No Mr. Softie Any More

Nearly subsumed by the announcement that Microsoft will buy LinkedIn for $26.2 billion is the news that Microsoft will [bold added]

start offering software that tracks marijuana sales, breaking a corporate taboo on pot.

Perhaps you, dear reader, are puzzled by recent developments in Redmond. Here are the top four reasons Microsoft is getting deep into the weeds.

1) $26.2 billion? LinkedIn "connections." 'Nuff said.

2) Cements Microsoft's dominance in vaporware.

3) Out: blue screen of death. In: blue cloud of doob.

4) If you want more Clippy's, we're gonna need a little extra help.

Clippy (NYMag graphic)