After hours showing complete retracement, FWIW.

Whatever, man. Again, was just asking - alot of people talk about things - I'd imagine on your own board if somebody came on there for the first time trumpeting about news, you'd wonder about it.

Not saying you don't know, it's just a normal thing to ask. Not sure why you'd be so touchy about it - makes it seem all the more suspect. No reason you can't be halfway friendly and not so confrontive, is there?

Never said you were lying...sheesh. Just asking for something other than a hinted rumor, that's all. Three people show up for the first time in one day, verifying the other, etc.

I hope you are right, man. Just have seen this kind of thing many times.

Golden, care to share what you know about the "news" tomorrow? Interesting to see you jumping on this, cashing out, and being "in the know" about news. Not saying you don't, but you know how this works...any verification or anything solid?

Officially bought in today - we'll see if the traditional rise back up occurs here, and where things go for the company in the near term.

Wonder what the heck is going on. A lot of action and hints today - more than just one guy who stands to gain from it, I would think. Don't know - and sure don't know what the hinting is about - could certainly be a pump.

I understand, Don...however, I have been a shareholder for a few years now, and I HAVE lost plenty on this one since I bought in. I remain a holder, and positive about where this is headed. Believe me, I have shown plenty of patience here.

Probably best if we don't talk about things when the SP is down 10% today...getting tired again, of waiting for something to pop. But will remain patient.

Ballard and Heliocentris Sign Supply Agreement for Mark1020 ACS(TM) Fuel Cell Products
April 18, 2008 - 3:05 AM EDT

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD)(NASDAQ: BLDP) today announced it has signed a supply agreement with German systems integrator Heliocentris Fuel Cells AG, under which Ballard will supply Mark1020 ACS(TM) air-cooled fuel cell products for integration by Heliocentris into demonstration and teaching systems for sale to educational institutions as well as for specialized commercial and industrial use.
William Foulds, Ballard's Vice President of Sales, stated, "Heliocentris' capability and experience in systems integration combined with their significant exposure to the post-secondary education market will help ensure a high-profile and successful presence for Ballard among the next generation of highly capable scientists and engineers."

Heliocentris will display its first prototype system incorporating the Mark1020 ACS(TM) fuel cell product at the 2008 Hannover Messe event. Fuel cell systems will be available from Heliocentris for purchase beginning fourth quarter of 2008. Heliocentris foresees the system being applicable for educational institutions as well as industrial niche applications. The three-year supply agreement is expected to generate a minimum of 350 Mark1020 ACS(TM) fuel cell units shipped to Heliocentris over the term of the agreement.

"Ballard's technology has proven itself in terms of performance, reliability and ease of integration," said Dr. Henrik Colell, Chief Executive Officer of Heliocentris. "The Mark1020 ACS(TM) is the best choice for our next generation system platforms that will feature flexible integration into various applications and a wide operating temperature range."

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX: BLD)(NASDAQ: BLDP) is recognized as a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of hydrogen fuel cells. Ballard's mission is to accelerate fuel cell market adoption. To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World®, visit www.ballard.com.

I'm glad you are comfortable talking to Z. More power to you, and hopefully he gives you the info that works for you. I have my own experiences with him, both here and on other boards, and can draw my own conclusions from his commentary. No big deal, I know what I think, from my own experience, and from looking at things from the perspective I posted previously - doesn't matter to others, and not important. I think a few here realize how far off his information and predictions were in the early stages, and that was before he was given shares to promote the company. Those are facts, and I can draw from that. Your discussions with him work for you, and that's great. There have been a few stubborn supporters of both him and the company, some have not been heard from for a while now.

I look forward to the more investor friendly PRs to come. I wonder what they could be about, since we now have the timeline in place and the company has narrowed the focus to this project. Guessing the next PRs will widen the focus or something.

Well, we know that they are paying (or have paid) the vaunted IR folks that we are repeatedly told by a few here that we should contact for the real story about what is going on with the company. The only way they will realize any real payment for their "services" is if the share price goes up.

How could anyone expect to get an accurate portrayal of anything remotely bad from sources like those? Does anyone in their right mind think that these people would relate anything other than positivity - whether real or manufactured - to anyone who would ask anything?

I personally don't know what to make of this last timetable PR specifically. I don't call it positive or negative at face value, except to say that putting out the timeline does nothing more than buy them several months to continue putting out information and attempt to sell more shares. If they don't get permits or produce gold, none of it matters. If they do these things, then they will, and that's great. If they don't meet the timeline scenario, it won't matter, because they won't produce anything for various possible reasons, and people will realize this was a farce from day one.

