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Churak, nap time is over, and she's given us the theme of the day -- "Scared Straight". I have to look up some old material from the 'presentation' made to me, so I'll be back in in minute. Perhaps you would entertain Sarals; I know it won't be easy -- as a programmer she is a linear thinker.
AK
Sara, "pardon" the afterthought, but aren't you supposed to be coding or somethin'?
AK
Names, Sara, names -- clarity is important here -- Churak is so easily confused.
AK
You looking for some pro bono work?
AK
AMAT (just to balance the news articles): Applied Materials Expected to Lay Off Staff
Friday October 18, 6:13 pm ET
By Daniel Sorid
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applied Materials Inc., the world's largest maker of semiconductor equipment, has been cutting jobs and is gearing up for a larger round of layoffs to combat a relentless industry slump, analysts said on Friday.
"I can tell you they've been laying people off with two months (notice)," said Banc of America Securities chip equipment analyst Mark FitzGerald, citing company sources. "We're hearing that they're putting together a list of employees at this point for a sort of full-blown layoff."
Another analyst who follows the sector said sources at Applied Materials (NasdaqNM:AMAT - News) told him the company was gearing up to lay off between 1,500 and 3,000 people, or as much as around 20 percent of its staff. During its last conference call with analysts in August, the company said it had about 16,000 employees.
Since September last year, Applied Materials has announced 3,700 job cuts, but more are expected.
"They trimmed the fat last year, if you will," the analyst, who requested anonymity, said. "They picked the low hanging fruit. Now we're hearing it's moving up the ranks a bit."
Applied Materials, which declined to comment, is the dominant player in the $28 billion semiconductor equipment industry. Chip equipment makers provides the tools that produce, test and package microchips.
The industry has faced a brutal slump, as chip makers shutter factories and pare back plans for upgrades or expansion.
Top chip maker Intel Corp. (NasdaqNM:INTC - News) is cutting as much as $500 million from its annual capital spending plans for this year, and its rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE:AMD - News) is cutting its capital spending forecast by $100 million.
Applied Materials sales are expected to drop to around $5.1 billion in the fiscal year ending this month, according to Multex, from around $9.5 billion reported two years ago.
A jump in industry orders, especially for next-generation technology, in the first half of this year raised hopes for a recovery in the industry, but the rise was only temporary.
Many chip equipment companies had pegged their hopes on a recovery in the second half of the year, but those predictions were off. Industry watchers expect orders to drop between 15 percent and 20 percent in the fourth quarter.
Brett Hodess, Merrill Lynch's chip equipment analyst, said Applied Materials has been making selective layoffs to combat the tough market.
"We've heard from a number of sources that they're contemplating a large cost reduction, including a large layoff, but we have not been able to confirm that with management," Hodess said.
Earlier this week, Teradyne Inc. (NYSE:TER - News), which makes chip testing equipment, disclosed it had cut 500 jobs and would make more cuts if market conditions deteriorate.
Applied Materials has been no exception to the trend of cutting costs. The company has sought to save money by revamping its manufacturing process and trying to get better prices from its suppliers, said Lehman Bros. chip equipment analyst Ed White.
The company is set to report earnings for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year on Nov. 13.
"I wouldn't be surprised for Applied Materials, when they report in three weeks, to announce a fairly dramatic headcount reduction," said Tim Summers, semiconductor equipment analyst at investment bank Investec.
Hi Sara, that's what you get for living up North; no problems South of you....but, see #msg-547047
AK
Matt is always there ? [noooooooooooooooooo, can't be this]
Matt is there in spirit. Although he seldom shows up, he is fondly remembered for leaving the gates open so that former inmate Churak can make his adjustment to the outside world. iHub does not offer a Halfway House, and Churak finds comfort in the place he called home for so long. I personally am tired of acting as a social worker in his reformation, but at least ex-Warden Fred comes by to check on him.
gotmilk, it would be nice if you would go over to the Jailhouse and assist in helping Churak make his adjustment. I did notice he tried to pick up the bartender at the Corner Bar, but that doesn't seem to be working out so well -- at least he is trying to get out more.
AK
p.s. I'm sure Matt would appreciate you posting Jailhouse comments over there too, so as not to clutter the Q&A Board; Churak can give you background on that no-no.
...you plagiarized this person who previously posted under your logon...
True enough; I'll handle the matter by PM.
AK
(PRIVATE MESSAGE: Fred -- Would you please quit using my log-on?)
