Among those who were optimistic, a significant factor was the perceived opportunity created by digital start-ups.

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Whitman says their view is that they now have the opportunity to compete in a multi-form factor, multi-OS, multi-chipset world.

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The key factor here may well be economic opportunity.

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Obviously, the impromptu target of opportunity that occurred on the first night was another factor that adjusted the timing of the start of the campaign.

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The conference presented the opportunity to introduce both the idea of choice as the distinguishing factor between standard advertising and content as well as a metric for determining its effectiveness.

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With a ferocity not seen since Hurricane Katrina, the alarmists are taking every opportunity to sell the notion that global warming was a significant causal factor behind the unusually strong tornadoes.

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If however, you joined for any other reason (e.g. interest in your work topic, growth opportunity, good compensation, meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the company, etc.) then the coolness factor is just not a big factor.

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Sony missed an opportunity to make its mark early with bundled PC connectivity software, but this is largely a non-factor at launch.

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"It's the feel good factor of the city, hopefully it will put Bradford back on the map and give it an opportunity to try and lift spirits again around the area, " he said.

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