^^^ What he said.

Mini-Microsoft is a good source for "from the trenches" info as he is from the rank-and-file employees. He never had any access to strategic info from Microsoft.

Will there be some people let go? Probably, on a very selective and spotted basis.

10,000? No way. And certainly the way you'll learn it will not be through a blog.

The economy isn't only having an effect on Sony then.

I'll believe it when I see it...M$ hasn't missed any numbers, or seen any downturn in revenue estimates, but it's on out of the realm of possibility for them to launch a pre-emptive cut...my question would be where. From the last report, there were no reported lagging divisions to justify a 10,000 person cut, for a company with 91,00 employees...slicing over 10% of your workforce, when you've not missed any quarterly profit targets, and you're in a battle to retain good people against google would be huge. The morale hit alone would be titanic, but stranger things have happened.

MS won't cut 10,000 people.  I think they will cut the fat, but MS would do that anyway because they know how to run a sound business.

A few thousand at most will be cut... and nothing more.  MS has way too much money in cash reserves to be worried.  They'll just play the smart role and get rid of the excess that's not needed (which I believe they would have done anyway).

This. The most interesting thing is - MS has misses, but not many. Yeah, they've had their turds too, but for the most part, MS has dominance and made money off the dominance. MS has been profitable for a few quarters now. With the RROD paid off almost a year and a half ago - maybe longer - they are focusing on raising those profit margins.

Sony has been bleeding since a few quarters after the PS3 came out. The PS3 was selling so well they waited nearly 2 years to make a price cut. Even with RROD, Sony has been beating the 360 since it came out. Now, Sony is looking to dethrone the Wii. Sony has the Wii right where they want 'em. - STOP. Let a PS3 fanbot tell it - MS has earn one thing this gen - cred. They can roll out the 720 with proven IPs - and further bolster LIVE and streaming movie services.

They are rarely off in their numbers - and we'd be hearing more than rumblings from the MSM.

Its starts with rumours, doesn't anyone follow the stock market.

The rumour is simply to calm nerves, make it seem less shocking, but happening just before Christmas, well that is a real harshly timed announcement.

Sure, possible, but it's also possible it just another absurd rumor as well...

You know, like the one that said that the Wii would be Nintendo's demise, or that UFOs are being held at area 51.

The world is full of rumors, day is and day out.  You might find it hard to believe, but some people actually start rumors because they don't like a company and they want people to perceive that company like it's weak...

Say like, investors (so they can buy that stock cheaper) or competitors (to cause a tremor in sales).

Rumors happen everyday of every week or every year.  9 times out of 10 they are bogus.

But even if it's true, it has nothing to do with a weak MS.  It has everything to do with strategic positioning for a potential problem down the road.  If MS cuts any employees at all, it's only due to foresight for what may come later down the road.  It proactive planning versus reactive scrambling.

Rumours in the business world are worth SHIT LOADS of money though.

MS stock went up i bet bcoz of this rumour

Speaking of which, I gotta buy some Apple stock...

GUYS STEVE JOBS HAS DIED! MY COUSIN WORKS AT THE HOSPITAL AND TOLD ME!

Did you even read the post I was replying to?

No one switched sides unless you're reading things wrong. I didn't say Microsoft would post a loss. I said they'd be negatively affected which is very different.