Israeli startup Zend Technologies has fired 25 percent of its R&D team (at least ten people), as well as others across the company, in an attempt to become cash flow positive, says a source close to the company.

The official Zend word is that yes, there have been layoffs but no, they cannot comment on the reasoning behind them. Several big names are being thrown around for possible buyers - Microsoft, IBM and Oracle - who have all shown interest in the past.

So there was this inflammatory Techcrunch post about Ning. Diego has already done a good job of walking through the inaccuracies, so I won't repeat that.

He mentions three main points that were mistakes highlighted in the Techcrunch article:

• When it comes to developer relations, (just about) no question or comment should be dismissed.
• The alternative to constantly tooting one's own horn is not total horn silence.
• The old saw is true: "all publicity is good publicity."

For each, he gives a little background, mentioning the real motivation behind Ning's methods and differing ideas...]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2006 06:48:45 -0600