YOUR MONEY OR YOUR SOURCE

“One of the unfortunate things about open source is that it overshadowed the Free Software Foundation’s efforts.”

Bruce Perens, explaining how a deep, abiding horror at the thought of anyone making money from programming led to his resignation from the board of the Open Source Initiative, News.com, 19 February 1999

TAKES A LICKING AND KEEPS ON CLICKING

“We named them after fruit because when you see them in person you really want to lick ’em.”

Apple iCEO Steve Jobs, salivating over his company’s multicolored iMacs at Macworld Tokyo, MacWeek.com, 17 February 1999

VEST DIFFERENT

“We’re not aware of any fight. We are aware of a difference in shareholder rights.”

Tom Guilefoile, a Lycos finance executive, pretending not to comment on a shareholder dispute brewing in its recent Wired Digital acquisition, Salon Magazine, 16 February 1999

YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE

“It is a lot deeper than just my refund. The issue is as important as the peace issues of the Vietnam era. The difference is that people aren’t dying.”

Marilyn Davis, head of eVote, on the deep political meaning of her participation in a protest over Microsoft’s Windows refund policy, San Jose Mercury News, 16 February 1999

NEXT ON THE HOME SHOPPING NETWORK: VAPORWARE STOCKS

“[Lycos CEO Bob Davis] is a smart guy who recognized his stock was sitting on vapor and he couldn’t sustain that multiple — and that he needed a real business.”

Seagram CEO Edgar Bronfman, who’s set to be a major shareholder in Lycos if the company ever figures how it will merge with USA Networks, doing his best to suppot Lycos’s share price, News.com, 12 February 1999