He tells these teenagers the key to being an astronaut is having a solid background in math and science.

VOA: standard.2010.02.02

The solid IBM results follow similarly solid recent results from other key IT players like Oracle (ORCL) and Accenture (ACN).

FORBES: IBM Q1 Tops Street Estimates; Hikes Full Year Forecast

Motorola is not generally front-of-mind in markets outside the US, and after some low-key launches of solid phones is perhaps aiming to rectify that.

FORBES: The Intel-Motorola Alliance: First Intel-Powered Smartphone Launched Today

And, with some solid hints of stabilization in key markets, including housing, we may be starting to see some of the fruits of this investment.

WHITEHOUSE: Opening Remarks by the Vice President at the Business Leaders Roundtable on the Recovery Act | The White House