Year in review: Lifestyles of the rich and infamous
Technology may seem inherently interesting, but it's still the people behind the hardware and software who make the best stories.
Newsmakers: Lifestyles of the rich and infamous
Technology may seem inherently interesting, but it's still the people behind the hardware and software who make the best stories. Here is a rundown of News.com's most intriguing one-on-one interviews from the past year.
When Bill Clinton ran against Bob Dole in 1996, the Internet was a blip on most politicians' radar screens. Eight years later, every politico handler worth their salt was blogging, organizing and fundraising via the Web. Zephyr Teachout, the cyberbrains behind Howard Dean's remarkable run, may have built the model that future campaign staffs will swear by.
By now who hasn't heard of JibJab? This Internet humor Web site enjoyed celebrity status during the presidential election as word spread. Gregg Spiridellis co-founded the company, which also underscored the mainstreaming of the Internet as a consumer venue for news and entertainment.But the Internet didn't hog center stage for the entire year. A lot of ink was devoted to the ongoing drama involving Oracle's pursuit of PeopleSoft. Although CEO Larry Ellison eventually got his way with PeopleSoft, Hewitt Pate made him earn it. The Justice Department's antitrust chief took Oracle to court in the first big face-off pitting Uncle Sam against a software maker since the Microsoft antitrust days.
Speaking of Ellison, if there is one person in the computer industry who knows Oracle's mercurial No. 1 better than anyone it is Oracle's former No. 2 Ray Lane. The veteran software executive, who is now a venture capitalist, had a message for the rest of the software industry about the future: It won't necessarily be written in Silicon Valley.
One person Lane clearly had in mind was Vivek Paul, the CEO of Wipro Technologies, one of India's largest IT outfits and a major beneficiary of the pickup in offshore outsourcing from the United States.
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO, might have thought he was starring in a reprise of the movie "Groundhog's Day." Just as it had in 2003, the company struggled to remain one step ahead of a band of virus writers whose nasty handicraft infiltrated the Internet in record numbers.
What's the secret sauce to Dell's success? If indeed there were a recipe, then the IBMs and Hewlett-Packards of the world would doubtless follow the instructions down to a T. Although Dell has made it look easy, it's not that simple. Just ask Kevin Rollins, who has directed this phenomenal climb to the top of the computing world.
Despite his decision to bow out next year as CEO, Craig Barrett has had no time to get sentimental about one of the more storied careers in Silicon Valley. That's because 2004 proved to be one of the chipmaker's toughest years to navigate.
During his years as a senior government counter-terrorism officer and then White House cyberczar, Richard Clarke earned a reputation for straight talk. And when it comes to security and IT, he has little patience for pipedreams.
--Charles Cooper
The cyberbrains behind Howard Dean
Zephyr Teachout, Internet director for Howard Dean's presidential run, explains how the campaign has used technology to mobilize online activists.January 16, 2004
Oracle will not get its way
Antitrust chief Hewitt Pate explains why the Department of Justice is crossing swords with Larry Ellison over PeopleSoft.March 8, 2004
Trouble on Silicon Valley's doorstep
Software veteran Ray Lane says the industry has yet to grasp the implications of structural and technology changes that will force big dislocations.March 9, 2004
Jack Valenti's curtain call
Hollywood's top lobbyist will leave behind an industry caught in a love-hate relationship with technology. And what does he have to say about the Internet?June 21, 2004
Offshoring: A view from both shores
Wipro Technologies CEO Vivek Paul is a U.S. citizen who also happens to spearhead outsourcing efforts for one of India's biggest IT companies.June 29, 2004
Escaping the jaws of Microsoft
Since taking the reins of Germany's SAP last year, Henning Kagermann has hardly had a dull moment.July 7, 2004
Ballmer: Xbox to 'take Sony'
Microsoft CEO discusses Longhorn concerns, IBM comparisons and Sony gaming bets.July 14, 2004
Passing the JibJab Presidential test
Gregg Spiridellis, who founded JibJab with his brother Evan, describes the process behind their humorous work.October 14, 2004
Getting intelligent about the brain
Jeff Hawkins invented the PalmPilot. Now he's ready to solve the puzzle of artificial intelligence.October 27, 2004
Paying a price to be No. 1
Intel's plain-spoken CEO has a message for the nation: If you want to stay on top, it's time to rev up your competitive metabolism.October 29, 2004
Is the winning streak in jeopardy?
