🚀 go-pugleaf

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:05:05 -0700, in <i1r6l0$1q7$2@speranza.aioe.org>,
JC Dill <jcdill.lists@gmail.com> wrote:

>David Kaye wrote:
>> JC Dill <jcdill.lists@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> First, viability doesn't *just* mean financial status.  [....]
>> 
>> Put whatever spin on it you like, but Apple was down in the dumps when 
>> Microsoft came along and invested in it.  The root of the term "viable" means 
>> "life", and without financial stability there is no life to a company.
>
>All of this is true, but it doesn't mean Apple wasn't viable without 
>Microsoft.  The deal with Microsoft made apple MORE viable.  The key to 
>this deal was the agreement to make software for Macs, not the financial 
>investment which was quite small (~10%) compared to Apple's ample cash 
>reserves of over 1 billion dollars.

"Microsoft to invest $150 million in Apple"

Microsoft is lending Apple Computer an unexpected and somewhat
controversial helping hand.

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said today As the Macworld turns that the
software giant will invest $150 million in Apple and will develop and
ship future versions of its Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and
development tools for the Macintosh.

Gates, who appeared via satellite link, and Apple director Steve Jobs
made the announcement here today at the Macworld Expo trade show.

Both Apple and Microsoft executives denied that the Microsoft investment
represents a path to converging the companies' operating systems.
However, they said they had agreed to work out a settlement to a
long-standing dispute over whether Microsoft's Windows operating system
infringes on any of Apple's patents. 

More important, Microsoft said it has pledged to offer the Office
business productivity software suite for the Macintosh platform for the
next five years. Mac Office 98 is expected to debut by the end of the
year.

"This deal strengthens Apple's viability. It's a new era in terms of
Apple and Microsoft working together," said Apple chief financial
officer Fred Anderson, who has been assigned to run the company's daily
operations until a successor to outgoing CEO Gilbert Amelio is found. 

MORE: <http://news.cnet.com/2100-1001-202143.html>

-- 
John

"Assumption is the mother of all screw ups."
[Wethern�s Law of Suspended Judgement]