Re:I think the Age of Options is over (Score 1)

Uh, here is at least one of the splits.

I do believe there was a second as well, but I am not going to do your homework for you. This was the first hit on Google: "red hat" stock split.

As for options, the whole point is that the option price is less than the stock price - or else it would be much of an incentive, now would it? He had the option to buy Red Hat shares at about a buck, which, as you so astutely point out, is below the lowest price that Red Hat has ever traded.

As for the amount of options, yes, if you get in on the ground floor, you can get "HALF A MILLION DOLLARS" in stock options. Of course, since the company will be about five people at that point and have zero revenue, they are not worth much, and in today's climate, they are not likely to be worth much - ever. But some people get lucky.

In the future, before you go shooting your mouth off anonymously in public forums, take a second to do the most basic research. I'll get you started. When companies want to go public, they have to file an ownership statement called an "S-1". These have to be public record, and that record is kept on the Edgar system of the SEC. Pick a few of your favorite companies and check it out. I make learning fun!