network engineer

From The Wall Street Journal

Compared to windows? Why yes it is. Compared to Linux? Why yes it is.

Most of us use Facebook I'm sure. I was recently on consumerist.com and had the option of logging in with my Facebook account. After logging in I was able to make posts with my Facebook avatar posted and then a pop up window gave me the option of duplicating the post along with a link to the article on my Facebook account. Here is my Facebook account.

I am very impressed with this car. It looks great inside and out. As for the Big ass, I think that was done to nod to the interceptor and to give it potentially class leading trunk space. As Americans move toward cars, they will want more cargo space. I think depending on the pricing and options this will be a real toss up for me between this and the new Lacrosse.

With a realistic interior this car could sell hugely to the rich and famous. How cool would it be to be seen driving this car and saving the environment at the same time? I know it's way out of my price range, but I have to say I love this car!

Autoblog was saying $26k to $33k for the base prices of the two different models. (3.0L and 3.6L)

From Autoblog Hey look, is that an XM antenna that's color coded? I have to say, that I really like that interior. Note the HUD and that the gauges appear to be digital.

I agree wholeheartedly. I also agree with FOG. We don't need less models, but rather, need brands to have their own vehicles. Platform sharing really just means you sell the same car with a different wrapper. It clearly hasn't worked well for the last 30 years. If GM wants to keep Pontiac, then it needs the Pontiac cars to be truly unique. If it wants to keep Buick, then Buick should be unique, not just a gussied up Chevy. Do you have to engineer a brand new platform for different brands? No not really. You can take the same architecture and tailor it for a specific brand. For Buick you stretch it and soften the suspension. Work hard to isolate any vibrations. Make sure it really does drive and handle differently than the chevy. The cars can be cousins, but never brothers.

Chrysler has launched a marketing campaign that has put thousands of adds in newspapers across the country and a new website that thanks America for helping them through this tough time. America has responded to Chryslers adds. The site is here. The majority of the 70+ comments deride Chrysler and their management. The accuse the company of stealing from the American public. That was the very first post. Nice. There were a few positive posts, but they didn't exactly applaud Chrysler or say they were happy with the bailout. I think the bigger concern is with the backlash this bailout is having. I have heard many people echo the sentiments in these blog comments. Such that they will never buy a car from Chrysler or GM again. I know that I am seriously considering a Ford for my next car, because of the bailout. Thoughts?

Cool. I know everyone's busy and I'd be happy to donate my time daily to updated the front page.

I thought it might be nice to bring people back to the front page. You could see all the news in one place. No need to go through all the forums. Of course the forums would always be there.

I really think we need to have a more active front page. it's already set up in a blog style. Why can't we simply get the Auto stories from the major news sources posted in the forums and then linked to from the front page. Or have articles in the forums linked to the front page with a headline, post snippet and small photo? I would love to do this. I emailed FLY about it, but I think he may not be checking his mail. I am currently not working and have plenty of time on my hands. This would be something I would love to do, which would really help C&G stay competitive with other auto news and discussions sites. What do you guys think?

Yes. I am assuming that the government will be concerned about public reaction. Most of the people I've talked to think that the $14B is it, and we won't need more money. They're surprised to find out that the companies will blow though this money by March and then need billions more. I think that much of the public will be enraged if we have to continue pumping money into this company. Especially after the government has proved they don't know what they're doing in the financial industry.

You're assuming that GM will meet the terms the government has set. We shall see. After watching GM for the last 8 years, I don't believe they're going to do it. The UAW is going to stick to their guns, now more than ever. The government has no authority to rewrite the contract for them. And I simply don't see people with INSURED debt on GM swapping out their insured money for equity that could become worth less than their debt or potentially nothing.

Because they've mismanaged the brand so badly that it's an embarrassment to be seen in many of it's badge job cars. Though that's easy to fix, with cars like the G8(Of course it doesn't sell well, because it's not advertised on TV and most people assume it's just another FWD Grand Prix. Anyway, with what money is GM supposed to fix it? They've squandered $78 Billion in the last four years. They have no choice but to drop the weakest brands so the strongest brands can survive. It's like the slowest member of the pack getting picked off by the predators. GM doesn't want to do this to any of their brands. On the other hand GM doesn't want ALL of their brands to go out of business either.

