Table On-Topic Summary - 05-Sep-2002
A compilation of this board's financial/economic posts From 41426 to 41479

Post  41426  by  Decomposed       OT: Table ON TOPIC SUMMARY Sep 4, 2002
Post  41427  by  lkorrow       OT: roof, cool, good luck!


Post  41428  by  Warstud       Reply
Briguy Re: HD

Someone here already pointed this out (Decomp)? And I agreed with it although I didn't reply but Home Depot I feel is a "Has Been" stock, imo. I think right now there in satuaration mode and it's only a matter of time until they start closing some down. I came to that conclusion as soon as they put one up in my hometown, which by the way isn't the biggest town around. Plus they pay there employees much more than any type of hardware store I know, $15 hr. Anyway here's a brief article from Carlton Lutts from Cabot Newsletter that points that out. Also Louie Navxxxlear says pretty much the same thing.



WHY YOU SHOULD BUY STOCKS THAT ARE NOT WELL KNOWN

For a healthy portfolio it's important that you concentrate on buying stocks that are not well known. Many of the stocks we recommend to you will be unfamiliar names. They certainly are not on everyone's lips. You may have never heard of these stocks, but we assure you they meet our demanding requirements. Of course, plenty of mutual
funds and institutions may not be aware of these stocks, either.
Frankly, the stocks may be too small for many institutions to buy.
Conversely, don't make the mistake of buying the well-known stocks that have been in the news in recent years, stocks that are selling for "low-low prices." Most of these stocks have fallen sharply and are not going to recover soon. Good examples are Cisco Systems, Intel, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Dell, Microsoft, AOL Time Warner, EMC and Home Depot. There are many more. In general, institutions
are overloaded with these stocks and many of them are trying to get rid of them without depressing the prices. . . . . .an impossible task considering the number of shares they own. For example, each of the following stocks was held by more than a thousand institutions at
the end of June: CSCO, INTC, ORCL, DELL, MSFT, AOL, and HD. Sun Microsystems was owned by 826 institutions. EMC was owned by 892.

If you were a fund manager and you were trying to get rid of 400,000 shares of Sun Microsystems (selling at 65 at its peak in 2000 and now selling at a lowly 4), can you imagine the traffic jam? Imagine the pressure on you to get this stock out of your portfolio. Remember, you're not the only fund manager trying to "lighten up" on this
stock. Every time there's a little rally, there are dozens of managers out there trying to sell more stock. The overhead supply remains gigantic. Why? Because hundreds of institutions are finally realizing that these companies are no longer growth companies and they want to get rid of their stock. The point is, you definitely don't want to be buying yesterday's favorite stocks that are still
over-owned by institutions.

Over the years we have found that our largest profits in the Model Portfolio have come from stocks that were little-known at the time we bought them. We didn't care if no one was talking about them; they met our investing criteria. Here are some specific examples with our maximum profits attained in each case.

Home Depot, bought in May, 1990, when it was not well-known to the investment community. Sold August, 1993. Profit, 240%.

American Power Conversion, bought in August, 1990. Sold November, 1993. Profit, 1075%, for a ten-fold jump. (Incidentally, one additional reason for buying this stock was we noticed each of our office computers was protected by an APC "box" that prevented the interruption of power.)

Ascend Communications, bought in May, 1995. Sold March, 1997. Profit, 244%.

Amazon.com, bought in January, 1998. Sold January, 2000. Profit, 1291%, yes, another ten-fold jump. (Buying books on the Internet led us to this stock.)

JDS Uniphase, bought in July, 1999. Sold September, 2000.
Profit, 388%.

Qualcomm, bought in April, 1999. Sold in January, 2000. Profit,
560%.

Expedia and its warrants, bought in February, 2002. Sold June, 2002.Profit, 114%.

At the time we recommended the above stocks, none of them was well known. Yes, several of them are now well known: Home Depot, American Power Conversion, Amazon and Qualcomm, for example. But their major growth opportunities are long gone!








Post  41429  by  spirare       Reply
Caledonia Mining Corporation President And CEO Addresses The Richmond Club Broker Luncheon Event

TORONTO, Sep 4, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Caledonia Mining Corporation
("Caledonia") of Toronto (OTC BB: CALVF)(TSX:CAL.TO) announced today that
Stefan Hayden, Chairman, President and CEO
would make a presentation to The Richmond
Club's membership of brokers, fund managers, analysts and members of the media
at

The National Club,
on Bay Street, in Toronto on 5 September 2002.

The presentation will be videotaped and synchronized with a PowerPoint
presentation, which will then be digitized for transmission to Caledonia's
shareholders and 4,250 members of The Richmond Club.

A link to the presentation
will be available on Caledonia's website and on
the Caledonia Mining Corporation
profile page on The Richmond Club website.

Caledonia has recently been selected
by The Richmond Club to be showcased to an audience of

625,000 investors through
its broker/ analyst luncheon and exposure to institutional investors and
national media.

About Caledonia Mining Corporation:

Caledonia's corporate philosophy is to
identify mineral properties and projects early in their development cycle, and
then add value by developing, and/or operating and/or disposing of the asset, in
whole or in part, at the most opportune time thereby adding shareholder value.

Caledonia's predominant focus is on its Canadian,
Zambian and South African properties,
a number of which are operated in terms of joint ventures with major mining companies.

Caledonia is virtually debt free and has a portfolio of
carefully selected and exciting precious metals,
diamond and base metal properties.

About The Richmond Club: The Richmond Club (www.richmondclub.com)
is a media portal to 2.2 million investors through TV,
Radio, Magazine, Newsletter and broker luncheon events.

It has a membership of over 4,250 brokers, fund
managers, analysts and members of the media in Canada,
USA and UK.

The Richmond Club selects and showcases companies with good management and an excellent prospect of outperforming the market in the next 12-18 months.

Further information regarding Caledonia's exploration activities and operations along with its latest financials may be found on
the Corporation's website

http:/www.caledoniamining.com.



