I’m wondering what excuses Microsoft will invent to explain away the fact that Apple has now surpassed Microsoft in terms of market value. The unofficial version from Microsoft, delivered over the past few years in off-the-record conversations, has basically boiled down to the notion that investors are fickle creatures who are so swept up in Apple’s hype and hysteria that they fail to see how great Microsoft still is. [NEWSWEEK has a content-sharing partnership with msnbc.com, a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.]
But honestly, when you look at charts like this one from The New York Times you do start to wonder how this once powerful company could have fallen so far so fast.
And it is getting harder and harder for Microsoft to keep insisting that its CEO, Steve Ballmer, is doing a great job.
Last year I wrote a column for NEWSWEEK explaining how poorly Microsoft has performed in the 10 years since Ballmer took over.
I followed up soon after that with an essay for NEWSWEEK predicting that Ballmer would be pushed out of the company in 2010.
All I did was point out the obvious. Microsoft stock has been a dud under Ballmer. The Vista operating system was a disaster. Microsoft missed pretty much every big, new important market for the past decade: Internet search (Google), digital music (Apple), social networking (Facebook). Microsoft once had a lead in mobile-phone software, and now has become an also-ran.
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Thursday, May 27, 2010
Artest beats buzzer, lifts Lakers past Suns
L.A. takes 3-2 lead in Western Conference finals with 103-101 win
Lucy Nicholson / Reuters
Lakers forward Ron Artest jumps into the arms of teammate Kobe Bryant after scoring the winning basket against the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night.
BREAKING NEWS
updated 49 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - A path through the lane suddenly opened up before Ron Artest. Kobe Bryant’s missed 3-pointer dropped right into his hands, and Artest’s awkward layup banked neatly through the net as the buzzer sounded on Game 5 of the Western Conference finals
.
What a pretty finish to an ugly game for the Lakers’ veteran troublemaker, who has struggled to find his role throughout his first season with the defending champions — and what a strange, thrilling way for Artest to carve out his own spot in the Lakers’ playoff lore.
Artest banked home the winning shot after grabbing the biggest offensive rebound of his career, nudging the Lakers past the Phoenix Suns 103-101 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 series lead.
Train 'sabotage' in India kills scores
Maoists blamed for 'tinkering done to the tracks,' blast as at least 65 die
By Bappa Majumdar
updated 7 minutes ago
NEW DELHI - Maoist rebels were suspected of sabotaging a high-speed train in eastern India on Friday, killing at least 65 people after it smashed into the path of a goods train, officials said.
Local television showed the mangled wreckage of capsized carriages across the tracks and the death toll was expected to rise as many passengers were still trapped. At least 200 people were injured.
"So far we have recovered 40 bodies but the toll will rise further," N.S. Nigam, a senior local government official, told Reuters. Media reports quoting government officials said at least 65 people were killed.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said a bomb had hit the train, but police said they were also looking at other sabotage methods such as the removal of the tracks' "fish plates".
"From whatever I have been told the apprehension is the Maoists were involved," Banerjee said.
The crash occurred in West Bengal state in an area known to be a stronghold of Maoist rebels. Maoists, who say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless, have attacked trains in the past and have stepped up attacks in recent months.
Fence alone can't plug porous border
Oft-breached barrier doesn't stop politicians from citing it
 | A new border fence designed to stop vehicle traffic at the U.S.-Mexico border runs for several miles in San Miguel, Ariz. |
Ross D. Franklin / AP |
By JACQUES BILLEAUD
updated 7:10 p.m. CT, Thurs., May 27, 2010
NOGALES, Ariz. - The fence rises from the rock and hardscrabble of the desert floor, a formidable 15-foot-high curtain of corrugated metal that stretches into the mirage of heat and distance. Newer sections feature 20-foot high steel columns, deeply planted, narrowly spaced, so no human slips between.
The start-and-stop span — 646 miles long — has become a fierce polemic, a bumper sticker, a popular backdrop for campaign commercials during an election year with another sulfurous immigration debate.
The best known TV spot features Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain kicking along a dusty road in this hilly border city, fuming to his companion, the Pinal County sheriff, about drugs and immigrant smugglers and kidnappings. Wearing his Navy baseball cap and squinting into the sun, McCain could be rounding the corner to the gunfight at the OK Corral.
Game 5: Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Stream | NBA Conference Finals 2010
Starting live by 9:00 PM ET, it’s Game 5of Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers for the NBA Western Conference Finals 2010 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California.The series is tied at 2-2 in the Western Conference Finals. Game 5 is pivotal for both the Lakers and the Suns.
The Lakers are reeling and didn't know what hit them in Phoenix while the Suns are scorching hot. Will the Suns continue their hot streak in LA?
Watch Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers live stream through various sports channels, both local and national as well as online live streaming websites such as SOPCast, uStream and JustinTV. More details below.
Those who would like to watch Suns vs Lakers live stream can check out the national broadcast at TNT. There are unofficial live streams available HERE but we cannot guarantee a good quality HD.
For live scores and commentaries of the Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers basketball match, you can head over to ESPN here to read how the game unfolds in real time.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE GAME
The Lakers are reeling and didn't know what hit them in Phoenix while the Suns are scorching hot. Will the Suns continue their hot streak in LA?