CEO Kevin Rollins' long run of good fortune faces the biggest test yet. Still, he says, "I wouldn't go run (HP)."November 2, 2004
Straight talking on terrorism
Richard Clarke, former U.S. counterterrorism chief, tells what countries are really doing about cybersecurity.November 17, 2004
Newsmakers: Lifestyles of the rich and infamous
Technology may seem inherently interesting, but it's still the people behind the hardware and software who make the best stories. Here is a rundown of News.com's most intriguing one-on-one interviews from the past year.
When Bill Clinton ran against Bob Dole in 1996, the Internet was a blip on most politicians' radar screens. Eight years later, every politico handler worth their salt was blogging, organizing and fundraising via the Web. Zephyr Teachout, the cyberbrains behind Howard Dean's remarkable run, may have built the model that future campaign staffs will swear by.
By now who hasn't heard of JibJab? This Internet humor Web site enjoyed celebrity status during the presidential election as word spread. Gregg Spiridellis co-founded the company, which also underscored the mainstreaming of the Internet as a consumer venue for news and entertainment.But the Internet didn't hog center stage for the entire year. A lot of ink was devoted to the ongoing drama involving Oracle's pursuit of PeopleSoft. Although CEO Larry Ellison eventually got his way with PeopleSoft, Hewitt Pate made him earn it. The Justice Department's antitrust chief took Oracle to court in the first big face-off pitting Uncle Sam against a software maker since the Microsoft antitrust days.
Speaking of Ellison, if there is one person in the computer industry who knows Oracle's mercurial No. 1 better than anyone it is Oracle's former No. 2 Ray Lane. The veteran software executive, who is now a venture capitalist, had a message for the rest of the software industry about the future: It won't necessarily be written in Silicon Valley.
One person Lane clearly had in mind was Vivek Paul, the CEO of Wipro Technologies, one of India's largest IT outfits and a major beneficiary of the pickup in offshore outsourcing from the United States.
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO, might have thought he was starring in a reprise of the movie "Groundhog's Day." Just as it had in 2003, the company struggled to remain one step ahead of a band of virus writers whose nasty handicraft infiltrated the Internet in record numbers.
What's the secret sauce to Dell's success? If indeed there were a recipe, then the IBMs and Hewlett-Packards of the world would doubtless follow the instructions down to a T. Although Dell has made it look easy, it's not that simple. Just ask Kevin Rollins, who has directed this phenomenal climb to the top of the computing world.
Despite his decision to bow out next year as CEO, Craig Barrett has had no time to get sentimental about one of the more storied careers in Silicon Valley. That's because 2004 proved to be one of the chipmaker's toughest years to navigate.
During his years as a senior government counter-terrorism officer and then White House cyberczar, Richard Clarke earned a reputation for straight talk. And when it comes to security and IT, he has little patience for pipedreams.
--Charles Cooper
The cyberbrains behind Howard Dean
Zephyr Teachout, Internet director for Howard Dean's presidential run, explains how the campaign has used technology to mobilize online activists.January 16, 2004
Oracle will not get its way
Antitrust chief Hewitt Pate explains why the Department of Justice is crossing swords with Larry Ellison over PeopleSoft.March 8, 2004
Trouble on Silicon Valley's doorstep
Software veteran Ray Lane says the industry has yet to grasp the implications of structural and technology changes that will force big dislocations.March 9, 2004
Jack Valenti's curtain call
Hollywood's top lobbyist will leave behind an industry caught in a love-hate relationship with technology. And what does he have to say about the Internet?June 21, 2004
Offshoring: A view from both shores
Wipro Technologies CEO Vivek Paul is a U.S. citizen who also happens to spearhead outsourcing efforts for one of India's biggest IT companies.June 29, 2004
Escaping the jaws of Microsoft
Since taking the reins of Germany's SAP last year, Henning Kagermann has hardly had a dull moment.July 7, 2004
Ballmer: Xbox to 'take Sony'
Microsoft CEO discusses Longhorn concerns, IBM comparisons and Sony gaming bets.July 14, 2004
Passing the JibJab Presidential test
Gregg Spiridellis, who founded JibJab with his brother Evan, describes the process behind their humorous work.October 14, 2004
Getting intelligent about the brain
Jeff Hawkins invented the PalmPilot. Now he's ready to solve the puzzle of artificial intelligence.October 27, 2004
Paying a price to be No. 1
Intel's plain-spoken CEO has a message for the nation: If you want to stay on top, it's time to rev up your competitive metabolism.October 29, 2004
Is the winning streak in jeopardy?
CEO Kevin Rollins' long run of good fortune faces the biggest test yet. Still, he says, "I wouldn't go run (HP)."November 2, 2004
Straight talking on terrorism
Richard Clarke, former U.S. counterterrorism chief, tells what countries are really doing about cybersecurity.November 17, 2004