CONTACT:
Caledonia Mining Corporation, South Africa

S. E. Hayden, 011-27-11/ 447-2499

011-27-11/ 447-2554 (FAX)

or

Caledonia Mining Corporation, Canada

James Johnstone, 905/607-7543

905/607-9806 (FAX)

or

Caledonia Mining Corporation, Canada

Chris Harvey, 905/607-7543

905/607-9806 (FAX)

or

The Richmond Club/ The Richmond Club Report

Sufia Lodhi, 416/644-0644

Email: sufia.Lodhi@richmondclub.com

www.richmondclub.com



KEYWORD:
SOUTH AFRICA INTERNATIONAL CANADA AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MINING/METALS

SOURCE:

Caledonia

Mining

Corporation

+ + + + +

CALVF Risning from oversold conditions - bullish

http://www.321gold.com/editorials/m...aund071202.html

Current Price of Gold
http://www.caledoniamining.com

Interview With: S.E. Hayden
President and CEO
Dated 07/02/2002
Click here if you don't hear audio...

http://www.wallstreetreporter.com/v...tent=99&id=7315

Imo. TIA. Pass It Along>>>>>>>>>>>



(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)






Post  41430  by  supreme-apg       Reply
A hammer is a simple tool that drives nails. The mechanics of its application are intuitive. The action of driving nails is a wonderful marriage of force, acceleration and mass all aimed to develop a simpler tool, the lever. The length of the hammer added to the length of the arm to which is wielding the implement is the total length of the lever to which moments can be calculated. The mass of the hammer times the force of gravity then multiplied by the length of the moment arm multiplied by the acceleration of the hammer head will yield the potential force which is used to drive nails into softer materials. The force of friction between the nail and the joined material is actually the only thing holding any two pieces of material together. A good aim is quite important to effective use of the force developed by using a hammer.
-
You can see that there are several factors involved in understanding exactly what is happening when using a simple tool. Complex mechanisms employ many simple machines to do work. The nail gun converts the explosive power of compressed air to drive the same nail with greater accuracy and less wear to the user. Of course the trade off is great, though rarely considered. To use a nail gun, you must first use a compressor and special nails. The greater expense is the penalty for saving wear and tear on the user as well as time, perhaps a more valuable commodity.
-
Stock options are used in lieu of cash to compensate employees, assembly line or BOD. No room to argue the incentive value of improving the company so that the collateral effect is to improve the value of the option thus increasing the reward to the holder. The option is used in lieu of cash, thus it should be expensed as would the payroll or insurance coverage or vacation pay. The cost of the option should be expensed at the exercise price. If the option is exercised, the difference in value should increase, or decrease if the case may be, the holders income for tax purposes. Period.
-
Options capture the loyalty and imagination of the holder to perform more and quality work. I suppose you could say that it is as analogous as the hammer v nail gun that being the salary v option, but the nail gun is clearly the more expensive choice.
-
Should the option be more or less valuable than cash? What do you do for a person that took a job at lower than market
prices in exchange for generous stock options? There are many, many millionaires that have cashed in on options and gone on to do other things including early retirement. There are many as well that were left unemployed holding worthless paper. Come tax time, however, there is some motion to equality as the fortunate ones pay additional taxes while the woebegone survive with another deduction.
-
A company that issues options has set a value of the instrument at the exercise price. No consideration should be given to what it may become over time. It is clearly compensation and thus valued at the exercise price, should be expensed and taxed as salary at that level. When the option is exercised, there will be no effect to the company by the action of any individual. The individual, however, would be incurring a net gain(loss) over the issue price and that difference should be taxed additionally in the year it was exercised.
-
I have explained that there is much more going on when using a hammer and compared it to improvements gained by using a nail gun. It is clear that a nail gun is a more expensive choice if only for start-up costs. The savings in time can be argued if the user spends more time driving many more expensive nails than necessary to do the job. I still haven't told you how to use either of them.
-
The stock option requires additional costs as well. Were the option actually printed and delivered it would be easier to value the additional cost. However, it is more likely that the only extra cost would be an additional line item across the books and becomes no more expensive than paying a salary. We are efficient in some ways. Certainly one of those additional lines should be expensed, which creates yet another line. They all play upon the bottom line and that is what it is all about. Whose bottom line would then become immaterial.
-
Cheers





Post  41431  by  chikenegg       Reply
AIPN, check it out. Maybe something BIG is about to happen.

Why not share...In trading everybody can WIN.

Could this be the next 5digit gain in %.

Only time will tell.

CHECK IT OUT>


Post  41432  by  uponroof       OT: Thanks Linda! eom
Post  41433  by  clo       OT: Of Iraq, the airlines and the price of oil


Post  41434  by  uponroof       Reply
Deflation: The Global Economy's Downside
Rubinomics being turned on it's head by bretheran at Goldman Sachs...


"...The truth is that the world economy has become overly dependent on the United States and its mushrooming trade deficits, which are "unsustainable," say O'Neill and Dudley. To promote more balanced global growth, they suggest that:

• The United States abandon its "strong dollar" policy and allow -- or prod -- the dollar's exchange rate to decline by 15 percent to 20 percent, helping U.S. exports and discouraging imports.

• The European Central Bank cut interest rates by 1 percentage point (the key rate is now 3.25 percent), and Japan and Europe increase government budget deficits.

• China allow its currency -- the yuan -- to float upward against the dollar, encouraging more imports and discouraging exports.

On paper, this approach could succeed. Europe and Japan would grow more rapidly. China would buy more on the global market. But in practice, the problems are huge. Governments may disregard the advice. The United States remains wedded to a strong-dollar policy; China may be loath to surrender any advantage for its exports. Even if adopted, the plan might not work as advertised.

Foreigners have invested billions in American stocks and bonds. Fear of a dollar depreciation, which would make the investments worth less in their own currencies, could trigger a sell-off that would depress stock prices. And Europe and Japan may not be able to increase their growth..."



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34846-2002Sep3.html

********
Good Luck

Cheers




Post  41435  by  uponroof       Reply
Japan "overdue for major jolt"

"...The sense of urgency since Kobe has, if anything, only intensified.

Japan, spread out along the Pacific ``Ring of Fire,'' is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world and each year experiences about 1,000 quakes strong enough to be felt.

The Tokyo area, where about a fifth of Japan's population resides, was devastated by a quake in September 1923, and experts believe it is overdue for another major jolt.

``I wouldn't be surprised if the big one struck this very moment,'' said Osamu Kamigaichi, deputy director at the earthquake prediction division of the Meteorological Agency. ``It's hard to predict when an earthquake will come. But when it does, quick response is key.''

http://www.hypography.com/article.cfm/31823.html

********
btw-A volcano has erupted on an island 360 miles south of Tokyo....first time since 1939.

http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/54618.htm




Post  41436  by  uponroof       Reply
Japan, Japan, Japan...
yes, I am picking on Japan.

Japan's bank reforms may prove disastrous
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1170277-6094-0,00.html

Japan plans new measures to fight deflation
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-09/05/content_551234.htm

Japan Anti-Deflation Package May Disappoint Investors (Update1)
http://www.bloomberg.com/fgcgi.cgi?ptitle=Economies&s1=blk&tp=ad_topright_econ&T=markets_bfgcgi_content99.ht&s2=ad_right1_economies&bt=ad_position1_economies&middle=ad_frame2_economies&s=APXbl_RaZSmFwYW4g

Japan's bank regulator gives lie to Koizumi's guarantee
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1031119054030&p=1012571727169

********

This is the country responsible in large part for
proping up our currency, and in whom we are
forevermore linked to their fortunes.

