ironically, Linus uses an andriod phone I believe..

And yes, Fitch is one of the big ones. I have NFI what books or economic literature you are reading if you dont know about it.

A "small" ratings agency will be Egan Jones... (who DID see the GFC coming, and downgraded ratings well in advance, google their reports during the GFC).

Key ppl on the ground in big ratings agencies saw it coming, but seeing it coming and actually pushing the upper management to change ratings is a different story. Anybody who has working in banking or even in a large corporation will understand how corporate inertia, vested interests and not wanting to rock the boat at work.

That being said, ratings agencies like any big corporation are a bit of a joke. Regardless, ratings have impact because these guys are still "official" and parties have to act on their ratings.