Prove it, or get a lawyer. See #msg-546975.
No problemo for me this evening.
AK
(Say Matt, when you gonna come play with Churak in the Jailhouse? He sorely misses you. Talks about you in his posts all the time, then drags me into it too.)
(Do a Full-Text search for Matt)
Hasher5, of course I would be delighted to finish your story for you, however you did not tell me what type of dog you had, nor if it truly is a Seeing Eye Dog, but I don't want to get into another tiff about definitions. Given that, here is your bed-time story:
There were two buddies, one with a Doberman Pinscher and the other with a Chihuahua. The guy with the Doberman Pinscher says to his friend, "Let's go over to that restaurant and get something to eat." The guy with the Chihuahua says, "We can't go in there. We've got our dogs with us." The buddy with the Doberman Pinscher says, "Just follow my lead."
They walk over to the restaurant. The guy with the Doberman Pinscher puts on a pair of dark glasses and starts to walk in. The bouncer at the door says, "Sorry, Mac. No pets allowed." The man with the Doberman Pinscher replies, "You don't understand. This is my seeing-eye dog." The bouncer asks, "A Doberman Pinscher?" He says, "Yes, they're using them now. They're very good and protect us from robbers, too." The bouncer says, "Well, then, come on in."
The buddy with the Chihuahua figures, 'What the heck,' so he puts on a pair of dark glasses and starts to walk in. Once again the bouncer says, "Sorry, pal. No pets allowed." The guy with the Chihuahua says, "You don't understand. This is my seeing-eye dog." The bouncer asks, "A Chihuahua?" The man says,
"A Chihuahua??? Those bastards gave me a Chihuahua?!"
Only the feds get to pay witnesses...
Your Honor, objection! Counsel is obfuscating! He is implying that his Expert Witness is not being paid!
Counselor Troy?
AK
(Troy, you familiar with the M.A.I. designation for appraisers?)(see below only if you know)
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Made As Instructed
You could make her read 300 posts on the Jailhouse thread, as Fred did today; she'll never look over your shoulder again.
AK
Lawyur-man, of course they teach law in accounting school; how else could Arthur Andersen have survived so long?
AK
PRIVATE MESSAGE (Churak, don't look!)
Mr. Lawyur-man, glad we see things the sayme way. I'll send off my "Tips-for-Tabs" after you get Churak engaged, and we make sure the check is good.
AK
p.s. Don't let him cheat you now. He's probably gonna wanna pay in Canadian $$. (Hint: that's how I can pay him in the "settlement", so you and I can split the dif' on the conversion...hmmm, glad you mentioned it.)
You trying to kill two jailbirds with one stone?
I'm not trying to kill anybody. And just what do you know about Churak? Fred, Churak was convicted of giving drugged food to seagulls. He left no tern unstoned.
AK
I'M NOT THE ONE WHO SAYS "HASHER" ISN'T A WORD!!!!!
Wowee! No need to shout! Look Mr. Waiter, or Waitress as the case may (to paraphrase my mentor, Mr. Fred Koikaze), I don't think there has been much of an argument as whether "hasher" is a word or not. I merely told you that I couldn't find it in an on-line dictionary, then you made your mealy-mouthed comment "GET A BETTER DICTIONARY" (my, you DO shout a lot, don't you?).
Rather than being gracious and referring me to a dictionary, you make me run around like a hare trying to find a dictionary that has "hasher" in it. After consulting with a researcher (that cost me 3 beers, thank you very much), I was given some professional search sites and went through 737 more on-line dictionaries, all to no avail. (But all that running around like a scared rabbit did prompt me to reach out for another glass of suds.)
As if a Greyhound was chasing me, I was becoming desperate for a definitive answer, which I was told would be the Oxford English Dictionary (subsequently referred to as OED), and as I've mentioned to you previously, access to said OED is only by paid subscription. So I go on-line again with a British librarian, and have to shmooze her with how good Guiness is (ugh! vile stuff, and it has to be served at room temperature too -- try drinking that stuff after one of your hashes -- just like Churak's jokes, it's enough to make you barf). Well, at least I didn't have to pay for the Guiness, and she did give me the definitive definition as to "hasher". I have posted this to you before, see #msg-546471, so your comment "I'M NOT THE ONE WHO SAYS "HASHER" ISN'T A WORD!!!!!" only indicates that you have an inability to process that which you have already read.
