Diebold stock dropping this morning

[gristy]

on the NYT article http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/24/technology/24VOTE.html

Down 0.92 (2%) so far. I think it's got a ways to go yet.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=DBD&d=c&t=5d&l=on&z=b&q=l

Wonder if Maryland can/will cancel its contract. Things are looking up!

[Eloriel]

1. about the MD contract

(I just have to post this again)

Last year (2002), GA bought 22,000 machines from Diebold for $54 million.

This year, MD contracted to buy 11,000 machines for $55 million.

Inflation, anyone?

Eloriel

[Philosophy]

2. $5000 per unit? What a rip off!

I've been researching this a little and I could probably slap one together with off the shelf parts for about $300. Maybe I should start my own company? Or would I not even have a chance to get any contracts because I don't "know" anyone?

[MUAD_DIB]

3. It costs big $$ to program

all of those machines with back doors and random protocols to make it look like the * win will be legitimate.

I wouldn't say that our votes won't coun't ...just enough to make a * win look plausible.

What do you think: 53 for * and 44 for Dem with a few bones thrown to the other parties to make it realistic?

Anecdote time.

I was an art director for an avertising design studio that had this software client that did what is known as Enterprise Application Management. In effect EAM for short deals with maintaining a firm, seamless code controll over all of its ATM and financial machines in operation...simultaneously. A programmer can update, at will, an across the board command to update these machines.

Since Diebold makes and services ATMs do you think that they might have an EAM solution for the next election?

To get back to your original thought. It makes sense, or strongly looks, that Diebold is getting paid in advance of handing off the election.

I bet that they're banking on it.

[BevHarris]

4. A kick for the shortsellers

who got the timing right on this.

[BevHarris]

5. And here's a little chart...

[gristy]

6. Bev, tell me how you posted the graph!

step, by step.

That's great!

on edit: and how did you add the bar and arrow and text?

[BevHarris]

7. STEP BY STEP from a not-so-hot computer person

went to the link posted above.
Right-clicked the graphic.
Went into "draw" (in the accessories with all Windows programs, the kindergarten level drawing program)
Chose "line" icon, "red", clicked a nice bold line and drew it.
Then made a skinnier line with two little lines at the end for arrow.
Then clicked the "T" for text and typed NYT STORY

Whew. I'm feeling very high tech now.

Did you hear that Dr. Doug Jones has formally asked the state of Iowa to DECERTIFY these machines?

Bev

[gristy]

8. still a question

I was able to create a graphic in paint (I couldn't seem to find draw). But then how do I get that graphic into the post?

Regarding "shorting", I had an interesting experience this morning:

Speaking to a broker, I asked for November $40 put contracts on Diebold. Got some contracts at $1.15 (ask had been $1.20).

I then got to talking with her about why I wanted to buy puts on Diebold, then asked her for some November $35 put contracts. My bid of $0.40 has not yet been accepted, and the asking price has increased to $0.55 (was $0.40 when I first made the call).

So the lesson here is, don't tell your broker about breaking news that is driving your trading. Seems obvious in hindsite. :eyes:

I am told there is very low volume on Diebold options. And as with all options trading, don't invest anything you aren't prepared to lose!

[BevHarris]

10. Oh, it is called paint, not draw

I upload it to my web server and then just post the URL address. Maybe there's a better way to get it into the post?

Bev

[gristy]

11. ah, so you have to have a web server

I was afraid of that

Slackmaster: I have no idea where Diebold will bottom out. They have a very BIG business in ATMs. I don't know what % of their business is voting machines - could be small. But maybe their stock had been bid up in the last 4 months in anticipation of lots of election machine business. Of course, we all hope (seems increasingly possible) that business will all evaporate.

[slackmaster]

9. Potential bottom-fishing opportunity here

Any bets on where it will bottom out?