MacNN refers to a Fortune article that outlines how meaningless the Apple-Microsoft deal really is. There are some interesting digs at the deal's orchestrator, Steve Jobs: "...Apple isn't out of the woods yet. But Steve is. His money isn't riding on this sinking ship anymore." Strong words, but it's certainly noteworthy that the man at Apple's helm has only one share of its stock, and thus has less to lose (financially) than many less-wealthy individuals throw away on lottery tickets each week.

At the same time, though, he doesn't stand to gain much money, either. If he triples the stock price and sells off his share, he'd be able to take former "As The Apple Turns" cast members Joel Kocher and Gil Amelio to Denny's and a movie. No, it's obvious to all viewers that Steve's motivation in steering his old ship out of dangerous waters is nothing but love. Or is it revenge? With such strategies as throwing a stranglehold on the clone market seeming less "insanely great" and more just "insane," we all have to wonder...

Meanwhile, MacOS Rumors reports that Steve Jobs, the puppetmaster himself, has been seen skulking around Austin, Texas. Ostensibly he's there on a random visit to Apple facilities in the area. While Austin is the home of "troubled" clonemaker Power Computing, our more gullible viewers are sure to think it's just a coincidence. But what DID happen in the early-morning "emergency meeting" between Apple and Power last week? Why all the rumors about Power layoffs and cash crunches? Stay tuned.

And speaking of Power Computing, let's take a peek behind the scenes of our fave cloner... Macintouch quotes a Businessweek article in which it's revealed that Joel Kocher, the former COO of Power, had urged a "war" on Apple in a board meeting a couple of weeks ago. Joel's two-pronged attack would have involved a price war to pummel Apple in the marketplace, and a volley of high-tech lawyers suing for breach of contract-- apparently Joel sees some subtext in the slogan "Beat the Machine." (Remember "Fight Back for the Mac?") After seeing Mr. Kocher's saber-rattling attitude at the Expo a few weeks back, Yours Truly has no trouble believing that he proposed such a plan-- and then "quit" in a snit when cooler heads prevailed. Now license negotiations are in the hands of Steve Kahng... Can he persuade Steve Jobs to move forward on the cloning issue?

Just to make matters worse for the cloners, Apple has clarified that its decision not to certify any CHRP machines extends to a cert ban on PPC 750 (aka G3 Arthur) systems, as well, so says MacWeek. The drama continues, as Power Computing prepares to ship its PowerTower Pro G3 next week in staunch rebellion of Apple's mandate. Chillingly enough, the same article cites rumors that Apple's Microsoftian plan of buying back Power's MacOS license may extend to Motorola and other clonemakers as well.

"As The Apple Turns" doesn't need writers, as long as the players keep talking the way they do. For a bizarre example of one Apple executive's "ivory tower" assessment of the cloning fracas, read MacInsider's August 22nd Exclusive. Key excerpt: "The Apple logo is synonymous with affluence and technology. Mac clones are eroding this Apple image. We must maintain our independence as a company and as a platform." Sound like a snippet from an old "Dynasty" teleplay? Apparently at least this one Apple exec wants Macintosh to be "The Computer The Rest Of Us Can't Afford."