Respirate

Google Drops a Nuclear Bomb on Microsoft. And It's Made of Chrome.

Although "nuclear bomb" is over-the-top hyperbole, it got me thinking about security. On one hand, I've found Chrome, the browser, to be not only fast, but also rock solid stable -- most surprising given that it's new. It's also a feat never achieved by Microsoft in anything.

Privacy and security are always concerns when you consider any type of networking. Of even greater concern than privacy in web-centric computing is durability and availability. Despite its robust and redundant structure, the internet links can fail at many places between an individual station and the destination software application sites. Will it be available when you must do something?

Intentional attack is one of multiple vulnerabilities:
This today: "The powerful attack that overwhelmed computers at U.S. and South Korean government agencies for days was even broader than initially realized, also targeting the White House, the Pentagon and the New York Stock Exchange. Other targets of the attack included the National Security Agency, Homeland Security Department, State Department, the Nasdaq stock market ...".

--R

Google's New Operating System Will Be Interesting to See

Aside from the investment-side concerns for their business model (or lack thereof), I've found Chrome, the browser, to be not only fast, but also rock solid stable -- most surprising given that it's new. It's also a feat never achieved by Microsoft in anything.

What concerns me most about web-centric computing is durability and availability. Despite its robust and redundant structure, the internet links can fail at many places between an individual station and the destination software application sites. Will it be available when you must do something?

Intentional attack is one of multiple vulnerabilities:
This today: "The powerful attack that overwhelmed computers at U.S. and South Korean government agencies for days was even broader than initially realized, also targeting the White House, the Pentagon and the New York Stock Exchange. Other targets of the attack included the National Security Agency, Homeland Security Department, State Department, the Nasdaq stock market ...".

--R

Google Chrome: Redefining the Operating System

I've found Chrome, the browser, to be not only fast, but also rock solid stable -- most surprising given that it's new. It's also a feat never achieved by Microsoft in anything.

What concerns me most about web-centric computing is durability and availability. Despite its robust and redundant structure, the internet links can fail at many places between an individual station and the destination software application sites. Will it be available when you must do something?

Intentional attack is one of multiple vulnerabilities:
This today: "The powerful attack that overwhelmed computers at U.S. and South Korean government agencies for days was even broader than initially realized, also targeting the White House, the Pentagon and the New York Stock Exchange. Other targets of the attack included the National Security Agency, Homeland Security Department, State Department, the Nasdaq stock market ...".

--R

Is Sirius XM Facing a Nasdaq Delisting?

There are several possible answers. Date availability? Lower launch costs? Orbit? I don't know what orbit they're going for with this thing, but some orbits are far easier to achieve (less fuel mass, so higher payload capacity) from the higher latitudes. Plus, the Russians will sell launches to anybody with the cash. Finally, the Russians make the best launch vehicles available, and have for decades, according to the USAF Sp-Cmd.


On Jun 30 09:56 AM dead elvis wrote:

> On a more pressing issue
>
> Does anyone know why Russia is the county of choice for sirius Proton
> comsat rocket to be launched today at 310pm
>
> Not the cape?

Obama Takes Tough Stance on ... Lightbulbs

It's about time we replace the inefficient incandescent technology of the last 100 years with solid state alternatives. LED and OLED are ready for widespread use. Modernizing the lighting installed base represents an easy way to eliminate 2-3% of energy consumption.
--R

Why I'm Still Drawn to BJS Services

Tom, fine comprehensive article. I appreciate that you don't speculate to give answers that you don't have.

Like you, I look to invest in areas that are currently depressed but have a very strong future. If you don't mind, a couple of questions:

Are you also positive regarding competitors like Weatherford (or others)? WFT seems to maintain better margins and efficiency during the industry's up cycle.

In anticipation of an eventual NG recovery, what's your opinion of suppliers such as Baker Hughes, or well consumables makers like Carbo?

Many thanks. --R

Apple: Buy, Sell or Hold?

