Dear Microsoft, we're through.

This has been a long time coming, so don't act too surprised. If you remember, and I know your memory is selective, we've been through this before.

First there was the disaster that was Windows '98, then the spiteful Millennium Edition and then the, what six? different versions of XP? I won't even bother talking about Vista, except to say that if anyone ever treats my parents like that again I'm gonna personally put some hurt on them; and yeah, I am talking to you.

That crap about not being compatible with Linksys router is bull; whoever heard of such a thing? An operating system that's incompatible with a router. That's totally weak. And you have the nerve to charge $125 for the 'upgrade' after the mess you created? Gimme' a break.

I sat through your tutorials, and while I could watch Latika for hours, and even though she says all the right things, it's a little bit late. I mean, respecting your customer base, creating products that are intuitive and easy of use and providing value are worthy goals of any company. But you make it sound like these are radical new ideas; maybe to you and General Motors, but not to the rest of us.

So now comes Windows 7, and we are just supposed to forget all that. "Trust me," you say. But if I understand correctly, what you're telling me is that none of my big dollar software, not Office, not Dreamweaver, is going to work? How about McAfee? iTunes? Goodsync? How about my deluxe Roxio suite? No? Maybe? And which version of Windows 7 do I need to run the virtual machine to preserve my investment? Let me guess, it's a surprise.

So what you're telling me is that I have to start all over, right? Well, OK, but not with you.

Give me back my key. I put your stuff in that box. Get out.

Options at the Crossroads

Options at the Crossroads Note: This feature length story by Chris McMahon originally appeared in the February 2010 issue of SFO Magazine. Link to original @ SFO Magazine As U.S. regulators come to grips with the public perception that they have been asleep at the wheel while financial markets careened into chaos and lawlessness, there is legitimate concern that regulated markets, which have performed remarkably well, could be become victim to oversteering. Public outrage is growing about seemingly rampant insider trading rings, enormous compensation packages for firms that have received bailouts and a string of hedge fund frauds and Ponzi schemes. Those issues, in conjunction with a new presidential administration and recently appointed heads at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have prompted a thorough reconsideration of what kind of markets Americans want and the consumer protections and regulation they need.

The Year of the Ox: Is It a Bull for China?

Note: This feature length cover story by Chris McMahon originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of SFO Magazine. Link to original @ SFO Magazine “At this critical juncture of countering the financial crisis, I called for perseverance, as perseverance will lead us to final victory. The dark cloud of the financial crisis will disperse. Let us work together for a more splendid future.” The Year of the Ox: Is It a Bull for China? ~ Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao In Chinese astrology, 2009 is the year of the ox, a symbol of wealth created by strength, hard work and perseverance. Those born under the sign of the ox are thought to be quiet, patient and determined. That’s an auspicious sign for China’s stimulus plan and newly resurgent economy. But those born under the sign are also thought to be stubborn, eccentric and quick to anger. As the global economic slowdown approaches the end of its second year, China’s economy appears to have pulled out of the downturn and to have don

Building Bridges

By Chris McMahon As a result of the proposed mandate to centrally clear standardized over-the-counter contracts, market participants are seeking new technology that makes matching and clearing trades faster and easier. Proposed regulatory changes in the over-the counter (OTC) derivatives markets may create new challenges for large financial institutions. Many OTC market participants have front- and middle-office systems that are built for the bi-lateral trading in the cash markets. Many of these systems cannot centrally clear OTC positions where the counterparty is always the exchange. Where a centrally cleared position is marked to market daily - and in most cases the profit and loss of a position is booked daily - an OTC position's profit and loss is typically only booked at expiration. << Read the story at CMEGroup.com >>

Chris McMahon, MSJ

Search This Blog