Good Luck

Cheers


Post  41437  by  pdowd       OT: kduff !


Post  41438  by  pmcw       Reply
chicken, I always like to start my day off with a good laugh. To this end, I appreciate you bringing AIPN to my attention; I did get a good laugh. I doubt you'll fing anyone here dumb enough to buy your shares.



Post  41439  by  uponroof       Reply
POG pops open at 318.50
last 317.70

http://www.kitco.com/charts/livegold.html




Post  41440  by  kduff       Reply
Thanks for the lesson on the purpose of a hammer. Unfortunately, you are late to the table on the subject of options. I would imagine you have a few people banging their head on the keyboard.





Post  41441  by  pacemakernj       Reply
Roof, thanks for that update. I sure hope THIS IS IT! I can't take this anymore! They're killing me. You think with all the problems down in VZ Chavez could use some good PR. But holding a $1.50 I think was key. Have a great day. Pace.



Post  41442  by  spirare       Reply

The MACLEOD sold some, had to fight for the Independence...

Welcome to the Scottish Parliament
Welcome to the Scottish Parliament

Top international industrialist Dennis MacLeod,
Past chairman of the 100 million Canadian-based
Caledonia Mining Corporation;

http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/newrsh2.htm

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/index.html

http://www.caledoniamining.com/map3.gif

http://www.caledoniamining.com/welcome2.html


Insider Trades--0- back to 1997. C

http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/holdings.asp?mode=&kind=&symbol=CALVF&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&symbol=&FormType=form4&pathname=&page=insiderform4&selected=CALVF


(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)





Post  41443  by  lkorrow       Reply
Pace, consolation prize, CALVF's up 8.7%. :-)

Post  41444  by  danking_70       OT: More Middle Eastern Child Abuse


Post  41445  by  Tampathom       Reply
Gosh Dan,

The Palestinians must be inhuman monsters! You'd better emigrate to Israel now so you can help in their extermination.

Now seriously, you love to post symptoms of the problem to further propagate this idea, but you fail to address either the problem itself or the solution. Why do you suppose kids strap bombs to their bodies? What is your solution?

Do you think part of the reason we'll be going to war again Iraq is to save Israel's bacon? Where do you think Saddam will use his WMD first if left unhindered?




Post  41446  by  lkorrow       Reply
Quite a week for FOMC Open Market Operations

9/3 $11B
9/4 $7B
9/5 $11.5B


Post  41447  by  danking_70       OT: Tampa


Post  41448  by  pmcw       Reply
IDNX

In a recent speech, Gregg Hawrylko, program manager for the Transportation Department's Credential Project Office made it clear that Federal Transportation Workers could look forward to being issued a SmartCard that will "likely" include biometrics. However, if Congress passes the following bill, 10M to 15M transportation workers will seem like small potatoes. Think about every driver's license containing biometric data. IDNX is the biggest player in this jungle.

Regards, pmcw

Pending Legislation Follows:
H. R. 4633
To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish standards for State programs for the issuance of drivers' licenses and identification cards, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 1, 2002
Mr. MORAN of Virginia (for himself and Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary and Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish standards for State programs for the issuance of drivers' licenses and identification cards, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Driver's License Modernization Act of 2002'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, illuminated many flaws in the Nation's domestic security, especially in its identification system.

(2) Drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by States have become the favored form of identity verification in the United States and are used by government agencies and private entities alike.

(3) Inconsistent requirements between the States for initial identity verification and insufficient verification of identity documents have made the identification systems of States a prime target for fraud and identity theft.

(4) Different designs on drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by States have created a market, including sales on the Internet, for fake cards that look real to those who are unfamiliar with the official designs.

(5) Improving the security of State identification systems will require taking advantage of new technology.

(6) Identification card technologies that can accommodate other government and private applications will provide the best return on the investment in the new cards.

(7) It is necessary to improve the security of drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by States so that multiple licensing of individuals will be eliminated, the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products by underage individuals will be reduced, and identity theft will be severely reduced.

SEC. 3. STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE AND IDENTIFICATION CARD PROGRAMS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Subchapter I of chapter I of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 165. State driver's license and identification card programs

`(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section, the following definitions apply:

`(1) DRIVER'S LICENSE - The term `driver's license' means a license issued by the motor vehicle agency of a State to an individual that authorizes the individual to operate a motor vehicle on highways.

`(2) IDENTIFICATION CARD- The term `identification card' means an identification card issued by the motor vehicle agency of a State to an individual.

`(b) STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE AND IDENTIFICATION CARD PROGRAMS- Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this section, each State shall have in effect a driver's license and identification card program under which the State meets the following requirements:

`(1) COMPUTER CHIPS IN DRIVERS' LICENSES AND ID CARDS-

`(A) IN GENERAL- A State shall embed a computer chip in each new or renewed driver's license or identification card issued by the State.

`(B) REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPUTER CHIPS- A computer chip embedded in a driver's license or identification card under this paragraph shall--

`(i) contain, in electronic form, all text data written on the license or card;

`(ii) contain encoded biometric data matching the holder of the license or card;

`(iii) contain encryption and security software or hardware (or both) that prevents access to data stored on the chip without the express consent of the individual to whom the data applies, other than access by a Federal, State, or local agency (including a court or law enforcement agency) in carrying out its functions, or by a private entity acting on behalf of a Federal, State, or local agency in carrying out its functions;

`(iv) accept data or software written to the license or card by non-governmental devices if the data transfer is authorized by the holder of the license or card; and

`(v) conform to any other standards issued by Secretary.

`(2) BIOMETRIC DATA-

`(A) IN GENERAL- A State shall obtain biometric data for the identification of each individual to whom the State issues a new or renewed driver's license or identification card and shall maintain such data.

`(B) REQUIREMENT FOR BIOMETRIC DATA- Biometric data obtained by a State under this paragraph shall be of a type that can be matched to the license or card holder only with the express cooperation of the license or card holder.


`(3) PARTICIPATION IN LINKING OF DATABASES-

`(A) IN GENERAL- A State shall participate in a program to link State motor vehicle databases in order to provide electronic access by a State to information contained in the motor vehicle databases of all other States.

`(B) REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION- A State motor vehicle database shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

`(i) All data fields printed on drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by the State, other than the encoded biometric data stored on such licenses and cards under paragraph (1).

`(ii) Biometric data obtained under paragraph (2) from each individual to whom the State issues a new or renewed driver's license or identification card.