We still don't know any more than we did, and assessing the value of these two PRs is purely conjecture - and will be taken positively or negatively by the people who already look at things one way or the other. Seems like the only change is a few people a little more negative, again.

I don't know who here fits the bill of being a village person, other than possibly one loud(typing)mouth who fits the village idiot role pretty well. I don't see many people doing much promoting of anything here - I think everyone who is posting pretty much knows the score, which is bad.

From our fearless leader...responses to my questions:

[Hi, Mike. I was wondering if you could give me a simple explanation of why it makes any sense to have some kind of $50 online qualifying tournament scenario to set up future candidates for the 2nd season of the show? Why does it follow that an online game player would be a good candidate to actually play in a competitive real golf contest - when in fact - it probably at base look follows that they wouldn't be qualified due to playing a lot of video games and not be out playing golf.

I understand trying to make money off the online gig - how much does the company make off of each entry, by the way? - but this just doesn't make sense to me. Wouldn't you be better off auditioning people that viewers might want to watch and identify with on a reality series? Like good looking women, or volatile male personalities, or both, etc?

Finally, is the show planned to air in the Twin Cities television market on CBS? When will CBS be announcing the contract?]

From Mike: We will receive $20 per registration. We expect 100,000 players and from that we reserve the right to select the candidates from those who qualify.

It will ait on you local CBS affiliate. It will be on the CBS schedule by Mid May.

I then asked:
[Thanks a lot for the info - would make some sense, but how can you expect 100,000 players to spend $50 each to play in an online golf tourney, assuming most have never played online golf before. How are you going to attract 100,000 people to that site and expect them to spend that much to try it?]

His response:
They will be driven there during the airing of MDSO at the end of each show.

Just posting this, as most have been wondering some of these things. I do not advocate any of it making sense or being accurate, just passing it along. I think it's very unrealistic to think that many people will spend that much online to take a shot at being on the show - the only reason I would remotely consider it is that I'm a shareholder and would be curious. I don't think I'm $50 worth of curious, tho...

Cheers, all.

Interesting you posted Sarissa, MC. I saw that highlighted on another short term board as an immediate play the other day. I have nothing for you, but I think the board folks that played it for the quick hit had a good day - THAT day.

I don't really have any experience with any penny/sub penny Jrs, myself, but I did play a few accepted mining companies about 3-4 years ago, and did quite well, gold was running at that time, and my targets were unleveraged companies that could immediately profit from a gold rise. Have not had any (other than this thing, whatever it is...ha) plays in the sector since I sold all and took profits at that time. I've looked in on some of my old sector plays while gold has been running, but the companies don't seem to be any higher than they were back then. Companies must have leveraged and signed some extended contracts when prices were higher back then, is all I can figure.

Nice little pop today (at the risk of being labeled a newly created pumper name...lol.). I sent an e-mail to Mike asking him a few questions - mainly, why the online scenario for getting season 2 real life contestants. Will post info I get back.

I have no freaking clue what that attack was about, but I do know what that kind of crap usually tells about a person. Incredible to me that someone posts something like that and expects anyone to give him one piece of credibility. I think the last time you blasted me with one of your asinine posts, I pointed out that I have been as openly negative about this stock here as anyone - others backed that up.

I only will leave up that last post, so people can see what they are dealing with when reading your garbage.

For the record, I agree with most of your assessments about the company and the person running it. Also, for the record, one more stupid BS post like that last one and you will be banned from the board. And that's giving you a lot more leeway than you deserve.

Fot the record, I do just fine financially, am long since out of high school and college, for that matter, and would welcome the opportunity to let you try to knock something out of me. But that's more than enough engaging in online fighting abilities...lol...maybe you could try to sell online fighting matches for $49.99 or something...unreal.

Like I said, I find the premise of the idea pretty flawed.

The logic in it - which I find more than a little flawed - is that they are partners with that site, and will share in any revenues (or get it all for their key tourneys, or whatever) from people who compete to get a spot on the real, live show for season 2. In some respects, it makes as much sense as other ways to select competitors - although I'd think hand picking good looking women and some volatile personalities would make for the best show and viewer appeal. It certainly has worked for The Big Break on The Golf Channel.

Maybe we're better off NOT seeing the annual report, lol. But it remains something to try to accomplish, I guess.

After all this time, I'm a little foggy on things. From what I was told, it was in the contract of all participants that they would only be paid if the product was shown on a national network - kind of a safety net to ensure they could make some money, payout included. I still don't understand though, if this airs on CBS as advertised, then why the winners would not be paid at that point. I have not heard any complaints from the participants, but there could have been. Pagnano seemed pretty matter of fact on the situation, and it made sense to me.

