[PLUG-TALK] So what is happeneing at Microsoft?

[MJang]

Folks,

So with MS OS share falling below 90%, with broswer share falling below
70%, there have been persistent reports of layoffs in certain blogs,
perhaps pushed by Wall Street - 
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/010509-microsoft-layoff-rumors.html 

"Rumors of layoffs have been swirling as far back as mid-December when
Brad Reback, an analyst with Oppenheimer & Co., said in a report that
Microsoft layoffs would be “well-received" by Wall Street. He also said
it would show that profit is more important than growing revenue, a
well-know trait Microsoft has developed."

The layoff rumors ranged as high as 17% of the workforce

But the linked article suggests that it's just a rumor, but contract
employees are being let go. 

In contrast, Red Hat seems optimistic:

www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a_z4qWl8jJd8&refer=home  

"Red Hat Inc. gained 8.5 percent to $12.99. The world’s biggest seller
of Linux software forecast fourth-quarter profit that exceeded analysts’
estimates. The company is capitalizing on the recession by touting its
software as a way to trim costs. "

Thanks,
Mike