`(iii) Motor vehicle drivers' histories, including motor vehicle violations, suspensions, and points on licenses.

`(4) TAMPER-RESISTANT SECURITY FEATURES- A State shall include on each new or renewed driver's license or identification card issued by the State, multiple tamper-resistant security features or optical image layers, such as biometric scans, barcodes, 3D, flip, or motion imaging, to assist in visual verification that the license or card is valid.

`(5) DOCUMENTATION- A State shall adopt and implement procedures for accurately documenting the identity and residence of an individual before issuing a driver's license or identification card to the individual.

`(c) GUIDELINES-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue guidelines to assist States in complying with the requirements of subsection (b).

`(2) CONTENTS- The guidelines issued under this subsection shall contain, at a minimum, the following:

`(A) Standards for the computer chip technology required for compliance with subsection (b)(1), including--

`(i) standards to ensure interoperability and the ability to store multiple applications created by government agencies and private entities and transmitted to the license or card with the express consent of the license or card holder; and

`(ii) standards for the encoded biometric data that must be contained on each computer chip and requirements to ensure that such biometric data will be used only for matching the license or card to the presenter and will not be stored in a central database.

`(B) Standards for biometric data to be obtained from applicants for new or renewed State drivers' licenses and identification cards under subsection (b)(2) and standards for maintaining such data.

`(C) Standards for linking State motor vehicle databases under subsection (b)(3) and standards for the information to be contained in the databases.

`(D) Standards for security features or optical image layers to be placed on State drivers' licenses and identification cards under subsection (b)(4).

`(E) Standards for documentation of the identity and residence of an individual under subsection (b)(5), including a list of acceptable documents for establishing the identity and residence of an individual and procedures for verifying the authenticity of the documents.

`(F) Standards for a numbering system for State drivers' licenses and identification cards that prevents duplication between States and does not make use of the license or card holder's Social Security number.

`(3) CONSULTATION- Guidelines issued by the Secretary under this subsection shall be developed in consultation with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the General Services Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

`(4) ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES- The Secretary may issue guidelines under this subsection without regard to subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5.

`(d) GRANTS-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may make grants to each State to assist the State in developing and implementing a driver's license and identification card program that meet the requirements of subsection (b).

`(2) GRANTS FOR LINKING OF STATE MOTOR VEHICLE DATABASES- The Secretary may make separate grants under this subsection to each State to assist the State in developing and implementing computer technologies and databases required to link State motor vehicle databases under subsection (b)(3).

`(3) APPLICATIONS- A State seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application that is in such form and contains such information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall evaluate such applications in the order received and award grants upon approval of an application.

`(4) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of the cost of activities funded using amounts from a grant received by a State under this subsection shall be 100 percent or a lesser percentage determined by the Secretary.

`(5) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM GSA- For purposes of section 201(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 481(a)), a State carrying out activities using amounts from a grant under this section shall be treated as an executive agency and part of the Department of Transportation when carrying out such activities. For purposes of carrying out such activities, the Secretary shall, at the request of a State, enter into an agreement for the acquisition, on behalf of the State, of any goods, services, or supplies available to the Secretary from the General Services Administration, including acquisitions from prime venders. All such acquisitions shall be undertaken through the most efficient and speedy means practicable, including through electronic ordering arrangements.

`(6) REPORTS- The Secretary shall require a State that receives a grant under this subsection to submit to the Secretary, not later than 1 year after the date of implementation of the activities funded using the amounts of the grant, a report on the results of the activities.

`(7) REPAYMENT-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if the Secretary determines that a State receiving a grant under this subsection has not met the requirements of subsection (b) on or before the last day of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary may require the State to repay, in whole or in part, the total amount received by the State in grants under this subsection.

`(B) GRANTS FOR LINKING OF STATE MOTOR VEHICLE DATABASES- In the case of a grant received under paragraph (2), if the Secretary determines that a State receiving the grant has not met the requirements of subsection (b)(3) on or before the last day of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary may require the State to repay, in whole or in part, the total amount received by the State in grants under paragraph (2).

`(8) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated--

`(A) $100,000,000 for making grants under paragraph (1); and

`(B) $200,000,000 for making grants under paragraph (2).

Such sums shall remain available until expended.

`(e) TRANSITION FROM NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER- After the last day of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, no amounts may be appropriated to carry out chapter 303 of title 49. The
Secretary shall provide for the orderly transition from the National Driver Register maintained under such chapter 303 to the program established under subsection (b)(3).'.


(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The analysis for such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subchapter I the following:

`165. State driver's license and identification card programs.'.

SEC. 4. FORGERY OR FALSE USE OF DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD.

(a) IN GENERAL- Title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 123 the following:

`CHAPTER 125--STATE DRIVERS' LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS

`Sec.

`2731. Definitions.

`2732. Forgery, fraudulent acquisition, or false use of driver's license or identification card.

`Sec. 2731. Definitions

`In this chapter, the terms `driver's license' and `identification card' have the meanings given such terms in section 165 of title 23.

`Sec. 2732. Forgery, fraudulent acquisition, or false use of driver's license or identification card

`Whoever--

`(1) falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates, or alters any driver's license or identification card or instrument purporting to be a driver's license or identification card, with intent that the license or card may be used,

`(2) except by lawful authority, makes a template or similar device from which there may be printed a counterfeit driver's license or identification card,

`(3) obtains or assists in obtaining a driver's license or identification card through willful misrepresentation of identity, presentation of falsified identity documents such as birth certificates or passports, or other fraudulent representation,

`(4) tampers with, alters, or destroys a computer chip embedded in a driver's license or identification card or data contained on the computer chip, or

`(5) except by lawful authority, accesses data contained on a computer chip embedded in a driver's license or identification card,

shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.'.

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of chapters at the beginning of part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
2731'.


SEC. 5. INNOVATIVE USES PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) IN GENERAL- The National Science Foundation may make grants to States for the implementation of programs that utilize computer chips embedded in drivers' licenses and identification cards (as such terms are defined in section 165 of title 23, United States Code) for innovative uses that enhance government services.

(b) INNOVATIVE USES- The innovative uses referred to in subsection (a) may include the issuance of food stamps, voter registration, and other digital government applications that streamline and simplify State services to residents, including uses authorized under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.).

(c) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of the cost of activities funded using amounts from a grant received under this section shall not exceed 50 percent.

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated for making grants under this section $15,000,000. Such sums shall remain available until expended.


Post  41449  by  pmcw       OT: Router Question


Post  41450  by  wilful10       Reply
Berkeley CA USA.. Where are Hayden and Rubin?

