The cult sci-fi drama series LOST completed 100 episodes on Wednesday 29th April 2009, coincidentally the same day that Barrack Obama’s administration completed its 100 days in office. What began with a plane crash on 22nd September 2004 has now become one of the most watched series in television history.
LOST is the story of the survivors of Oceanic 815 airliner that crashes on a mysterious island somewhere in the South Pacific. However this is no modern day Gilligan’s Island as the island and its inhabitants, both new and old have many interesting secrets. The show combines a milieu of elements which include Egyptian mythology, biblical allusions and even time travel.
The show has spawned a thriving international fan community. These Lostaways or Losties are also active participants and developer of various fansites and other media including the LOST WIKI- Lostpedia.
The show has also garnered critical acclaim and won many prime time awards including the Emmy and Golden Globe awards for outstanding drama series and also several cast performances.
Reflecting its devoted fan base, the series has become a part of American popular culture with references to the story and its elements appearing in other television series commercials, comic books, webcomics, humor magazines, video game and song lyrics.
Over the last four years, ominous mythology, startling discoveries, shocking cliffhangers, buried secrets, and stunning character development have been the significant highlights of the series.
With only 20 more episodes to go for the last episode of the final season, the interest in the series has peaked to dizzying levels and the show promises to deliver even more thrills!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Oracle Buys Sun - Another one bites the dust!
Database giant Oracle announced Monday that it will buy Sun Microsystems for $9.50 per share—roughly $7.4 billion. The two companies reached an agreement after an unsuccessful bid by IBM fell short at $9.40 per share.Oracle will use a combination of cash and borrowed money to pay for the purchase, which will cost Oracle $5.6 billion after taking into account Sun's debt and cash holdings.
Oracle predicted the merger will increase its annual operating income by $1.5 billion and add at least 15 cents per share to net income in its first year.
Oracle is a software and services company, best known for advanced database management software used by many of the world's largest enterprises. Sun produces both hardware and software. It produces Solaris, a popular version of the Unix operating system. Sun is also the creator of Java, a software language and development system that runs on hundreds of millions of devices, ranging from mainframe computers to cellphones. Sun makes server computers that use its own Sparc processor chips, but also makes machines that run processors from Intel Corp. In addition, Sun makes data storage gear, competing against HP and EMC Corp. of Hopkinton.Purchasing Sun confirms this shift by enlarging Oracle’s middleware business. More importantly, the deal means Oracle now goes up against IBM and HP in selling servers.
The Sun Solaris operating system is the leading platform for the Oracle database. With the acquisition of Sun, Oracle can optimize the Oracle database for some of the unique, high-end features of Solaris. With it's latest conquest, Oracle plans to offer a broad range of products, including servers and storage, with all the integrated pieces: hardware operating system, database, middleware and applications.
As became apparent with the acquisition of PeopleSoft in January 2005, Oracle has made acquisitions an important component of its growth strategy.Apart from the high-profile acquisitions which include BEA Systems, PeopleSoft, Hyperion and iflex, the behemoth has also swallowed whole numeorus other IT enterprises and has been expanding it's tentacles across the IT spectrum.
Oracle last major purchase was BEA Systems, which strengthened the former's foothold in middleware technologies. The BEA purchase meant Oracle was now selling middleware, or software that acts as a bridge between different applications. This put the company in competition against other middleware companies such as IBM.
The deal also has a significant financial implications. Already shares of Oracle stock closed down 24 cents at $18.82 after the news, while Sun Microsystems stock rose $2.46 to $9.15, both on the Nasdaq stock exchange. However the biggest and most obvious question is the extent of "Rightsizing". Industry analysts estimate that Oracle’s cost savings from Sun operations suggest job cuts of up to 10,000 workers from Sun’s payroll of more than 30,000.
Oracle's appetite for acquisitions may seem insatiable, but one has to marvel at the sheer size of this IT stalwart. What began as a databse company, today stands tall as a paragon of end to end solutions provider. As a matter of fact, that is the ultimate goal of this gargantuan beast, to provide an highly integrated and equally secure solution to all its customers.
Oracle predicted the merger will increase its annual operating income by $1.5 billion and add at least 15 cents per share to net income in its first year.
