Stephen Downes

More analysis of the Blackboard IPO. What struck me was this remark: "Another great characteristic of the business is that there are significant costs to switching from one software package to another." OK, Earth to Fool: this is not an advantage. Oh, I know, investors leap at lock-in like slathering dogs for a hanging beeksteak, but to me when such a huge impediment as this is depicted as "great" it simply reminds me of the impoverished ethic of the business investor.