School-sponsored 9-11 Remembrance Day to exclude patriotic symbols and religious references
By Steve Sexton



The "Star Spangled Banner" is too patriotic, divisive and political, so organizers of UC Berkeley's day-long tribute to the victims and heroes of 9-11 are excluding it. "God Bless America" is doubly excluded. Not only is it patriotic, but it also mentions God, something else that is taboo next Wednesday.

The Sept. 11 Day of Remembrance, sponsored by the Chancellor's office, the student body government and the Graduate Assembly, will also feature student leaders distributing white ribbons, instead of the red, white and blue ones they had originally planned.

"We thought that may be just too political, too patriotic," said Hazel Wong, chief organizer for the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC). "We didn't want anything too centered on nationalism-anything that is 'Go U.S.A.'"

Wong said the event organizers are "trying to steer away" from anything political, and that, she said, includes singing the National Anthem and displaying the red, white, and blue. She said they don't want politics disrupting mourning and grieving.

"To hold a Sept. 11 memorial service devoid of patriotism is counterintuitive," said Mark Engberg, a UC Berkeley freshman. "Holding a service without patriotism is like holding a presidential debate without mentioning politics. It doesn't work."

Jessica Quindel, president of the Graduate Assembly, a key player in the planning, said the day's events are about more than just grieving. She said the day is, in fact, about politics. And it's not just about Sept. 11, but also the aftermath, including President Bush's response to the terrorist attacks.

"We are trying to stay away from supporting Bush," Quindel said. "We don't want to isolate people on this campus who disagree with the reaction to Sept. 11."

Quindel, a self avowed hater of the American Flag, the federal government, and the "Star Spangled Banner," said she is still patriotic. "It depends on your definition of patriotism. Everyone has a different definition," she said.

Patriotic songs may exclude and offend people, Quindel said, "because there are so many people who don't agree with the songs." "God Bless America" is "very exclusive" because it mentions God, she said. Though plans call for four university music and song groups to perform at an evening vigil, not a single patriotic song will be sung, at the behest of organizers. Instead, songs of remembrance will be offered up.

Also, to prevent the exclusion of those who don't believe in the American Flag, there will be no tribute to the flag. "The flag has become a symbol of U.S. aggression towards other countries. It seems hostile," Quindel said.

Quindel will be one of two people selecting speakers for short speeches by students during a noontime event on Memorial Glade. Students must pre-register indicating the topic of the comments they wish to make-classifying them into categories of mourning, religious and political.

That system doesn't wash with Robb McFadden, director of the California College Republicans. "If Quindel and her Marxist comrades are selecting the speakers, I think there are serious violations of fundamental fairness," he said. "How can we expect freedom of speech to be filtered through such a radical political ideologue?"

Scheduled speakers at the Memorial Glade assembly include Chancellor Robert Berdahl, ASUC President Jesse Gabriel, and Quindel. They will likely speak, according to Wong, about peace.

Those who aren't selected to speak by Quindel and her undergraduate counterpart, Gabriel, will have an opportunity to speak at an open microphone assembly in the evening. But if last year's open microphone assembly on the night the attacks occurred is any guide, there will likely not be an opportunity for patriotic speech Wednesday. At last Sept. 11's vigil, members of the Berkeley College Republicans were shouted down while speaking of patriotism.

The primary planner for Chancellor Berdahl, Colleen Rovetti, director of university events and ceremonies, said she did not know avoiding patriotism was an overriding objective of the student planners. She echoed remarks by other organizers stressing their intent to make the event a memorial and not a protest.

Gabriel said organizers aim to "separate political beliefs from mourning." "Singing 'God Bless America' may prompt people to shout it down," he said.

Similar fears of aggression toward the flag prompted Berkeley's fire chief to order American flags removed from fire trucks. City leaders worried protesters would attack the flag and comprise firefighters' ability to do their job. After national outcry, the flags were returned to the fire trucks.

Members of the Berkeley College Republicans attended the student senate meeting last night to urge their elected leaders to alter the plans for the Sept. 11 memorial to include patriotic themes.

"If we leave patriotism and religion out of this event, we'd be reducing the memorial to a bunch of anti-American whining, said Republican ASUC Senator Paul LaFata. "Patriotism has a place on this campus, and by excluding it, the ASUC has done exactly what they wanted to avoid. They have offended students."

The Republicans were countered by those supporting the decision of the event organizers. The decision's proponents argued that patriotism leads to nationalism. They also said patriotism would exclude students who are not American citizens.

Quindel said it would be inappropriate for the university to endorse patriotic themes, and urged students to express their views at the open microphone sessions.




Post  41451  by  pmcw       OT: Wil, Thanks for sharing. I had several ideas


Post  41452  by  pmcw       Reply
Apple Keeps x86 Torch Lit with 'Marklar'
By Matthew Rothenberg, and Nick dePlume, Think Secret

As Apple Computer Inc. draws up its game plan for the CPUs that will power its future generations of Mac hardware, the company is holding an ace in the hole: a feature-complete version of Mac OS X running atop the x86 architecture.

According to sources, the Cupertino, Calif., Mac maker has been working steadily on maintaining current, PC-compatible builds of its Unix-based OS. The project (code-named Marklar, a reference to the race of aliens on the "South Park" cartoons) has been ongoing inside Apple since the early days of its transition to the Unix-based Mac OS X in the late '90s.

Sources said more than a dozen software engineers are tasked to Marklar, and the company's mainstream Mac OS X team is regularly asked to modify code to address bugs that crop up when compiling the OS for x86. Build numbers keep pace with those of their pre-release PowerPC counterparts; for example, Apple is internally running a complete, x86-compatible version of Jaguar, a k a Mac OS X 10.2, which shipped last week.

Apple did not return calls requesting comment.

But a switch to Intel or Advanced Micro Devices Inc. processors is probably not in the cards for tomorrow's Macs, sources said. Such a move would require a massive revision of Apple's closed hardware architecture and a fundamental rethinking of its business model, which is founded on tight integration between its proprietary system software and hardware. Apple would have to also coax most of its third-party developers to rewrite their applications from the ground up in the company's Cocoa application environment. (Most major vendors have instead tuned their applications to Carbon, a set of Mac OS X-compatible APIs originally culled from the classic Mac OS and rooted in the PowerPC architecture.)

Nevertheless, Marklar has apparently gained strategic relevance in recent months, as Apple's relationship with Motorola has grown strained and Apple looks to alternative chip makers.

Apple has reportedly been dissatisfied with the slow rate of Motorola's PowerPC development after committing to the PowerPC G4 as the centerpiece of its current desktops and professional laptop systems. The Power Mac G4 systems Apple unveiled in August topped off with a dual-1.25GHz system, a disappointing increase from the dual-GHz top model released in January. Meanwhile, users have debated whether the DDR support in the new systems is fully exploited by the G4 processors Motorola was able to provide.

