[8995] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Life in the Fast Lane - What does 5 mil buy?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Joseph Stroup)
Tue Dec 14 16:28:07 1993
From: joseph@path.net (Joseph Stroup)
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1993 13:24:38 PST
To: com-priv@psi.com
Well I wonder what 5 million dollars buys these days , first off that seems
to be the going price of a seat on the board of ANS. Even if you take the
payment in installments. Also there has been alot of focus on that money
by Gordon and comments about the NT/ANS deal. Gordon, NT probably just
bought the seat on the board. In many cases this is common. That way they have
a say so as to how things run. Even one director can force drastic changes in
the way a company goes forward. I would suspect that the 5 mil is just for
the board seat and that NT will provide their ANN Arbor building for ANS as
a new home. Among other things you might expect to see would be transfer of
equipment, people and technology as well as cash. Having an NT person on
the board protects the interest of NT.
One thing that I would suggest Gordon Cook do - just because he has been on]
top of this network thing for years - is to form a Nader type of group to
act as an Internet Watchdog Service. The entire show that we see unfolding
here looks like the old days of the railroads. Lots and lots of deals. In
1993 things just cost more and happen faster. Also Gordon, I might suggest
that you watch the management style that ANS exhibits. Its that old Harvard
IBM stuff. The NT deal was a classic move. If ANS gets the new award we all
have a right to ask questions. I know that I intend to. Just by getting more
and more public. If it takes going to CNN and explaining things - then thats
what it takes. Whatever, this whole dirty business is going on as well all
type.... So why not ask questions. IBM stock last I looked was headed up in the
high 50's. I am sure that they want this situation to work given their interest
in networking/commercial applications.
When you are asking questions about ANS and those form 990's expand things
a little bit. Ask about the vouchers ? Why does travel cost so much? Why
are there no cost containment controls in place? And if you are going to cc:
a site then cc: this stuff to vicepresident@whitehouse.gov.
Does NT need ANS ? Whats really going on? Well one of the first steps in a
takeover is a seat on the board. NT already has that, the big question is
what next. I don't think they went to ANS for talent. IBM built the router
cards. So whats the real reason ? The one they talked about at the Sept 93
board meeting , where the NT guy was present.
In closing I would say that getting political is the best way to handle this
and see your dreams through. Its the only thing that the NSF will understand.
ANS would look so much better if they just were open with people and less
cocky in their manner.