Oracle is a software and services company, best known for advanced database management software used by many of the world's largest enterprises. Sun produces both hardware and software. It produces Solaris, a popular version of the Unix operating system. Sun is also the creator of Java, a software language and development system that runs on hundreds of millions of devices, ranging from mainframe computers to cellphones. Sun makes server computers that use its own Sparc processor chips, but also makes machines that run processors from Intel Corp. In addition, Sun makes data storage gear, competing against HP and EMC Corp. of Hopkinton.Purchasing Sun confirms this shift by enlarging Oracle’s middleware business. More importantly, the deal means Oracle now goes up against IBM and HP in selling servers.
The Sun Solaris operating system is the leading platform for the Oracle database. With the acquisition of Sun, Oracle can optimize the Oracle database for some of the unique, high-end features of Solaris. With it's latest conquest, Oracle plans to offer a broad range of products, including servers and storage, with all the integrated pieces: hardware operating system, database, middleware and applications.
As became apparent with the acquisition of PeopleSoft in January 2005, Oracle has made acquisitions an important component of its growth strategy.Apart from the high-profile acquisitions which include BEA Systems, PeopleSoft, Hyperion and iflex, the behemoth has also swallowed whole numeorus other IT enterprises and has been expanding it's tentacles across the IT spectrum.
Oracle last major purchase was BEA Systems, which strengthened the former's foothold in middleware technologies. The BEA purchase meant Oracle was now selling middleware, or software that acts as a bridge between different applications. This put the company in competition against other middleware companies such as IBM.
The deal also has a significant financial implications. Already shares of Oracle stock closed down 24 cents at $18.82 after the news, while Sun Microsystems stock rose $2.46 to $9.15, both on the Nasdaq stock exchange. However the biggest and most obvious question is the extent of "Rightsizing". Industry analysts estimate that Oracle’s cost savings from Sun operations suggest job cuts of up to 10,000 workers from Sun’s payroll of more than 30,000.
Oracle's appetite for acquisitions may seem insatiable, but one has to marvel at the sheer size of this IT stalwart. What began as a databse company, today stands tall as a paragon of end to end solutions provider. As a matter of fact, that is the ultimate goal of this gargantuan beast, to provide an highly integrated and equally secure solution to all its customers.
But with this latest buy, has Oracle bitten off more than it can chew?
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Satyam has a new Daddy!
After months of speculation and debate, the Mahindra & Mahindra Infotech arm, Tech Mahindra has won the bid for the scandal hit Satyam with its valuation of Rs. 58 per share. Tech Mahindra's offer beat industry favorite L&T's Rs. 49 per share and Wilbur Ross's Rs. 20.
The current price of the shares (at the time of this blog post) wastrading at Rs. 48.85.
L&T, which was the front-runner for the Satyam acquisition said that their maximum bid for the tainted software giant would have been Rs. 55 in any event. One of the factors for the price cap was the fact that L&T had purchased additional stake at a higher price.
For the 47000 odd staffers at Satyam, not all is hunky-dory as Tech Mahindra has been subtly mentioning the 'F' word. Pink slips could be a possibility considering the investment made by the latter for the acquisition and no opposition is expected from the Government on this front.
Although Tech M has won the bid, they are well aware that the real battle has just begun. Right from synergising the business practices to settling the pedning lawsuits, Tech M has a long and arduous journey ahead.
Will the most talked about acquisition of the year be also the most successful one? Time will tell!
The current price of the shares (at the time of this blog post) wastrading at Rs. 48.85.
L&T, which was the front-runner for the Satyam acquisition said that their maximum bid for the tainted software giant would have been Rs. 55 in any event. One of the factors for the price cap was the fact that L&T had purchased additional stake at a higher price.
For the 47000 odd staffers at Satyam, not all is hunky-dory as Tech Mahindra has been subtly mentioning the 'F' word. Pink slips could be a possibility considering the investment made by the latter for the acquisition and no opposition is expected from the Government on this front.
Although Tech M has won the bid, they are well aware that the real battle has just begun. Right from synergising the business practices to settling the pedning lawsuits, Tech M has a long and arduous journey ahead.
Will the most talked about acquisition of the year be also the most successful one? Time will tell!
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