The likeliest solution to the Motorola impasse, sources said: A desktop version of the 64-bit Power4 server chip in the works from IBM, which co-developed the PowerPC platform alongside Motorola and Apple and has provided CPUs for a variety of Macs. Sources told eWEEK that Apple and IBM are collaborating closely to equip the Power4 with the Altivec vector-processing capabilities built into the PowerPC G4. IBM is expected to discuss its new CPU at October's Microprocessor Forum.

As it weighs the future of the Mac as a PowerPC platform, Marklar offers a relatively low-cost way of keeping the company's options open. "It's a hedge," one observer said. "It's a small price to pay to make sure Apple has a fallback plan."

"Steve [Jobs] has said Mac OS X is the OS for the next 15 years," another source said. "Marklar is a way of making sure that's true."

Jobs himself has hinted that Apple won't be constrained by the PowerPC alliance if better options present themselves. The Apple CEO renewed speculation about Apple's hardware future with remarks he made at a July meeting with analysts. "Between Motorola and IBM, the roadmap looks pretty decent," Jobs said. However, he said that after early 2003 (when he forecast the transition to Mac OS X would be complete), the company will re-examine its processor partnerships. "We'll have options, and we like to have options"

At the company's shareholder meeting in April, however, Jobs asserted that Apple has "no plans" for a switch to Intel. When a shareholder argued that a move could be beneficial to the company, Jobs replied, "That is an opinion."

Despite its current PowerPC pedigree, Mac OS X's roots tap Intel hardware. In December 1996, Apple acquired NeXT Software Inc. and its Intel-compatible OpenStep operating system. Under the company's "Rhapsody" OS strategy, it planned to base the next-generation Mac OS on OpenStep, shipping an Intel version to provide a cross-platform development environment. While developer previews of Rhapsody for Intel were released, it was never shipped to customers and quietly left the limelight as Apple's software strategy was refined into today's OS X.

Apple's current efforts come nearly a decade after the company grounded its "Star Trek" program, a collaboration with Novell to develop the Mac's System 7 on Intel microprocessors. While a working prototype was put together in just three months, interest from PC vendors never materialized. In 1993 the project was rolled into Apple's Advanced Technology Group before it fell victim to budget cuts.






Post  41453  by  spirare       Reply
ot. U.S. buildup estimated at 100,000 troops, 1,000 military planners


Special to World Tribune.com
GEOSTRATEGY-DIRECT.COM
Wednesday, September 4, 2002

The United States continues its military buildup in and around the Persian Gulf with
analysts estimating up to 100,000 troops within striking distance of Iraq.

U.S. military sources and analysts said Washington has sent tens of thousands of
soldiers and military personnel to Gulf Arab states, Central and South Asia and the
Levant. They said the force includes at least 1,000 military planners who have
prepared for a rapid airlift of forces in case Washington decides on a war against
Iraq.

The U.S. Defense Department has been bolstering its transport ship fleet as well as
preparing its air cargo fleet to defend against Islamic insurgents and Iraqi forces,
Middle East Newsline reported. On Aug. 27, the Pentagon said it awarded Northrop
Grumman a $23.2 million contract to provide the C-17 transport aircraft with
systems to defend against infrared surface-to-air missiles.

The Pentagon has also awarded a $20.5 million contract for the maintenance and
overhaul of the U.S. Navy's reserve air fleet. The award for iBASEt, based om Lake
Forest, Calif., is meant to support a range of air programs.

Must read: BREAKDOWN, the new book by Bill Gertz

Analysts said the total number of U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf and surrounding
regions now number around 100,000. They said this could enable a U.S. attack on
Iraq within weeks of a decision by President George Bush.

The Washington-based Center for Defense Information said the U.S. troop
deployment effort has been muted and taken in cooperation with host countries.
The center said in a report that the cooperation is meant to keep the airlift out of the
public eye.

"Notably, the command posts throughout the southern Gulf states and their
implication of offensive operations are as politically sensitive as ever," the center
said in a report authored by [Ret.] Rear Adm. Stephen Baker and Colin Robinson.
"The U.S. 'footprint' in each country requires actual personnel numbers, amount of
prepositioned equipment and support/cooperation agreements made with each
country to be kept out of the public?s knowledge."

The center said the United States maintains 8,000 troops in Afghanistan with
several thousand more aboard naval ships in the Arabian Sea. More than 20,000
additional soldiers are deployed in Gulf Arab countries.

[On Aug. 30, Germany Defense Minister Peter Struck warned that Berlin would
withdraw its military personnel from Kuwait if the United States attacks Iraq.
Germany maintains 52 soldiers and Fox infantry fighting vehicles and has been
training Kuwait in defending against a weapons of mass destruction attack.]

Moreover, more than 1,000 military planners, logistics experts and support
specialists have been deployed in command posts throughout the Persian Gulf, the
report said.

They are in real-time contact with U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa,
Fla. by video teleconferencing, satellite imagery and data link and have drafted
plans to ship up to 200,000 tons of heavy weapons and other equipment to the
region.

The center said the United States could also use military bases in Egypt and
Jordan for an attack on Iraq. Currently, the U.S. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is
exercising with Jordanian forces and the center did not rule out that the maneuvers
comprise a cover for prepositioning forces at well-sited forward staging posts.




Post  41454  by  danking_70       OT: How about this Reuters caption.


Post  41455  by  spirare       Reply
Ot. Hussein, Bin Laden Sued in U.S. In Attacks

Reuters
Thursday, September 5, 2002; Page A26

Fourteen hundred victims and family
members of those who died in the
Sept. 11 attacks sued Iraq and its
leader, Saddam Hussein, yesterday,
alleging there is evidence of a
conspiracy with Osama bin Laden
to attack the United States.

Two lawsuits, filed in Manhattan
federal court, demanded damages
totaling more than $1 trillion from a
long list of defendants including
Hussein; bin Laden; his al Qaeda
network; and Afghanistan's former
rulers, the Taliban.

The suits also seek damages from
the estates of the hijackers who
crashed commercial airliners into
the World Trade Center, the
Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.
Other defendants include banks and
charities.

Although other lawsuits have been
filed against some of the same
defendants, Jim Kreindler, one of
the lawyers bringing the litigation,
said the suits were the first to
include certain detailed information
about Iraq's alleged involvement in
the attacks.

Among new evidence cited in the
lawsuits was a July 2001 article
written by a columnist with links to
Iraqi intelligence who said bin
Laden was planning to attack the
Pentagon and White House. There
were also references to the World
Trade Center.

