Posted 11/15/2008 at 02:08:21am

Wow Carbon. You're considering not renewing your subscription because there is a pic of a mac in an article talking about decreased LCD costs? I'm hoping you're 16, otherwise there isn't an excuse for being such a big baby.

Posted 10/31/2008 at 05:02:17am

Fair enough. I see what you're saying now. I didn't understand the point you were trying to make from your little blurb above but your detailed response makes a lot more sense. And I agree that it's most likely poor decision making from the top level that caused it in the first place. When the economy is good, it seems that many companies (EA in this case) don't bother thinking about tougher times ahead and then have to pull the rug out from under the feet of the employee when those rough times come.

If anything, this is a good case of showing why reckless expansion is not a good idea. However, I can't help but wonder what specific jobs these employees had. I wonder how many were making a cut above minimum wage and can just move to another job that doesn't pay much less. The overall number doesn't tell that story.

Posted 10/31/2008 at 01:43:10am

What's with some of the knee jerk responses like from Keith?

1) EA isn't basing the release of part of the workforce over the success of a game like Spore. They are looking ahead at the coming recession (assuming Q4 shows negative growth) and probably realizing that buying games is a luxury that less people will partake in.

2) You would sue? For being released from a job? Wow, maybe a more socialist country would be to your liking. The job of any company is to keep a profit margin. If that can be increased than workers will be laid off/hired as needed. This is part of free market economics.

3) This isn't about "gratitude" for making a successful game either. It's probably a screw up on their part to have so many workers in the first place so now they are downsizing in order to weather the coming storm.

Please think a little more next time rather than seeing "EA" and then automatically thinking "I HATE THEM" or whatever goes through your head. 

Posted 10/14/2008 at 08:24:06am

No offense there dstevens but you shouldn't make false sweeping generalizations on economics. 1) Just because something has a "cheaper" method or way of being produced doesn't mean it's going to be cheaper out of the gate. New technology isn't super expensive to gouge customers, it's expensive because manufacturing methods, distribution, research and development and and a million other factors. If it was automatically cheaper, companies would bring it out at lower prices to gain market dominance. 2) Your oil market remark is so far off that I honestly shouldn't bother trying to explain it to you. Granted, I'm no economist but let's look at some simple ideas here. When a recession hits, people will use less. Oil is one of the commodities that people use less. When demand for oil goes down, the prices also go down. When demand for oil goes back up (summer time, winter time, YES, oil is a seasonal commodity) the prices go up. However, even seasonal increases probably won't happen as much this year as the recession is affecting everyones pocket book, which means they are driving less. This is common sense. Price gouging is a real problem in the world, but it's not the reason for every high cost that has even come about, whether it be with technology or oil. The media's sensationalist tactics have apparently paid off for you. I suggest doing reading on the subject instead of watching CNN, FOX, etc.

Posted 08/14/2008 at 12:37:17am

Do you guys seriously believe this playboy bunny would put out? Chances are she'll talk about the Georgia/Russia conflict and wonder why Russia invaded the US. At least you can get enjoyment out of tech prize and you won't have to listen to it talk.

Posted 08/06/2008 at 04:21:47pm

I've been flying a lot over the last few years and I've never seen any power outlets on flights unless you have the domestic UPGRADE seats. I flew Delta last November and there were no power outlets in domestic. Business class, first class and the upgraded domestic had them, as well as extra leg room, etc but the tickets were about 100 dollars more expensive than general domestic seating AKA coach. It's like this on many airlines now. Maybe in the last 6 months they've upgraded though. I'm flying Northwest in a few weeks but I doubt they'll have them.

Posted 04/05/2008 at 12:40:09am

I couldn't agree more. What's the point of having roommates.com if you can't know the sexual orientation of the person you might be roomed with? Political correctness FORCED upon private companies by the government. Is anyone surprised?