I don't think that they assumed they were getting paid the full sale price for the energy they are putting back on the grid. Don't see where that was stated. I really don't think someone who spends thousands to setup a solar system at their house would be that naive.

In reality they are paying the solar user only 1/2 of what the sale price is for the solar energy being put back into the grid, I'd say they are getting the "transmission" cost back, since they could cost 25% of the sale of the additional energy that they in turn are selling to another customer and still making 25% margin. The only way they would loose is if someone didn't pay for the energy that was created and added to their system, which would be no different since I am sure they have to factor into their costs some people not paying their bills.

Not to mention that the new energy would be used much closer to the point it was generated, which would mean its transmission cost would be lower than that of the normally created electricity thus lowering its overhead cost of maint. This would work out well for areas further away from the original transmission as the amount of solar energy creators increases the lower the generation costs would be for the electric company.

I believe you would have to have some sort of compatibility layer to gain the traction you would need in businesses.

Lots of small companies that have lots of computers that dual as the email / application tool, so having something that can run quickbooks or myob or any other windows software as a client and or thin client would be a must. There are vast amounts of cad software, electrical diagram software, plc programming software that are windows only. Not only these type of applications, but how many countless apps are written with windows api's for the scientific community. Then you have all the thin client apps that business's have spent millions on, like PRM software and Inventory software for small businesses that don't have the traditional server or have a small windows server. In order to compete with windows, you have to do what windows can do. Many control panel shops, cnc shops, small retailers, the list goes on and on, use applications tied to the windows api, you can't rewrite everything, and most of these companies wouldn't want to spend money on a new pc that can't run the pre-existing software tools they need to use to do business. The people are already trained on that specific gui / platform. Just because you can create an equivalent web app for UPS doesn't mean that you can create a web app for everything.. Can you imagine trying to do a large PLC project on a web based tool, and then the internet goes out for what ever reason. You'd be dead in the water because you wouldn't be able to get at the file to upload it, and you wouldn't be able to run the program needed to upload it or make changes. They might have zero interest in enabling people to run windows applications, but purchasing isn't going to buy a computer with an OS that can't do the job its intended for. Pushing out little widget applications and helpfull informational tools is great for a web browser, but having an OS that can't run quickbooks, cad, outlook, and other windows programs isn't going to give it the mind share that gave windows the marketshare to begin with. Until the OS can flawlessly run windows based apps from the Hard Drive as well as from the web it won't gain the necessary business traction. Web based applications are great, but they only preform certain functions and can't be depended upon to be mission critical. I can't see a business trusting its accounting or R&D designs to a webapp. Now having an OS that could run a windows based application through a browser, in protected memory so it doesn't crash the OS, that might be something.

I GROK THIS

1. Raising the GDP from a dismal level to anything resembling stable is probably a large percent increase, there in a bs statistic. Not mentioning the money and effort the US and IMF put in helping create that stability. With the oil money they were collecting they were enabled to do alot of things. If you think that the raise was Putin's doing only, I think you are a fanboy.

2. Wining the war between Russian Mobsters and solidifying the corrupt power base doesn't mean that it is less corrupt, its just better organized, congrats "Godfather".

3. What benefit does Russia "asserting" itself really have. Between the direct threats to its neighbors like the Ukraine and holding Europe over a barrel with its control of natural resources, it just seems like another Dictator State to me. If anything it seems like a step backwards.

4. Putin is an ego maniac, I wouldn't call one of the largest computer companies in the world a screwdriver assembly company. If it wasn't for Dell there would be alot of companies that would have spent millions more than they had to for technology. Dell might not be the company it was, but for a time period they put the old pc manufacturers to shame and made a good benefit to consumers in terms of real competition. If there was such companies in Russia, then please explain why no one hears about them? Beside raw commodities, weapons, and some space technology what does Russia really offer?