Chip industry showing its age.
http://www.siliconstrategies.com/story/OEG20030627S0027

I guess I should use this time to comment on the state of the industry, the state of the economy, and just the overall future which is happening. And why it's happening, there's a convergence going on in my life. I might yet see my dreams of going to China.

Here's the official policy about semiconductor tarrifs in China (from the SIA website). And what
VAT Rebate Policy
China applies a nominal VAT of 17% on sales of imported and domestically-produced semiconductors. In June of 2000, in State Circular Number 18, China's State Council announced that all integrated circuits manufactured in China would receive a rebate of the VAT in excess of 6%. The policy was amended in September 2001, with an announcement that integrated circuits both designed and built in China would be eligible for rebate of the VAT in excess of 3%. GATT Article III on National Treatment prohibits a WTO member country from engaging in activity that treats domestic producers and products more favorably than imported products. China should reduce or eliminate the VAT on all semiconductors, regardless of origin. Reduction or elimination of the VAT would not only help U.S. chipmakers, it would further stimulate the development of China's high technology industries.

Anyhow two questions of the week for those people who read this.
#1. Should you be able to depreciate a computer over 3 years, as opposed to the standard accounting rules which says 5? Everyone knows that the useful life of a computer is only about three years.

#2 Synthetic materials - It's been shown that we can make synthetic sapphire. In fact you can grind optics, and manufacture semiconductors from it. I'm a big believer in synthetic gemstones. In fact natural rubies, sapphires, or emeralds, or any precious or as the quacks will say semi-precious stones should be inferior to synthetic ones.

Including the personal peeve of mine - diamonds. Besides diamonds are the spawn of evi, they're controlled by a multinational monopoly more paranoid than Microsoft, they prop up dictatorships in Africa, killing people, funding genocide, the explotation of children, and the perpetuating all sorts of injustice. Does anyone remember apartheid?

The only reason guys buy them is because some broad sang about them in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes jeez.... Idiots, I say we all are.