I think O'Hurley was paid, and he made some kind of non-problematic response to someone's attempted contact with him that was posted here, I think, a long time ago. But I'm not sure, I just remember it being a non-issue when we were asking about that.

Not sure if any of this helps, and I welcome any other thoughts/opinions from longs here.

Thanks a lot...I've had this on watch for quite awhile but have not pulled the trigger. Probably a good time at under $4, to get some shares. The chart shows a good stock to trade, if nothing else - at a slower pace - which I'm more comfortable with.

Thanks for your thoughts. Do you think this is as good an entry point as it appears to be to me? Why do you think the price has dropped so strongly the past few weeks? Expecting anything new on the horizon to jump start it? Traditionally, it bounces back strongly after drops - from the chart, anyway.

Admittedly, I have not yet researched enough as to cost/profit values for the Ballard Products. What kind of price tag do these Ballard transit systems carry? Are they high profit units?

Just seems like a great time for this company to make some inroads - and dependent on a new administration and "green" focus, maybe some government influence financially?

Just asking, sheesh. Sorry if wondering if there was anything specific was problematic, and humorous to you. I never thought you were anything but honest, and supportive of the company. Anything positive would be a welcome thing, no doubt.

No problem guys, all taken care of. I wish the company performance was as solid as the patience of the investors here. We have a good bunch of posters here, despite the problems that breed the kind of frustrations that boil over sometimes.

Carry on.

Something positive may be coming around the corner? Man, doesn't THAT sound exciting! I only wish we had heard THAT before with this stock...now I'm REALLY stoked about things!!!

Cutting, care to share what your innuendo is about, or are you just "in the know?"

Ballard and IdaTech Sign Supply Agreement for Fuel Cell Backup Power Market
March 27, 2008 - 10:00 AM EDT

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD)(NASDAQ: BLDP), an industry leader in fuel cell products and IdaTech plc, a global leader in fuel processors and fully integrated fuel cell system solutions, today announced they have signed a three-year supply agreement under which Ballard will provide its Mark1020 ACS(TM) fuel cell product for integration into IdaTech's next generation 250 watt iGen(TM) power supply.
"This agreement shows further progress in accelerating market adoption of Ballard's leading fuel cell products," said Noordin Nanji, Ballard's Chief Customer Officer. "This new strategic relationship with IdaTech broadens our market focus with an important new fuelling solution and deepens our market traction by establishing another important customer relationship in the fuel cell backup power market."

Auxiliary and backup power solutions based on fuel cell technology deliver a number of significant advantages over conventional batteries and diesel generators, including: higher reliability over a wide range of operating conditions; lower maintenance costs; longer operating life; reduced size, weight, installation footprint and environmental impact. In addition, the use of an alternative fuelling solution based on methanol will favourably position fuel cells for applications where a liquid fuel is more desirable.

The next generation IdaTech 250 watt iGen(TM) fuel cell power supply is designed as an auxiliary power unit for a number of applications, potentially including recreational vehicles and telecommunications backup power. IdaTech has extensive capability and experience in reforming fuel, such as methanol, and in systems integration. The three-year supply agreement will generate approximately 100 fuel cell product unit shipments from Ballard to IdaTech in the first year, with the potential for more than 1,000 units over the full term of the agreement.

"This agreement marks the initiation of a strategic partnership with Ballard, the leading provider of fuel cells in commercial markets like auxiliary and backup power," said Hal Koyama, IdaTech's Chief Executive Officer. "We selected Ballard's Mark1020 ACS(TM) for our product because it is the best choice for our iGen(TM) product line in terms of overall performance, reliability and price."

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD)(NASDAQ: BLDP) is recognized as a world leader in the design, development, manufacture and sale of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Ballard's mission is to accelerate fuel cell market adoption. To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World®, visit www.ballard.com.

kmx, or anyone, do you think now is a good time to buy some shares - definitely prodding lows, and the stock has always seemed to run after such performance. Since we're looking at possibly going below $4 again, on Monday, I think I might take a shot. Any chart experts have any thoughts? The timing seems very good considering oil worries, environment, political climate, and of course, the low price.

Anyone out there?

Do you really think that if those numbers were good (as we are asked to believe by some here), they would be held back? There's been ample time for people to load up before releasing any powerful news - and the steady march downward in share price CERTAINLY would have been a good reason to release strong news.

I don't think there's much mystery involved in this part of the "business," personally.

