Words escape...

IBM has submitted for the second time (and, evidently, withdrawn a second time) a patent on an app that "that calculates how to offshore jobs while maximizing government tax breaks."

This one went somewhat viral (my office mate sent me the link), and in their admirably predictable way, IBM darts back from the glare of negative publicity into the shady recesses of "global strategizing".

Love ya, guys. Every day is FAC in Bangalore.

We made so much money last year, we can't afford you

Yes, four strong quarters in a row, and Big Blue celebrates by putting more of its US workforce out on the street. Only its US workforce. And finding new ways to do it, without paying severence or unemployment.

Palmisano made $21 million last year. Wonder if he's worried about finding health insurance, tanking his mortgage or extending his retirement date.

Welcome to Indian Business Machines.

*edit: This Reuters piece has a little more info.

Massive Big Blue layoffs?

There is a buzz on the net that IBM plans to lay off 16,000 employees this coming Friday. Apparently it originated at the AllianceIBM website. I had my yearly review with my boss on Wednesday 1/14, she gave me a high rating and didn't say anything - but she wouldn't have been allowed to anyway.

Nervous - again. At this point, I've been worried about getting the axe for so long, I'm not sure actually getting it would feel like such a shock.

Either way, if it comes to pass, I hope they get mountains of toxic press over it.

More on this from The Register.