While the title of this posting may be tongue in cheek, you can't deny that
Juniper is on a huge roll as strong IP router sales produced better than
expected profits and revenue in the fourth-quarter. A few years ago, the
idea of Nortel acquiring Juniper would have been plausible. Instead, Nortel
squandered billions of dollars on a series of terrible deals (Anyone
remember Qtera, Clarity, Broadband Networks??). Not to suggest Juniper has
any interest in Nortel but Juniper's thriving while Nortel is struggling to
stay relevant. In a recent research report, CIBC World Markets analyst Steve
Kamman suggests Nortel may be interested expanding its IP router portfolio
by partnering or purchasing Redback Networks. Nortel could also acquire
current partner Avici Systems, which is struggling to revive itself with a
new CEO.

Do you think Yahoo CEO Terry Semel has a Cheshire Grin on his face these
days when it comes to Google. About half of Yahoo's fourth-quarter profit -
US$185-million - came from selling a million Google shares. Yahoo is still
sitting on four million shares, which are worth about US$800 million these
days - give or take a few million bucks. It's not a bad return for a US$10
million investment. While Google is likely less than thrilled about
financing its major rival, the reality is entrepreneurs often have to accept
money wherever they can get it. At the time, Sergey Brin and Larry Page were
probably overjoyed to get money from a blue-chip company such as Yahoo.
Without it, Google may never have become Google.

Yahoo's strong fourth-quarter results emphasize a theory I've been thinking about for awhile - the power of the default. By this I mean, the maturation/evolution of the Internet has created default products and services for the masses.
When you think of online auctions, it's eBay; when you think of buying a book or CD, it's Amazon.com; when you think of mobile e-mail, it's Research in Motion; when you think of online services, it's Yahoo; when you think of search, it's Google; and when you think of online advertising, it's Yahoo and Google.
Once a company achieves this status, they control the market. Look at eBay's recent move to hike its fees in a major way. One would think there would be howls of protest. Instead, everyone seems to have meekly accepted them.
Let's talk about growth. In February, Research in Motion heralded iits one-millionth subscriber. Last month, it busted through the two million barrier.
There's no set formula for getting to the "default" status. It takes superior strategy and/or luck and/or good timing and/or a superior product or service. Once you get there, however, it's time to start counting the cash.