However, there's such a thing as a "reverse split", where multiple shares are combined into 1. This happens for instance when the value of the share drops below 1 US$. If that happens, you cannot have a listing on NASDAQ anymore, so then they combine e.g. 10 shares into one to raise the price from .5 dollar to 5 dollar. Of course, a reverse split indicates severe problems for the company. So this rarely only happens once, usually it happens one or more times after that, before the company either folds or is taken over by another company.

So a more accurate description (wishful thinking) would be:

foreach $crash (@windows){
  reverse split /stock/, $microsoft;
}
exit $microsoft;
[download]

Liz

If so, I must say it's one of the best complot theories I ever heard.

Think about it, you create a problem and then sell the solution. Make a crappy OS and then keep selling support, upgrades, and new versions of it. If they made one good version, they wouldn't be able to sell a new version in two years for $300. Yeah, I know, it's just a thought...or is it?

sub generate_income{
    my $v = new MicrosoftVirus;
    $v->propagate;
    $v->sell_anti-v_software;
    $v->sell_upgrades;
    $v->count_money;
}

sub keep_suckers_dependent{
   my $plan = new MSpropaganda;
   $plan->give_away_to_schools;
   $plan->dorky_tv_commercials;
   $plan->count_money;
}
[download]