Opinion

The two news items are unconnected, but collectively they point to something big on the horizon for computing in terms of speed, performance and capability.

Powder Days

One of the most important lessons I remember being taught in journalism school is to always – always – consider the source.

Three years ago this week, on March 10, 2000, the Nasdaq composite index, the index for the tech companies and the new economy, closed at an all time high: 5,048.62. Most of this week it was around 1,200.

Remember Napster? Maybe this brief timeline will refresh your memory: Early 1999 – Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker, aged 19 and 20, launch the Napster peer-to-peer file-sharing system, and it spreads from campus to campus like wildfire.

"We are building infrastructure. Now, more than ever, prosperity depends on reliable transportation and communication.

Cold weather lessons

The Internet is many different things to many different people. For some users it’s primarily a jukebox, VCR, and video game console. For others it’s a teacher, tutor and library.

We all want guarantees, whether its on investments, access to health care, or ski and snowboard equipment. But the fact is there aren’t many guarantees in life. The best most of us can hope for are opportunities.

The world I know is not black and white, but several shades of yellow. The Simpsons are now in their 13 th season, and are on television about five times a day through syndication.