The acquisition will likely accelerate such deployments and makes good business sense for Microsoft, while at the same time increasing their credibility in the domain of security and secure systems.

[Some observers wondered about the logic of the changes.] The overall plan makes sense, as does [Ray] Ozzie's role. [But] I am still digesting why MSN would be part of the Platform group and not the Entertainment division. I can think of some good reasons for it but can also come up with strong counterarguments, ... I also hope that these new delineations will not impede the developer group from working closely with the MBS [Microsoft Business Solutions] and Office teams. Any dilution there would be most unfortunate, especially with Oracle [Corp.] becoming such a formidable CRM [customer relationship management] and ERP [enterprise resource planning] player.

The overall plan makes sense, as does [Ray] Ozzie's role. [But] I am still digesting why MSN would be part of the Platform group and not the Entertainment division. I can think of some good reasons for it but can also come up with strong counterarguments. I also hope that these new delineations will not impede the developer group from working closely with the MBS [Microsoft Business Solutions] and Office teams. Any dilution there would be most unfortunate, especially with Oracle [Corp.] becoming such a formidable CRM [customer relationship management] and ERP [enterprise resource planning] player.

Every once in while, a person will do something obvious and direct that is no more than it appears to be. I think they do it to throw you off.

All of that will be accomplished this weekend after the close of business on Friday, weather permitting -- and it doesn't appear that weather is going to be a problem.

It will continue the cycle; I think it has to. It's positive to have serious corporations that have the business background to do that kind of work necessary to run teams today.