Because they've mismanaged the brand so badly that it's an embarrassment to be seen in many of it's badge job cars. Though that's easy to fix, with cars like the G8(Of course it doesn't sell well, because it's not advertised on TV and most people assume it's just another FWD Grand Prix. Anyway, with what money is GM supposed to fix it? They've squandered $78 Billion in the last four years. They have no choice but to drop the weakest brands so the strongest brands can survive. It's like the slowest member of the pack getting picked off by the predators. GM doesn't want to do this to any of their brands. On the other hand GM doesn't want ALL of their brands to go out of business either.

The federal government would be very likely to step in with the DIP financing. This was even one of the options the President was considering. The next 3 months will give the automakers adequate time to organize their affairs. They can either turn themselves around or be prepared for a pre packaged ch 11. Why wouldn't we provide the DIP financing?

I do and I understand what you're saying. The bailout proposal is essentially a government funded bankruptcy. It's not going to work though. GM will not get the concessions it needs and they will need to file ch 11 in order to get their contracts rewritten. I believe this will happen to GM in March. I believe that Chrysler will file chapter 7 at that point. I also believe the administration is aware of this and planned this regardless of what they've said. Actions speak louder than words.

I am confident this plan will work as designed. I believe it's designed for them to fail. What they must achieve in 3 months is very difficult, especially for a slow moving company like GM. The UAW has promised to fight any wage concessions. The debtors will not want to swap for equity in a company that might not be here in 6 months. And GM hasn't been profitable for 4 years and have been increasing their loses every year. Now they're going to magically produce a plan in 3 months that will get them back to profitability? I'm pretty sure this plan is designed for them to fail and be forced into an organized bankruptcy. Mark my words, GM will file bankruptcy before the summer and end up better for it.

I keep hearing about the millions of jobs this will save, but if I'm not mistaken, the industry is expected to continue downward in sales. If that happens more and more autoworkers are going to get let go. So this is more like putting a tourniquet on. You're going to lose the limb but keep the victim alive right? GM will shed thousands of jobs but hopefully come out smaller and profitable.

You're right. I think the total cost could be closer to $100 Billion. They'll just take the money out of our hands of course. The plan has some nice stips though. They must: Demonstrate financial viability by March 31st or pay the loans back (If they can't it's CH11 then) Open their books to the manufacturers and allow the government to block transactions over $100 Million Limit executive pay and eliminate bonuses. No dividends on stock until the government has been paid back. Pay the unions retirement funds with 50% equity(stock) Eliminate paying union workers when they're not working. So if GM idles a plant for 30 days because of excess capacity, no one gets paid. And no jobs bank. And have union costs and rules competitive with foreign automakers by Dec 31, 2009. (the sticking point for the Senate) Oh and the government says they will examine the financials of the companies. Which must mean they haven't already?! So we're pitching nearly $20 Billion into GM and don't know how deep the hole their in is?! What?!

They could certainly do that by only offering the G8 for Pontiac and the.... well I can't think of anything for Buick to keep, but then they could just drop the badge jobs and build the Invicta. That way they get to cut the wasted development money creating competitors for their own cars but leave the divisions alive. You want to bring out a Velite later? No problem Buick is still there. How about a new RWD G6? Ok, it fits with Pontiac's image and it's still around. In the meantime they drop the badge jobs like the G6, G5, G3, Torrent, Vibe, Enclave, Lacrosse and Lucerne. And Saturn can just hit the bricks. If they want to sell opens here then just launch Open in the US and be done with it. Leave em right hand drive and everything for the really niche feel. And Rick should be replaced with this guy GlenGaryGlenRoss. He'd definitely take no crap, and be fun to watch.

You know, I was all about science and engineering in high school. I took physics and computer programming and got all As in both. Of course in 99 when I started college the tech bubble was bursting and record numbers of engineers jobs were being sent to India and China where they work for much less. That really made me stop and look at whether I should go into those fields. I didn't. I would go back tomorrow to become an engineer, but I fear the government will continue to award foreign companies and fail to create an environment that encourages companies to hire domestically. Sigh.

from Reuters So who's got it right? Will the administration force a bankruptcy or will they just give them enough cash to become Obama's problem?

From SmartMoney It looks like there may be some serious conditions attached to any TARP money that could be forthcoming. After reviewing the books over the weekend, this was leaked to the media. I personally believe that this may be the only way for GM to get itself back on track. While they may lose major market share, they can become profitable. GM could see their market share at 10% after a restructuring, but it's better to be smaller and profitable than to have 20% share right before you go out of business forever. I'd rather have a smaller, focused, profitable GM than no GM at all..