You are all insane. Look at the other so-called "partners": Intel, Hitachi, Arrow, Epson... these are all independant companies that happen to deal with Microsoft. I would be very surprised if a company such as Arrow or Epson would even have any stock owned by Microsoft - the relationships between these companies are just agreements/deals, not giving up one's soul. All of these companies could in the future abandon Microsoft, contract obligations permitting.
It's my opinion that Amiga is on this list for no reason other than MS is trying to give the world the impression that they care about Small Business.
In the end, who cares. I doubt M$ has given Amiga any money or entered any contracts/deals/buy-outs/investment of any sort. Perhaps Bill has talked to a few low-ranking MS bureaucrats about .NET and the DE, but I doubt much is happening. I would say the MS employee Amiga hired had some contacts - it's called "networking" - and Amiga is hitching a ride because they know people who know the right people. And good on them. This is a good chance for exposure.
- Paul
