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A Useful Addition
Observations on Software - Markets, Technology, and Companies
Sunday, November 17, 2002
Friday, October 11, 2002
Thursday, October 10, 2002
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
Tuesday, October 8, 2002
Monday, September 23, 2002
Friday, September 20, 2002
Observations on Software - Markets, Technology, and Companies
Sunday, November 17, 2002
It's Good To Be King, Chapter 372
The Financial Times reports on a quick analysis that reveals Microsoft enjoys 85% margins on the Windows operating system. Nice work, if you can get it. But before you get too excited (or annoyed, depending on your view of things Microsoft), realize they lost money on all their other product lines. According to FT, the client division, which markets Windows, generated operating profits last quarter of $2.48bn on revenues of $2.89bn, implying margins of 85 per cent.
The Financial Times reports on a quick analysis that reveals Microsoft enjoys 85% margins on the Windows operating system. Nice work, if you can get it. But before you get too excited (or annoyed, depending on your view of things Microsoft), realize they lost money on all their other product lines. According to FT, the client division, which markets Windows, generated operating profits last quarter of $2.48bn on revenues of $2.89bn, implying margins of 85 per cent.
8:24:10 PM 
Friday, October 11, 2002
Low Cost PCs Threaten Ability To Innovate
Maintaining that "someone" is subsidizing the actual cost of low-cost PCs ($199 at Wal-Mart) running the LindowsOS, Microsot's Steve Ballmer insists Microsoft won't cut costs to be competitive. Ballmer: Windows prices are firm [ZDNet Tech News]
Software Assurance: "Protection Money"
Unhappiness over Microsoft licensing program remains.
Sell To LOB Managers
The discussion of how cost-justification duties are increasingly falling to line-of-business managers overlooks the larger trend - that LOB managers are increasingly driving all aspects of IT acquisitions. It's no longer adequate - arguably, it never was - to simply target the IT organization in sales and marketing efforts.
Maintaining that "someone" is subsidizing the actual cost of low-cost PCs ($199 at Wal-Mart) running the LindowsOS, Microsot's Steve Ballmer insists Microsoft won't cut costs to be competitive. Ballmer: Windows prices are firm [ZDNet Tech News]
6:26:28 AM 
Software Assurance: "Protection Money"
Unhappiness over Microsoft licensing program remains.
Microsoft Licensing: Still A Sticking Point For Some Enterprises [TechWeb]
6:15:21 AM
Sell To LOB Managers
The discussion of how cost-justification duties are increasingly falling to line-of-business managers overlooks the larger trend - that LOB managers are increasingly driving all aspects of IT acquisitions. It's no longer adequate - arguably, it never was - to simply target the IT organization in sales and marketing efforts.
Business units inherit more IT cost-justification duties [Computerworld]
6:08:49 AM
Thursday, October 10, 2002
Marketers Don't Get It - Chapter 95
There are days when I'm just astounded that the technical marketing community gets anything done at all, what with their heads shoved so far up their, well, you know. Word comes from a panel discussion in Europe that consumers don't want an identity management system on the order of Liberty Alliance or Passport. No consumer demand whatsoever - don't trust them, don't see any benefit, a little worried about the whole thing, actually. So. What does our crack team of panelists think about this? Perhaps the concept should be re-thought? Maybe go out and talk with people about how it could better serve their needs? Nope. We're expected to get used to it - and by golly, they're sure we will. We just need to be educated. Maybe toss on in a coupon or two.
I read things like this, and it makes me embarassed that I work in marketing. These people show such contempt for their customers. Verizon Wireless is a perfect example. They've recently switched their mobile web users from a proprietary setup - myvzw.com - to MSN. In the process, they're pulling the plug on the myvzw.com domain - if you want to get email, you need to switch to MSN - and get a Passport. After reviewing the 20+ page usage agreement - which includes provisions such as they're not responsible for misuse of your account that costs you, but you're responsible for misuse that costs them money - I took a pass. In addition to ridiculous terms (do you trust MSN to be secure?), it's just a pain. Why should I change the email address I've set up in a variety of systems? The Verizon response was a classic from the "all we need to do is educate the user" strategy. I received an email explaining how wonderful it was all going to be. And I didn't really need to get a Passport. Unless, of course, I actually wanted to do anything with the system. I responded that this didn't really address my issues. Haven't heard back.
Educate the user? That's fine. Just don't ignore them.
There are days when I'm just astounded that the technical marketing community gets anything done at all, what with their heads shoved so far up their, well, you know. Word comes from a panel discussion in Europe that consumers don't want an identity management system on the order of Liberty Alliance or Passport. No consumer demand whatsoever - don't trust them, don't see any benefit, a little worried about the whole thing, actually. So. What does our crack team of panelists think about this? Perhaps the concept should be re-thought? Maybe go out and talk with people about how it could better serve their needs? Nope. We're expected to get used to it - and by golly, they're sure we will. We just need to be educated. Maybe toss on in a coupon or two.
