Note to my CADets: check out the Wired News | IBM Bets Chips on Open Source article:

"Big Blue now wants companies and developers to actively participate in the design of IBM's Power microchips, and is encouraging researchers, chip fabricators and electrical engineers to customize Power chips for use in specialized systems or devices."...

Reuters.com | Bill Gates: Hardware to Be Nearly Free in 10 Years

"Hardware costs will fall sharply within a decade to the point where widespread computing with speech and handwriting won't be limited by expensive technology, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said on Monday.

"Ten years out, in terms of actual hardware costs you can almost think of hardware as being free -- I'm not saying it will be absolutely free -- but in terms of the power of the servers, the power of the network will not be a limiting factor," Gates said, referring to networked computers and advances in the speed of the Internet.'

Perhaps Microsoft doesn't see the writing on the wall. (Almost) free hardware will drive the demand for (almostst) free OS and applications. But I guess Microsoft's $6.8 R&D annual budget needs to be borne in mind when dissing thier ability to buy^h^h^invent new marketshare.