Microsoft Description

* * * * * * * * * * DESCRIPTION * * * * * * * * * *



Microsoft's ambitions are anything but small. The world's #1 software company provides a variety of products and services, including its Windows operating systems and Office software suite. The company has expanded into markets such as video game consoles, interactive television, and Internet access. With its core markets maturing, Microsoft is targeting services for growth, looking to transform its software applications into Web-based services for enterprises and consumers. Microsoft has reached settlements to end a slew of antitrust investigations and lawsuits, including agreeing to uniformly license its operating systems and allowing manufacturers to include competing software with Windows.

Boeing Description

* * * * * * * * * * DESCRIPTION * * * * * * * * * *



Boeing is the 800-pound gorilla of US aerospace. The world's largest aerospace company, Boeing is also the #2 maker of large commercial jets (having fallen behind bitter rival Airbus) and the #2 defense contractor behind Lockheed Martin. Boeing has two major segments: Commercial Airplanes and Integrated Defense Systems. Boeing's commercial aircraft include the 787 Dreamliner (due in 2008), 767, 747, and the 737; military aircraft include the F/A-18 Hornet, the F-15 Eagle, the C-17 Globemaster III transport, and the AH-64D Apache helicopter. Boeing's space operations include communications satellites, missiles, the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle (with Lockheed).