A couple of weeks ago I linked to the poll about Oracle’s next acquisition. This is a quick update to let you all know, that the results are in. Go and have a look, and make sure to check the comments – there are some interesting discussions.
Tag: business
Sideshow – Cyprus web design company
For years I’ve been complaining about the web design situation in Cyprus. Most web design companies here suck. And most of the websites that they do suck even more. Once in a while, though, I’d mention this or that website that was standing out. Finally, I can mention a web design company that stands out and that makes websites that stand out too – Sideshow.
Yes, like every other company, they have their problems (front page of their website doesn’t validate clean) and they don’t do everything the way I would have done it (they are using Vimeo for videos, not YouTube), but I am still impressed with their work. They use Drupal CMS extensively. They truly know what social media is about, with Facebook and Twitter integrations and team tweets, their own blog, RSS feeds, and more. Their design work is fresh and modern. And their portfolio is shining. Remember, when I was praising the new Cyprus Mail website? That’s the company who did it. They even print their business cards with Moo, what more can I say?
I’m so glad I found them. I have people left and right asking me where to go for a new website, and until now I have been very reluctant to refer them to any of the webdesign companies I know. But now I have a proper reference. And even though I haven’t worked with them personally, I think I am in the position to judge their work. And as I said, I am impressed. Respect!
P.S.: no, this is not a paid ad. I truly am glad and impressed.
P.P.S.: if you are a web designer or web developer in Cyprus, they are hiring. If there is one web company to work for in Cyprus, that’s this one.
Bill Gates, Warren Buffett : Give away half your money!
This is one of those things where nothing that I might say will make it anymore believable. Heck, even the quote from The Wall Street Journal seems like a hoax:
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett announced today that 40 signers, including at least 30 billionaires and other wealthy families, had officially made the Giving Pledge–a promise to give away more than half their fortunes.
I think they are just trying to prove Chris Rock wrong (from 1:28 and further):
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m37JkkGjAY]
Who’s next in the long list of Oracle acquisitions?
ERP Software Advice has an interesting summary of Oracle’s mergers and acquisitions for the last few years. Here is an excellent graphical representation:
But not only that. They are trying to figure out who is the next in line. If you have an opinion on this matter – vote in their poll. If you don’t – check the article anyway – it’s pretty cool.
As for me, I am not that well familiar with Oracle’s business, but judging by a few comments here and there, one company that they won’t buy anytime soon is EMC. If I remember correctly, because there is some personal affair going on. Or maybe that’s just all rumors and my misunderstanding of it all.
Where did all the Linux netbooks go?
Adam Williamson asks the question after doing a bit of research across several major vendors and online shops.
where the hell did all the Linux netbooks go? In 2007 you couldn’t buy a netbook with Windows; in 2008 to 2009 you could still walk into a big box store just about anywhere and pick from a few with Linux; now, you can buy one from one store in England with an Android dual boot, one from a hidden page on Ubuntu’s site with an inferior configuration to its equally-priced Windows equivalent, and one from a very well hidden bit of HP’s site with a $132 premium over its identically-specified Windows equivalent.
I am not a big expert in this matter, but I tend to agree with some of his conclusions:
the cynical side of me can come up with a lot of explanations as to where all those pre-loads went, and all of them involve large amounts of money going out of Microsoft bank accounts
And I think that’s pretty reasonable. After the netbook market is different from the desktop one. In the desktop world, Linux has a number of ongoing problems, such as office applications, games, and so on and so forth. But most netbooks aren’t powerful enough to run those applications. Their primary use is of a simple Internet device – browsing the web, reading email, chatting, etc. And for this purpose, the operating system is pretty much irrelevant. Most of these tasks are done in the browser. And browser-wise Linux is rich – Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, and more.
So, how come all these netbooks are now selling with Windows and not Linux. It can’t be just Microsoft Internet Explorer. After all, most end users don’t even know what the browser is. There must be another reason. And probably it’s not a technical reason. And as Adam says, it must be some of those reasons that involve large amounts of money going out of Microsoft bank accounts.
If you have any other ideas, please do share via comments.