IBM linux ads

[R Scott Belford]

I don't know how many of you are interested in the football games today, 
so you may not be seeing a few new commercials running today.  CBS has 
the first game until 11:oo, and FOX will have the second game at 11:30.  
Turn it on just for the commercials because they really are clever.  IBM 
is using a basketball sports metaphor.  The company is the "team 
ownership".  The players are the business components with names like 
linux, mainframe, middleware, firewall, and wireless.  Their opponents 
are IT problems like downtime, hackors, and viruses.  The ads show game 
"highlights" like firewall setting a pick on hackors, or linux jamming 
the ball on downtime.  While "dummed" down for the football audience, it 
is still a very effective campaign that is bringing great awareness to 
the masses.

Todays new add:  Ownership is talking about how well practice is going.  
One fellow comments that he hears that this new player, linux, is really 
doing well.  The other owner makes some positive comments about the 
contribution linux is making to the "team."  Owner one asks what he 
cost.  Owner 2 says they got him for peanuts.  Owner 1 asks why someone 
so great is available for so little.  Owner 2 says "Loves the game."  It 
is carried out so much better on the TV.  Don't have time to look for 
any online streams, but they will come/are there.

Thought some of you may be interested in knowing that they are on/will 
be on today if you can stand the distraction the game creates between 
commercials.

scott

for those of you wishing to turn your skills in to dot.com money one 
day, you can watch a disturbing Frontline documentary called Dot Con 
from 2 to 3 today on your PBS affiliate.  Good look at how the sleazy 
VC's and Investment Bankers make life worse for all of us.