, The lawsuits were filed on behalf
of about 300 people who were
killed, most of them firefighters, and
1,100 people who were injured.
"The horrific events of September
11th were the result of a worldwide
terror conspiracy against the United
States involving primarily al Qaeda
and Iraq, who have conspired for
many years to attack the United
States and murder United States'
citizens," the lawsuits allege.

Among the new information cited is
an article written by Naeem Abd
Muhalhal published on July 21,
2001, in the newspaper Al
Nasiriyah. The author, a regular
columnist for the paper, is believed
to have ties to Iraqi intelligence.

The article appeared about six
weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks
and stated that bin Laden was
planning to "demolish the Pentagon
after he destroys the White House."

© 2002 The Washington Post Company




Post  41456  by  pmcw       Reply
Option Wrap-up:

1) Stock options awarded employees, officers, directors and consultants are an expense. The expense is to the shareholders; not the company. This expense is accurately reflected through showing the earnings per diluted share in the methods currently used to report income. Even though, this expense is represented accurately, it could be shown in a fashion that provides more details and is easier to understand.

A) Diluted share count (the count that includes options) is not shown on the income statement of a company that is showing a loss. The reason is that it would be "non-dilutive" to use a larger share count (divisor) when dividing a loss (more shares would shrink the loss per share). I feel there are a variety of ways to make the pending dilution more easily recognized in these cases than the current method.

B) Diluted share count when a company is showing a profit on an income statement can include a variety dilutive instruments. Outside options, convertible debt is the most common. Due to this, I suggest that a new line be added to the income statement called "Dilution Due to Options" and to rename the current line to "Total Diluted Share Count". I would also mandate a note referencing a chart that clearly lists each officer, director and non-employee (consultants, etc.), by name and title, and the number of shares (including potential profits) dedicated to each of them that are included in the dilution. I would also mandate that the chart show additional option grants (including the strike price, vesting date and expiration date) for shares not included. These options shall not be grouped, but broken out by award date and listed by exercise price. Any terminated or re-priced options shall be shown for five years. All employees that are not officers or directors would be shown on a single line.

2) Stock options are not evil any more than the steal used to make guns is evil. There are many valid uses for stock option compensation that are in the best interests of shareholders. (If you dispute this, please carefully read the examples included in the posts linked below.) However, just as a gun can be abused, so can stock options. Due to this, I would establish strict guidelines that require a vote of two thirds of all shareholders to violate.

http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=TABLE&read=41112&toppost=1

http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=TABLE&read=41342

A) Specify a maximum percentages of awarded and outstanding options that can be dedicated to officers, directors and non-employees as a combined group.

B) Specify a maximum annual dilution percentage for awarded and maturing options.

C) Require that companies with at least $1B (figured based on the average earnings of the last five years) in earnings purchase, on the open market, at least half of the number of shares they award as options each year.

D) Require that any company loaning any employee, director or individual outside the company any amount larger than 0.001% of their gross sales obtain the vote of the majority of the shareholders and that all loans be fully collateralized and that the collateral be appraised and the appraisal be bonded.

To better address the core problem plaguing American corporations we need to purify the board rooms. All too often, board rooms are more inbred than a five generation Ozark family with only three mothers. This is not an easy job, but I have some ideas.

1) For companies with over $1B in sales or those having eight or more directors, require that two directors be elected by only the retail shareholders (neither the insiders nor the institutions can vote on these board members). For companies with sales greater than $20M that have a retail float of greater than 20% of the outstanding shares, require that one director be elected exclusively by the retail shareholders. Require that the annual and quarterly reports include comments from the "retail board". Require that one retail board member be a member of the compensation committee. Require that any disagreement in proxy positions by the retail board be clearly stated in any proxy statement.

2) Establish a law stating that a person can sit on the board of no more than four publicly traded companies.

Tax Considerations:

1) End the ability of corporations to deduct the expense of options. They are not an expense for the corporation and the shareholder does not realize any expense or gain until shares are sold. Since options are a dynamic expense (there immediately when applicable) their expense is always included in the share price.

2) End the double taxation of dividends. Allow dividends to be a deductible expense for the corporation and be taken as a return non-taxable return of capital by the investor until such a time as the investor has reclaimed 100% of his or her original investment. At this time, dividends shall be treated as capital gains by the shareholder.

3) The cost basis price on incentive stock options (ISO's have a weird tax treatment that can make holding them very risky) shall be the exercise price and the holding period for all options exercised shall be from the date of exercise (NQO's which is the most common option for non-officers are taxed when exercised at short term capital gain rates even if they are held for years after exercise).

Regard, pmcw




Post  41457  by  jeffbas       Reply
pmcw, is TriMedia a cable-modem service provider, or DSL? I have Comcast cable modem service and get about half your speed, if I am lucky - probably due to "party-line" issues.



Post  41458  by  pmcw       Reply
jeff, TriMedia is my pet name (started using it on RB in 1999) for converged media (cable, broadband and phone) from one service and on one pipe.

Everest is the company and the maximum subscribers pre node is 250 (most are 150 or less). Regardless of who you have, in time the nodes will creep towards your desktop until you have fiber in your house.

Regards, pmcw


Post  41459  by  srudek       ot: pmcw-re Apple. Have you read that they are ex


Post  41460  by  gjwigginto       Reply
I don't recall TJ Rodgers' July commentary about GAAP accounting, options and more being posted here. If anyone missed it, ,there's a link to the .pdf file at http://www.cypress.com/aboutus/press_release.cfm?objectid=7511D2F1-9D8C-42E6-9D58FBBB86D61F01&method=display.

As usual, TJ had no mush in his mouth and it's well worth the read.

Regards,

GW


Post  41461  by  srudek       ot pmcw: re "purifying the boardroom" et


Post  41462  by  pmcw       Reply
sr, I've been a Jobs fan for quite some time. AAPL isn't on my short list, but it is certainly a company I feel has a great risk/reward equation and is priced at a value price.

Remember, the Newton was way ahead of its time, but very functional. Until this year, I still used them in a wirefree network to run the largest single fund raising event in the country for ACS.

I think everyone has missed the mark with the PDA and it's really easy to hit. I wrote about my dream product extensively on the COMS board in early 1999.

Of course, a PDA function, a parallel port (like springboard), a firewire or at least USB2.0 for audio and video, a phone, 802.11b (OK it could be an expansion device, but I think it should be included in the higher end models) and a strong enough IR port to where it can be a universal remote control. With the stronger IR port I would add the software for bar code scanning. This way it could be used to tally a grocery list by scanning products as they run out or low on supply. You could even have it automatically search the web for coupons for scanned items. Options would include a camera and GPS (some phones have this now). I can't emphasize enough the market expansion they would get by just adding the software and a stronger IR diode. The hardware cost would be about a dime at most. The whole key to succeeding in this space is to consolidate the existing markets (phone, PDA, music and potentially digital video) to a degree and then to open a whole new market by making it useful in the home (universal remote and bar code scanning which would raise the cost less than $0.10).

