From my understanding of 10-Q reports. They tend to cover the bases on pretty much everything that "might" influence earnings. Corporations generally take this tactic to avoid the potential of share holders torts (lawsuits) in the event that something isn't mentioned that has a negative effect on the any earnings or stock prices. So, they use a shotgun method so no one can say that they withheld information and then claim it was do to some sort of incompetence or conspiracy.
Now, the fact the Linux is threatening M$ is like saying the sun is hot. If M$ wasn't threatened by Linux then way all the bad mouthing about it? I see this statement as coming because two reasons. One, the SEC is, finally, making corporations report in a more forthright and meaningful way. So, if M$ wants to keep out of their radar they will play ball - they don't need any more scrutiny or bad press about the hint of more shinanagens. Two, by having to comply with the first reason, M$ hasn't really got a choice but to come clean, and also should M$ lose anymore market share to Linux no one can say they weren't for warned. Frankly, I think M$ hates having to come the the realization that it's not that Linux isn't going away, but that Linux is beating them where it counts - Quality in product and "true" innovations for industry. Cheers, Curtis. On Thursday 06 February 2003 9:19 am, Fred A. Miller wrote:
"In a quarterly report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Microsoft has confirmed it sees the open-source software movement as a threat to its commercial business model."
http://www.linuxworld.com/go.cgi?id=741832
-- Fred A. Miller Systems Administrator Cornell Univ. Press Services fm@cupserv.org, www.cupserv.org