I read things like this, and it makes me embarassed that I work in marketing. These people show such contempt for their customers. Verizon Wireless is a perfect example. They've recently switched their mobile web users from a proprietary setup - myvzw.com - to MSN. In the process, they're pulling the plug on the myvzw.com domain - if you want to get email, you need to switch to MSN - and get a Passport. After reviewing the 20+ page usage agreement - which includes provisions such as they're not responsible for misuse of your account that costs you, but you're responsible for misuse that costs them money - I took a pass. In addition to ridiculous terms (do you trust MSN to be secure?), it's just a pain. Why should I change the email address I've set up in a variety of systems? The Verizon response was a classic from the "all we need to do is educate the user" strategy. I received an email explaining how wonderful it was all going to be. And I didn't really need to get a Passport. Unless, of course, I actually wanted to do anything with the system. I responded that this didn't really address my issues. Haven't heard back.
Educate the user? That's fine. Just don't ignore them.
8:50:02 PM
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
Sony Gets 6% of Palm Source
Sony to Put $20 Million Into Palm Software. SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Sony Corp. agreed to invest $20 million Tuesday in Palm Inc.'s software division, which the handheld computer maker plans to spin off next year. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: Technology]
Upside Shuts Down, Red Herring Retrenches
The NYT reports that Upside has followed Forbes ASAP into publishing oblivion by ceasing publication. Also, Red Herring has been sold to an investor and has seen staff shrink from 400 to less than 50. Data specific to Upside isn't at hand, but the entire tech publishing sector has seen ad pages - and consequently revenue - disappear. Pages for Red Herring are down nearly 70% year over year.
Barrett: Clap Really Hard If You Believe
Intel chief talks up tech rebound. Craig Barrett, boss of semiconductor giant Intel, says the long awaited technology sector recovery is just around the corner. [BBC News | TECHNOLOGY]
Fear Of Spam Impacts Newsletter Effectiveness
"Legitimate e-mail is at war with spam, and spam may be the ultimate winner," said Nielsen Norman Group's Jakob Nielsen.
Happy Birthday ThinkPad
IBM's ThinkPad turns 10. The computer maker's notebook design set a standard for other designers to follow. Where does it go from here? [CNET News.com]
NetIQ Snaps Up Pentasafe
Leaves the clock ticking for other smaller security vendors who need to be acquired, or risk being out-marketed by larger, more market-savvy competitors.
Marketers Must Work To Ban Spam
With the amount of spam increasing exponentially - now representing 38% of all e-mail traffic, up from 8% last year - marketers who hope to continue to use email to communicate with customers need to act to help shape and define laws to control the deluge. You're going to get laws - if you don't get involved, you may not like the results.
Ballmer: Don't Need No Services...
MS chief Ballmer rules out services buys. No consulting arm? Shurely shome... [The Register]
Selling Security: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt
This is all a bit like the movies in driver's ed where teachers attempt to scare young drivers into responsible behavior. Doesn't work any better when applied to security.
Tech Marketers Need To Embrace Branding
Futurist: Technology And Branding No Longer Strangers [TechWeb]
Sony to Put $20 Million Into Palm Software. SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Sony Corp. agreed to invest $20 million Tuesday in Palm Inc.'s software division, which the handheld computer maker plans to spin off next year. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: Technology]
10:37:39 AM
Upside Shuts Down, Red Herring Retrenches
The NYT reports that Upside has followed Forbes ASAP into publishing oblivion by ceasing publication. Also, Red Herring has been sold to an investor and has seen staff shrink from 400 to less than 50. Data specific to Upside isn't at hand, but the entire tech publishing sector has seen ad pages - and consequently revenue - disappear. Pages for Red Herring are down nearly 70% year over year.
9:29:09 AM
Barrett: Clap Really Hard If You Believe
Intel chief talks up tech rebound. Craig Barrett, boss of semiconductor giant Intel, says the long awaited technology sector recovery is just around the corner. [BBC News | TECHNOLOGY]
8:43:46 AM
Fear Of Spam Impacts Newsletter Effectiveness
"Legitimate e-mail is at war with spam, and spam may be the ultimate winner," said Nielsen Norman Group's Jakob Nielsen.
E-mail makes surfers emotional. E-mail marketing works[cedilla] say internet experts[cedilla] but spam could undermine their effectiveness. [BBC News | TECHNOLOGY]
8:08:30 AM
Happy Birthday ThinkPad
IBM's ThinkPad turns 10. The computer maker's notebook design set a standard for other designers to follow. Where does it go from here? [CNET News.com]
7:58:57 AM
NetIQ Snaps Up Pentasafe
Leaves the clock ticking for other smaller security vendors who need to be acquired, or risk being out-marketed by larger, more market-savvy competitors.
