Month: May 1999

“We don’t expect huge revenue growth from tools. The strategic value is more important than the revenue itself.”

Microsoft developer tools exec Tod Nielsen, explaining why the his company’s recent reorganization into nominally self-sufficient, customer-centric product groups doesn’t really require him to show a profit — not when they’ve got an operating system monopoly to defend, that is, News.com, 24 May 1999

“We’re simply arguing there seems to be some sort of light touch.”

America Online chairman Steve Case, arguing for regulation of the cable-modem Internet access business to guarantee a slice of the broadband pie for his company, Wired News, 19 May 1999

“In this marketplace, the more money you lose, the more valuable you are.”

Entrepreneur James Borkowski, explaining the one important new rule of the new economy, The Wall Street Journal, 19 May 1999 (paid subscription required)

“There’s more software to write than ever before — that’s the good news for us.”

Microsoft vice president John Ludwig, describing how the trend away from desktop-based computing will help keep his engineers employed, The New York Times, 19 May 1999

“When we look at pricing, we’re not thinking about the competition.”

Amazon.com bookstore manager Carl Gish, explaining that the online retailer’s newly launched price war is really about the love, you see, Wired News, 17 May 1999