NavyPilot - I have no knowledge of an R/S, just making a sad joke - which might come true, who knows? There is no reason for me to sell this stock at this point, the last R/S and drop took care of that need. The only reason I moderate this board is to keep it alive, as I know many like to vent from time to time.

As for Mike, he has always returned my e-mails, and for the last year or so, the things that he has told me have come pretty true, for the most part. The one thing that didn't, which was very important, was that he was going to use revenues from England and Asia cable deals to buy back shares to increase value - of course the revenue didn't allow for that, so he said.

I am at least interested to see the show air on CBS (if it does), and that will in some way vindicate my hopes of this being real - if the performance and share price don't.

Nobody that I know of, except maybe one person, has any real faith of positivity. This remains a "lesson learned" scenario for most. I think if he continues to play share games that it might boil over for some, and he might find himself in trouble.

I don't know what in my post could have possibly signaled that I am a believer of everything (more appropriately, at this point, anything) Drake says. Let me be clear...I don't.

And, I also do not believe everything (or more appropriately at this point, anything) on their website, and I can assure you I will be buying no more Drake stock - or any stock Clayton is a part of now or in the future - until they actually make something non-transparent happen.

Clear enough? I hate it when my posts are so unclear that they cause distress and confusion...lol.

Maybe so...however I'd consider a resignation from the business, and the following statement to lead one to believe he will not be a major contributor, nor anything approaching a day to day contributor.

"Though he is stepping down from his official role with Drake, he will remain available to the board if needed for his expertise on an advisory basis, regardless of any future endeavor. "

Does this mean that he is going to work full time for the Southern Mining Company? lol...

I would agree that an R/S for most companies predicates suicide, and if someone has shares purchased on the open market and stands to lose a lot of shares in the process, with nothing real coming after, then that would be personal suicide.

So, I guess it all depends on how much faith you have in the person who has (or had) a ton of shares, and where his mind is. I find it a little worrisome that he is no longer in a position of measurable authority when it comes to Drake Gold, and/or Novak Capital, which is where he entered the Drake picture from. And he supposedly had plenty of personal interest in other companies and financed those, too. Some reportedly did well, some I know did not. Some here have said they profited from dealings with his other companies - I don't doubt that. I would assume that they would have - that's why they are here.

I don't blame anyone for having faith in the situation based on their own personal evaluations and experience. Faith and hope is about all anyone has when playing with penny stocks.

The ultimate new problem, in my mind, is that the share price has dropped so far that the holders have to be considering a R/S to recreate presumed shareholder value. There is no reason to think that the company is very close to permits, nor the delivery of machinery - but the first thing is the more important of the two.

I certainly know that the person who has left the building and yet supposedly continues to advise management knows how to complete an R/S, and knows how to sell it as being in the best interests of shareholders.

Agree, but I don't think they'll junk it. It's a much easier, less worrisome way that they can try to pacify shareholders. They can get the direct pipeline of complaints and question from this board and other boards, and neatly craft blog entries to make it seem that they are doing something in areas of concern. Same thing for PR's, but they are more reserved, and less pinpointed to shareholder concerns. Have to be careful what gets released on a national basis.

Yeah, but I was kidding - sort of. I don't anticipate one of those in the near future - he has faced us many times in the past, but that would probably motivate some to attempt to take action against him.

I got an e-mail promoting WGL #2 today, to try to qualify on the online thing - which remains bizarre to me. It's almost tempting to try it, despite the high cost and not knowing how to play the game online.

The problem with that is that I would be putting more money in his pocket, which I think I've done enough of already.

Meaning, Clayton no longer has anything to do with Noval Capital, or says he never did? Interesting. I did not know that he had left that organization - which he was such a huge player in not so long ago - according to everything I saw and was told to look at as an area of strength for the companies he dealt with.

Thanks for the info.

Cause he said so...lol. Seriously, after re-reading the post, it does sound pretty simplistic and self-serving, and like someone who was writing for effect.

Maybe he should be writing the PRs. On second thought, he probably is...

Forget I said anything. Guess I'm just desperate - still.

So, what do you think, another R/S coming up? lol, snif.

Hey, either the guy is right or he's wrong. I doubt seriously there will be anyone to convince to buy shares at this point based on any post, and can't figure out what anyone would have to gain by posting what he did. It's possible that a major shareholder might have more info to work with right now, and all of this still doesn't add up to me. I do still have some faith that something, somehow, some way, is in the works. I've already bet on it - I guess we'll see what happens. Certainly nothing to be positive about for quite a while.