NetIQ to purchase PentaSafe for $255 million. Deal is latest example of consolidation in security software industry [InfoWorld: Top News]
7:53:44 AM
Marketers Must Work To Ban Spam
With the amount of spam increasing exponentially - now representing 38% of all e-mail traffic, up from 8% last year - marketers who hope to continue to use email to communicate with customers need to act to help shape and define laws to control the deluge. You're going to get laws - if you don't get involved, you may not like the results.
Needed Now: Laws to Can Spam [Business Week: Technology]
7:45:13 AM
Ballmer: Don't Need No Services...
MS chief Ballmer rules out services buys. No consulting arm? Shurely shome... [The Register]
7:38:08 AM
Selling Security: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt
This is all a bit like the movies in driver's ed where teachers attempt to scare young drivers into responsible behavior. Doesn't work any better when applied to security.
Tech Managers Say They Still Struggle To Show Value Of Security [TechWeb]
7:29:49 AM
Tech Marketers Need To Embrace Branding
Futurist: Technology And Branding No Longer Strangers [TechWeb]
7:20:45 AM
Tuesday, October 8, 2002
Hurwitz Goes Under
Computerworld and InformationWeek report that IT analyst firm Hurwitz Group Inc. closed its doors and has gone out of business.
Computerworld and InformationWeek report that IT analyst firm Hurwitz Group Inc. closed its doors and has gone out of business.
11:39:55 AM
Monday, September 23, 2002
BMC Picks Up Remedy From Distressed Peregrine
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Troubled software maker Peregrine Systems Inc on Sunday said it filed for bankruptcy protection and that it plans to sell its coveted Remedy unit to BMC Software Inc for $350 million in cash -- less than a third the price Peregrine paid for it. The company also said it would file suit for more than $1 billion against its former auditor Andersen LLP and related parties whom Peregrine blames for not detecting the problems that lead to its bankruptcy.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Troubled software maker Peregrine Systems Inc on Sunday said it filed for bankruptcy protection and that it plans to sell its coveted Remedy unit to BMC Software Inc for $350 million in cash -- less than a third the price Peregrine paid for it. The company also said it would file suit for more than $1 billion against its former auditor Andersen LLP and related parties whom Peregrine blames for not detecting the problems that lead to its bankruptcy.
9:04:44 PM
Friday, September 20, 2002
Trade Shows Are The Dinosaurs of Hi-Tech Marketing
Combine an economy in disarry and ongoing concerns over the safety and convenience of travel, and the only surprise is that it's taken this long for major shows to start going under the knife. In one interesting development, TechTarget has begun promoting shows where attendance is free and hotel rooms are comped for qualified attendees.
EDS Earnings Fall Off Cliff
The concern, obviously, is whether the halt in spending is a harbinger of a larger trend.
Physician, Heal Thyself?
Ex-Palm developer creates tools to track product development.
The Network Is The Computer?
StarOffice, it seems, will set you free. It turns out that Sun's strategy isn't all that new and different after all, just a retread of the network computing model with Linux as the starring player.
Watch Me Pull A Rabbitt Out Of My Hat
General Magic, once the hottest property in the tech market, throws in the towel. A high profile and good technology seemingly weren't enough to establish momentum in any market.
Combine an economy in disarry and ongoing concerns over the safety and convenience of travel, and the only surprise is that it's taken this long for major shows to start going under the knife. In one interesting development, TechTarget has begun promoting shows where attendance is free and hotel rooms are comped for qualified attendees.
Tech trade shows face axe. The dot.com collapse has finally brought down a series of trade fairs which once attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. [BBC News | TECHNOLOGY]
8:25:05 AM
EDS Earnings Fall Off Cliff
The concern, obviously, is whether the halt in spending is a harbinger of a larger trend.
EDS sees services cash "virtually stop" [ZDNet Tech News]
8:19:03 AM
Physician, Heal Thyself?
Ex-Palm developer creates tools to track product development.
Start-up software moves products [ZDNet Tech News]
8:11:39 AM
The Network Is The Computer?
StarOffice, it seems, will set you free. It turns out that Sun's strategy isn't all that new and different after all, just a retread of the network computing model with Linux as the starring player.
Sun's punts cheap PCs at blue collar workers. Our hairball is cheaper than their hairball [The Register]
7:20:09 AM
Watch Me Pull A Rabbitt Out Of My Hat
General Magic, once the hottest property in the tech market, throws in the towel. A high profile and good technology seemingly weren't enough to establish momentum in any market.
General Magic calls its quits. The formerly hot Silicon Valley company once enjoyed investments from Apple and Microsoft and let rabbits wander free around its offices to inspire creativity. [CNET News.com]
7:09:55 AM