Go away Cretin Homaglu. Quit spamming this site.

======================...
On Jun 19 07:56 PM no more fe wrote:

>
>
> bankers selling our childrens futures..for more bailouts? the disgrace.
> it's horrible. too big to fail needs to fail. we neeed LESS bailouts.
> If you fail U fail.
>
> good articles... is.gd/15JkN

Westport Innovations: A Growing Natural Gas Engine Business

Thanks ripskii & others for constructive input. The S&P excerpt below provides some clarification of Westport's business:

Westport Innovations Inc.: " high-pressure direct injection combustion technology allows diesels to operate on cleaner burning gaseous fuels, such as NG without sacrificing performance or fuel economy. JV w/ Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI), (mentioned previously) develops, supports & markets a line of low-emission, high performance engines and ancillary products based on joint intellectual property .

CWI has four business units:
1. CWI, focused on NG engine applications for urban fleets ranging from 5.9 liters to 8.9 liters.
2. Westport Heavy Duty, focused on LNG systems for heavy-duty trucks.
3. Juniper Engines Inc., focused on 2L and 2.4 L industrial engines. 4. Weichai Westport Inc., developing heavy-duty engines in China.

This from the company website:

"Repowering is a "Shovel/Wrench Ready" project that could qualify for funding under "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)" of 2009.
Under the certified repower section of the ARRA, approved projects can receive up to 75% of the cost of an engine repower, which includes labor and equipment. The ISL G is the first engine compliant with 2010 EPA and CARB on-highway NOx and PM standards, which are applicable to urban bus applications.
Lower Emissions: Replacing a 2000 model year natural gas engine with an ISL G reduces NOx by over 90%.
Lower Greenhouse Gases: The ISL G is over 5% more fuel efficient than the lean burn natural gas engine it replaced."

I'm still not sure how large CWI's technological lead may be, if any. One apparent competitor is Deutz, with "gaseous fuelled engines derived from well-known and field proven diesel engines", ranging from 3 to 15.9 liters displacement. John Deere Power Systems has a 2005 statement: "JDPS has partnered with the DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the continued development of the 8.1L natural gas engine ... complies with 2007 EPA requirements & CARB low-NOx engine certification." There may be many more (Daimler or Mitsubishi, for instance), which was my original question with regard to WPRT as an investment.

WPRT shares are up about 70% in two months and 160% off the Mar08 low, possibly in anticipation of modest economic recovery and federal stimulus funding. Shares (~$8) are well off the 52 wk high of $18. Clearly speculative, which is the way I view many growth companies in the present environment.

--R

Westport Innovations: A Growing Natural Gas Engine Business

Interesting article. Good for Westport. Sounds like a step in the right direction for many reasons that have been discussed before.

It makes sense that Westport's early applications would be based on fleet use, local duty hauling and mass transit, where low emissions is paramount and refueling is centralized.

Michael, looking at WPRT as an investment, in your opinion does Westport's technology or position provide a competitive moat, ie, unique advantages that would make it difficult for other manufacturers to enter the market head-to-head? Automotive NG conversions have been around at least since the 1970s. If there is ample demand, what's to stop other engine manufacturers from jumping in fairly soon after?

In any case I would be somewhat dubious of investing in any NG technology until the current administration embraces NG as a bridge fuel.

Still, it's great to see continued development of technologies to take advantage of an abundant American resource.

Thanks.
--R

Gold, Oil and Fixed Income? They're All in This CEF (GGN)

Thanks for another interesting article. Always enjoy your clear and entertaining writing style.

GGN sounds like a fine addition to most portfolios in this kind of market. I don't believe the current market rally will be sustained. It's seen a strong rebound from an oversold state, but the rise has been on low and declining volumes, and is spurred on by earnings so weak that they only look ok against "beating" low-ball estimates. Also, like many SA followers, I have serious doubts about the US economy's rebound, despite bull claims that it's just around the corner. We have worked only part way through the 4-5 years of "false growth" excesses; the economy will likely revert to the mean before resuming steady growth at an historical normal rate. Even with government stimulus 2010 looks very weak.

