The VAR Guy

Stocks are tanking. Banks are closing. The polar ice cap is melting. The world is ending. In this time of crisis, Apple finally has a message for corporate CIOs: Buy some Macs. In fact, Apple is hosting online seminars to promote the Mac as the most secure desktop for today’s enterprises.

The VAR Guy is an Apple fanboy. But that doesn’t mean he owns AAPL stock. Consider this: Apple stock has fallen from $179.32 on Aug. 14 to $128.24 today. Hmmm. That’s nearly a 30% drop in a scant six weeks. Financial analysts say there’s nothing wrong with Apple — other than major doubts that the company can maintain its torrid growth rate.

Millions of iPhone users download applications from Apple’s App Store. Now, Cisco Systems is considering a similar online App Store approach in the corporate market. Eventually, the networking giant may launch an online service or central repository to help you find Unified Communications applications and Widgets, The VAR Guy has learned. Here’s the scoop.

Jimmy likes Elaine Benes, but The VAR Guy no longer loves Seinfeld. The reason: Apparently, Jerry has signed on to pitch Microsoft’s Windows Vista, reports The Wall Street Journal. Wasn’t that a Macintosh sitting on the Seinfeld apartment set for a decade? Seinfeld should keep buying relatives Wizards and stay clear of PCs.

How’s this for ironic: Microsoft is actually spending some sponsorship dollars here at OSCON (Open Source Conference) 2008, but Apple is stealing the show — without spending a dime. Here’s how.

The VAR Guy smiled a bit when he read Matt Asay’s blog entry about media folks who pretend they’re unbiased. Asay says he prefers media and blogs that disclose their biases about tech products, companies, investments, etc. The VAR Guy certainly agrees. So here are some of his biases.

The VAR Guy spotted this rather interesting blog entry from the Microsoft Exchange Server team. The blog shows what the iPhone looks like from an Exchange administrator’s perspective. Take a look.

One innovation is easy. But sustainable innovation — building lots of worthwhile new things again and again, even as you maintain your old products — is challenging. The VAR Guy wonders: Is open source the key to sustainable tech innovation? Is open source the best way to keep a maturing company feeling vibrant and young? Before you answer, consider some of these scenarios.

Forget rising gas prices. The VAR Guy’s biggest expense continues to be his excessive spending on all things related to Steve Jobs. And this weekend, he’ll likely spend another $100 on something that Steve Jobs helped to create. (Hint: It isn’t from Apple.)

Matt Asay, author of The Open  Road blog, is telling the world how Macs are replacing PCs at corporate meetings. But that’s not all, Asay notes. Check out this photo from the Missouri School of Journalism. Look at all those Macs. The Kids Are All Right! So, what does all this mean for Microsoft?