Watch Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers live stream through various sports channels, both local and national as well as online live streaming websites such as SOPCast, uStream and JustinTV. More details below.
Those who would like to watch Suns vs Lakers live stream can check out the national broadcast at TNT. There are unofficial live streams available HERE but we cannot guarantee a good quality HD.
For live scores and commentaries of the Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers basketball match, you can head over to ESPN here to read how the game unfolds in real time.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE GAME
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Birthright Citizenship Law Proposed in Arizona
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Expensive Aliens: How Much Do Illegal Immigrants Really Cost?
May 21, 2010
So which one is it?
The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a conservative advocacy group that favors tighter immigration laws, argues that the answer is clear: illegal aliens cost U.S. taxpayers more than $100 billion each year.
Jack Martin, director of special projects for FAIR, says the group is still working on its estimate, but believes undocumented workers leave taxpayers with a fat bill, considering that the government spends money on the workers, and they almost never pay income taxes.
Read More
Obama orders 1,200 Guard troops to border
$500 million also sought to improve protection, law enforcement
Ross D. Franklin / AP file
A United States National Guard unit patrols the Arizona-Mexico border in Sasabe, Ariz., in this Jan. 19, 2007, file photo. President Obama on Tuesday pledged 1,200 National Guardsman but Arizona's two senators say that's not enough.
msnbc.com news services
updated 2 hours, 29 minutes ago
TUCSON, Ariz. - President Barack Obama on Tuesday ordered 1,200 National Guard troops to boost security along the U.S.-Mexico border, pre-empting Republican plans to try to force votes on such a deployment.
Obama will also request $500 million for border protection and law enforcement activities, according to lawmakers and administration officials.
The president announced the deployment shortly after he returned from lunch with the 41-member Senate Republican Caucus, who told him that U.S. borders first need to be secured before work could start on a sweeping overhaul of U.S. immigration laws. Arizona's two Republican senators said the deployment wasn't enough.
Game 4: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Live Stream | NBA Conference Finals 2010
Starting live by 9:00 PM ET, it’s Game 4 of LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns for the NBA Western Conference Finals 2010 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. The LA Lakers are looking to get a 3-1 series lead over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Western Conference Finals 2010. The Phoenix Suns are looking to tie the series to 2-2 apiece.
Watch Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers live stream through various sports channels, both local and national as well as online live streaming websites such as SOPCast, uStream and JustinTV. More details below.
“It’s all part of the game, every part of it,” Bryant said. “I love a long layoff. Everybody on our team is pretty much banged up, so it’s good to get rest and get ready for what’s in front of you.”
Those who would like to watch Suns vs Lakers live stream can check out the national broadcast at TNT. There are unofficial live streams available HERE but we cannot guarantee a good quality HD.
For live scores and commentaries of the Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers basketball match, you can head over to ESPN here to read how the game unfolds in real time.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE GAME
Watch Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers live stream through various sports channels, both local and national as well as online live streaming websites such as SOPCast, uStream and JustinTV. More details below.
“It’s all part of the game, every part of it,” Bryant said. “I love a long layoff. Everybody on our team is pretty much banged up, so it’s good to get rest and get ready for what’s in front of you.”
Those who would like to watch Suns vs Lakers live stream can check out the national broadcast at TNT. There are unofficial live streams available HERE but we cannot guarantee a good quality HD.
For live scores and commentaries of the Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers basketball match, you can head over to ESPN here to read how the game unfolds in real time.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE GAME
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Game 3: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Live Stream | NBA Conference Finals 2010
Starting live by 8:30 PM ET, it’s Game 3 of LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns for the NBA Western Conference Finals 2010 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. The LA Lakers are looking to get a 3-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Western Conference Finals 2010.
Watch Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers live stream through various sports channels, both local and national as well as online live streaming websites such as SOPCast, uStream and JustinTV. More details below.
After both teams got a week off to rest and recalibrate, the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to reach their third straight NBA finals when they take on the Phoenix Suns, starting in Game 2 on Monday night.
“It’s all part of the game, every part of it,” Bryant said. “I love a long layoff. Everybody on our team is pretty much banged up, so it’s good to get rest and get ready for what’s in front of you.”
Those who would like to watch Suns vs Lakers live stream can check out the national broadcast at TNT. There are unofficial live streams available HERE but we cannot guarantee a good quality HD.
For live scores and commentaries of the Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers basketball match, you can head over to ESPN here to read how the game unfolds in real time.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE GAME
Watch Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers live stream through various sports channels, both local and national as well as online live streaming websites such as SOPCast, uStream and JustinTV. More details below.
After both teams got a week off to rest and recalibrate, the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to reach their third straight NBA finals when they take on the Phoenix Suns, starting in Game 2 on Monday night.
“It’s all part of the game, every part of it,” Bryant said. “I love a long layoff. Everybody on our team is pretty much banged up, so it’s good to get rest and get ready for what’s in front of you.”
Those who would like to watch Suns vs Lakers live stream can check out the national broadcast at TNT. There are unofficial live streams available HERE but we cannot guarantee a good quality HD.
For live scores and commentaries of the Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers basketball match, you can head over to ESPN here to read how the game unfolds in real time.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE GAME
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