This is a very funny article about Google and the bandwidth auctions
"Google Master: Tell me, apprentice. What is an auction and a reserve price?Google Apprentice: Humans hold auctions to receive the highest price for their goods. A reserve price is the lowest price the human would be willing to accept. GM: I see. And how does a Google Master turn the reserve price into his winning price in, say, a federal auction of radio frequency spectrum? GA: I don't know, Master. GM: By committing in advance to pay the reserve price as long as the seller agrees to conditions that would discourage other bidders! GA: Master, that is ingenious. But we would be taking the government to the cleaners! Why should Congressmen and pundits applaud so? GM: Their minds have been tampered with. Bloggers sing our praises. GA: (thoughtfully): Many bloggers are dingbats. GM: (thoughtfully): It is so........" (http://proquest.umi.com.sdplproxy.sandiego.gov/pqdweb?index=1&did=1309632311&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1185476412&clientId=9477 ) -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