If you think the product sound cool, you would love how I would take it to market.

Regards, pmcw




Post  41463  by  oldCADuser       Reply
Very good wrap-up, PMCW. While I have not participated in this particular "debate", I have been reading the comments with interest and think that perhaps your latest contribution is pretty much along the lines of what at least feels reasonable for someone like myself (who BTW, has made money in the past and hope to make a lot more in the future from exercising stock options).

Anyway, good work. Now how do we get the collective wisdom of this message board into the hands of someone who is in a position to actually do something about it?

OCU




Post  41464  by  pmcw       Reply
sr, I love the suggestion of empowering shareholders. A group of shareholders got deeply involved at XICO in mid 2000 and fundamentally ousted the CEO/Chairman. This group met through the web. In other words, I know it works!

However, on the other side of the coin, you also have to consider the voting record of America in the presidential elections......... ;o)

Regards, pmcw




Post  41465  by  oldCADuser       Reply
Since you brought it up...

"you also have to consider the voting record of America in the presidential elections"

...what we need to do is to just make sure that ALL the votes get counted, PERIOD.

Sorry, PMCW, I couldn't resist that ;-).

OCU




Post  41466  by  pmcw       Reply
OCU, It saddens me beyond belief, but I don't think even 10% of our elected officials in Washington really care about what is right and what will work. Their first job is clearly to get elected and their second job is to get (keep) their party in power. Of course, the rationalize this priority as the end justifies the means, but we know that's simply not reality.

The Republicans followed this mission when Clinton was in office and its clear that the Democrats are he11 bent to do the same. There are so many things they could be doing right now it astounds me more Americans aren't enraged.

Regards, pmcw


Post  41467  by  pmcw       OT: OCU, May I add one little word - accurately!


Post  41468  by  pmcw       Reply
gw, I skipped by it because I feel it has one glowing mistake. Let's see if anyone else catches the flaw. Regards, pmcw



Post  41469  by  srudek       Reply
pmcw: I think it sounds cool! Batteries might be a problem with all that power, though.

I got a Kyocera "Smartphone" (cell+palm pda) a few years ago and I absolutely LOVE it. Not that it couldn't be even better, but that prior to this I had purchased a number of PDAs (HP "LX" w/ DOS&123 built-in and a PSION) and a number of cell phones and had been generally disappointed. The combo is easily 5 times as useful, imo, as either alone. (I still miss the Lotus 123 w macros, though.) I've considered looking at some of the newer pda+phones with their faster processors and color screens, but I wouldn't trade the long battery life (several days) for that.

I've had people notice my relatively large phone and think it was just a relic . . . until I've flipped it open to check my schedule, phone direct from my contact list, or log on to the web. PDA/Phone combos are going to replace stand alone PDAs, I am sure, within a very few years. I think Apple could sink Palm within 12 months if they did a PDA/phone right.

So how do we get your product to market? (1/2 ;-)


Post  41470  by  Czechsinthemail       OT: I've tried to refrain from posting on matters
Post  41471  by  ferociousD       OT: View from another source-
Post  41472  by  clo       OT:Czechsinthemail, your post knocked me out!
Post  41473  by  ferociousD       OCD-Face reality, Bush won the election-


Post  41474  by  lkorrow       Reply
wilful, This is sickening. eom.

Post  41475  by  ferociousD       I had Hayden for a Prof in 1968-
Post  41476  by  clo       OT:ferociousD, did he ever return??? ;)) clo
Post  41477  by  oldCADuser       OT: Couldn't agree with you more...


Post  41478  by  pmcw       Reply
sr, The issues of overcoming power consumption aren't as challenging as you might think. I'm not familiar with power profile requirements of a digital camera, but I don't envision a high resolution capable device; something more along the lines of a low end job with only digital zoom. Therefore the power for imaging and recording in FLASH memory would be minimal. The biggest power hog would be the transmitting section of the phone and that is something that we just live with today.

From a processing perspective, it is very easy to manage power. One simply only has the processor task the active function and use a variable clock speed architecture (clock speed, the number of active transistors and the number of clock cycles per task drive the power requirement).

Basically, it would only take as much power as the function you were using at a given moment required. The processor would throttle way back when it was just a scanner or TV remote and only come into full use when working the most difficult tasks. And remember, it is only doing one thing at a time. The real issue for power is that the device would be used more hours per day since it would perform a variety of functions. However, if these are functions you are already using discrete devices to accomplish, your gross power usage would be no more and probably less than what you use to run the various devices now.

The thing that would make it practical is that the PDA requires certain capabilities that are more than enough to perform most of the other tasks. It has enough processing power and a larger enough screen to support any of the other functions I described. When functions were activated that didn't require the processing power the clock speed and raw functionality of the processor could easily be pulled down to where it took no more juice than the microcontroller in your TV remote. The large display is also easy to manage. Simply design it as a virtual screen size so that the user could resize the actual display area to match the function.

Now, the marketing would be another story. You're an easy mark. From what you've said, you're what they call an early adapter. I think the device would attract your set with minimal marketing. Far too many companies waste enormous amount of money with "ego marketing" selling to the choir. My ideas are more focused at those who have never owned a PDA and probably wouldn't even buy it if you called it a PDA.

My goals would not only be to capture the set of customers who have VCR's flashing 12:00, but do so in a way that creates a recurring revenue stream. Selling razors is one thing, but selling blades is quite another. The other key is to capture the customers in such a way that they never stray and they continue to pay.

Remember when I wrote you about my methods of tracking the Return on Time? It is predicated on the theory that when employing a well designed marketing system one's cost for repeat business will be measurably less than the cost to obtain new business. Just selling PDA's, in the way they have historically been sold, doesn't leverage this theory. for the most part, the classical marketing of PDA's is a "one off" gambit with a hope of building the momentum that comes from market share. Kind of the tailor theory on steroids (I lose a little on each one, but make it up in volume). Until a PDA company realizes there is a much better way to go to market, there will be no dominant player nor one that ever realizes anything more than moderate profitability. Of course, I've often said that if there were marketing police most of the tech industry would be serving life without parole.

Exactly how I would go to market is something I'll keep under my hat for now. However, if I see a light bulb go on somewhere in the industry, particularly at AAPL, you can't bet I'll speak my mind.

Regards, pmcw


Post  41479  by  ferociousD       AI said, those were interesting times-