[jaskerr]

Never thought I'd be able to say this, but Broadcom has out-CA'd Computer Associates.

For those not familiar with CA, their model was to buy up failed enterprise software companies and milk the s@*t out of the licensing and support contracts, while spending next-to-nothing on development. Broadcom follows much the same model with steroids and protein powder.

CA failed, only after years of profitable rent-seeking. The same may happen to Broadcom, but it will take years. In the meantime the companies who depend on the software they control will pay a heavy price.

[erikerikson]

CA was horrible. I worked there but your claims are a little too strong. They bought up and coming products within rising sectors, "over paying" knowing they could cash in. They then introduced those products into their large portfolio of large enterprise clients (who trusted them deeply) giving the purchased products increased market share and real associated profits. They were the trusted technical friend for non technical companies. They did after initial investment then largely and entirely killing innovation on and investment in the products. It was the place that products went to die.

[edit: perhaps it got darker and more cynical after I left. I wouldn't be terribly surprised. I left in 2013, post Enron style accounting fraud, pre sale to Broadcom]

[jaskerr]

Point taken. It's not what I remember of CA in the 90's, when I was an analyst at a consulting firm. They may have changed strategy in the later aughts. Or, I could be completely wrong.

As you say, it was the place where products went to die.

[insaneirish]

Feel like it's burying the lede a bit to not mention that Broadcom acquired Computer Associates and said "hold my beer".

[gsky]

Facebook and good should be at the top of that list for selling scams to users