Recession then Shopping spree then Boom.

Actually when recession is around the corner, most of the bellwether technology firm's executives become an impulsive shopping buyers and their shopping spree would increase as sky high. As of now, Microsoft is trying to buy Yahoo, Digg.com and they already bought Danger ( a start up mobile software company ). Microsoft may not continue to pursuit to buy more companies after Yahoo, since their shopping budget for this recession may run out with expensive Yahoo purchase. Then all other bellwether jumps into shopping such as Google, IBM and Oracle. This is good for start up companies, because most of the acquired company's top executives and top tier software engineers, would quit because of sudden culture change and unable to adjust with new management etc. They come out to start a new start up or join with already booming innovative start ups. This is really boost for these start ups, which are struggling with funding as well as attrition now. This is starting of next boom cycle.