I don't want to go over old ground, but I recollect that you have posted 'made-up' definitions of "hasher" to keep me flying around like some British jet plane (a Harrier?). Until you can prove otherwise, by citing a legitimate dictionary, rather than something put out by one running club or another, you will just be a waiter to me.
"Garcon, I know you are harried, but run for another Labatt Blue, por favor!"
AK
Well give a gander here, hasher goosing Fred in a most fowl manner.
(Hasher, you still trying to find a dictionary? <g>)
Fred, please recommend Troy Houston to Churak; I understand this legal gimmick real well. I ain't afraid of no Texas lawyur. Come on Churak -- ya'll hire that Troy guy. C'mon! Dare ya! Double dare ya!!
AK
(Troy, think that'll do it? I'll PM you where to send the check for my percentage of the 'pre-pay', and I've got some great ideas on how to run up Churak's tab before he caves in and settles.)
Hey, Churak! Should I tell him that's a repeat?
Just a suggestion Fred, DON'T; if you do, I'll ask you to post a link, and unless Uncle Bob's search engine is broken, it's not a repeat for iHub.
AK
p.s. Of course, having to read 300 Jailhouse posts in one sitting could addle anyone, so I'll forgive you...
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this time. <g>
p.p.s. This is not to say that CHURAK did not post a different version of the story. If he did, give him credit for my post, despite the fact I DID do a search.
Please define "skip".
Perhaps this will help:
A blonde is terribly overweight, so her doctor puts her on a diet. "I want you to eat regularly for two days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for two weeks. The next time I see you, you'll have lost at least five pounds." When the blonde returns, she's lost nearly 20 pounds. "Why, that's amazing!" the doctor says. "Did you follow my instructions?" The blonde nods. "I'll tell you, though; I thought I was going to drop dead that third day." "From hunger, you mean?" asked the doctor. "No, from skipping."
Uh, Fred, does this mean you've read all 300 posts? Didn't skip any?
AK
We both seem to do that...lol
Carolyn, you didn't visit the Jail this morning. Churak was looking for you too, poor fella. Did you get your shopping done? You know what they say, "Once you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall."
Stop by tongiht, when the chain gang gets back.
AK
Fred's latest answering machine message:
Thank you for calling, no doubt,
As you can guess, we're out.
When we get home,
We'll call on the phone.
Until then, just hang about.
My time is billed at $125 per hour. Please begin your message with your MasterCard or Visa number, card type, and date of expiration. I'll get back to you pending credit approval.
Funny you should mention that. I called WTMHouston and got a similar message, but he bills at $400 per hour; guess Mr. Houston values his time more than Matt does.
AK
p.s. And to think Bob is only giving us 10 cents a post.
But Churak doesn't care. His thing is if he posted it on iHub first, it's HIS. Sometimes it doesn't pay to argue your case, but merely to settle it for nuisance value. Know what I mean?
AK
I thought that's how you make your money. Write a one-liner, then charge the clients for a week's worth of "research". I think I've got you pegged Troy, so be careful when you visit the Jailhouse. You're probably safe there for a few more days, but this is to put you on notice that I'm doing my own "research", just for you, and Matt ain't payin' me neither.
AK
<vbg, of course>
Be careful what you ask for....some should be embraced and enjoyed, not ever treated.
Indeed, but if treatment is required, please give Churak his due for this post: #msg-544967
AK
Subtlety ain't your strong suit, eh?
Took you eight days to come up with THAT? Matt should put you in the JAIL.
AK
Churak, today's message is just for you. The word of the day is "plagiarism".
AK
(p.s. You did well with that one...LOL, and then some.)
Hasher, that's pretty close to what I said this (Sunday)morning. I got an automated call at 8:00 a.m., and when it got to the part, "For more information, please leave your name and number...", that was too good to pass up.
AK
p.s. And for you East coasters, WTH do you think I'm doing up so early posting these dumb answering machine messages.
Churak still can't figure out what Matt says to him. Are you still Mat's mentor?
It could appear so...
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to the untrained eye.
You a politician?
Not MY kid...but perhaps that would explain the Sheriff not being around the Jail?
Churak, found WMTHouston's answering machine message:
Please hang up now if you would want to speak to Troy. Otherwise, please stay on the line to leave him a message.
What with the "that's deep" part?
Found the one Fred used on Friday:
These words are lovely dark and deep
But I've got promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep
So leave a message at the beep.