GNN looks promising given its two-sector focus. Increasing demand for a declining energy resources should result in a general upward trend in prices, eventually driving E&P. I've never been a fan of gold investing, but given the extraordinary federal stimulus, inflation should emerge. These are both long term trends, IMO. The large options-funded yield is attractive even if the share price treads water.

Discl.: This afternoon I placed an order for a small opening position, and will "walk" toward a full position if energy shares fall significantly or if the premium narrows.

--R

Like Gold? Like Oil? Like Income? You Might Like GGN.

Thanks for the thorough reply, much more than I could have asked for. It sheds light on some of M*'s biases, essential to know for any tool you use. The link is excellent -- Sharpe's discussion is interesting reading.

I like M* for ease of use and its conservative approach .. but it's not much more than a snapshot tool.

GNN looks promising given its two-sector focus. (Looking for a pullback to $13.30 or so - maybe in vain.) The large yield is attractive even if the price treads water. I'm waiting for commercial real estate to bottom out for much the same reason, though it may be a long wait.

The GNN energy portion fit my investing strategy and should be good for some growth. I tend to keep about 30% of long term money in energy, as increasing demand for a declining resource should result in a general upward trend in prices.

Thanks again! Looking forward to your next article.

Westport Innovations - A Growing Natural Gas Engine Business

Michael, in your opinion does Westport's technology provide a competitive moat, ie, a unique advantage that would make it difficult for other manufacturers to enter the niche?

Overall I would be dubious of any NG technology until the current administration embraces NG as a bridge fuel.

At any rate it's good to see continued development of the technologies to take advantage of abundant American resources.

Thanks.
--R

Has Oil Peaked?

I agree wholeheartedly that so-called efficient markets routinely fail to work over the short term. "Low prices are causing exploration budgets to shrink. Lower investments will slow the discovery of productive oil fields, resulting in lower production in the future, when we need it."

On SEC regulation, was it a matter of inability to regulate, or willful neglect?

--R

Stay Away from U.S. Treasuries - Invest in Energy Stocks

I have no interest in the pointless tit-for-tat above, but there is a positive article related to the discussion re: NG supplies that supports the notion of NGVs for transportation among other uses:

"The nation’s estimated gas reserves have surged by 35 percent, according to a study due for release on Thursday (6/17). The report by the Potential Gas Committee, the authority on gas supplies, shows the United States holds far larger reserves than previously thought. The jump is the largest increase in the 44-year history of reports from the committee. The finding raises the possibility that natural gas could emerge as a critical transition fuel that could help to battle global warming. For a given amount of heat energy, burning gas produces about half as much carbon dioxide, the main cause of global warming, as burning coal. Estimated natural gas reserves rose to 2,074 trillion cubic feet in 2008, from 1,532 trillion cubic feet in 2006."

Full article:
www.nytimes.com/2009/0...

--R

Like Gold? Like Oil? Like Income? You Might Like GGN.

Thanks for another interesting commentary, Mr Shaefer. Always enjoy your writing. Wish I could reply more often, but am trying to embark on career #3, so putting in many unpaid training hours.

GGN sounds like a fine investment. At this particular point in my life market volatility without a reasonable return for the risk isn't welcome. That sums up my view of the current market, which has risen on low volumes in the face of weak earnings that only "beat" slashed estimates. I also have serious doubts about the US economy's rebound, which many proclaim is just around the corner. (I think there are 4-5 years of "false growth" excesses to work through to the mean before we can resume steady growth at a normal rate. Even with government stimulus 2010 looks very weak.)

Curiously, Morningstar only rates GGN with one star. Maybe they don't like the expense ratio, the NAV premium you mentioned, or the significant negative EPS.

I welcome your further thoughts on GNN or Morningstar's take.

Thanks, as always. --R