer that prefers a Mac, but I still bought a Windows XP license for it to run under VMware for all of the Windows software I need to use on occasion. Many people have. Many will continue to do so because of the huge selection of application software still being developed under Windows.]]>