[Info-vax] OT - M$oft profit or loss?

[bradhamilton]

Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> bradhamilton wrote:
>> JF Mezei wrote:
>>> Microsoft profits fell by 31% in the last quarter.
>>
>> Who said, "There are lies, d***** lies, and statistics"?
>>
>> Unfortunately, this statistic does not tell us if M$oft suffered a 
>> profit or loss in the last quarter; they could still be profitable, 
>> but 31% less profitable.
>>
>> Most business-oriented articles discussing "profit" will make the 
>> distinction, telling you whether or not that M$soft "swung to a loss" 
>> in the quarter.
> 
> ????
> 
> For which positive numbers x will x*0.59 be negative?

Correct, of course - my bad.  I wish to temper the enthusiasm that 
some here have for M$oft's imminent demise, just because they are not 
as profitable as they were at this time last year.

M$oft is not about to fade away because of a less-profitable quarter. 
  If they were bleeding money like, say, WaMu, then *that* might be 
cause to celebrate.  Personally, I don't care, because I avoid using 
the product whenever an alternative is available.