Scott McNealy, Sun Microsystems

business users.

What it means: Open network computing is still the focus of Sun's vision, same as it has been for the better part of 20 years. It's manifested in the Sun ONE vision, which revolves around vertical stacks of software and services developed by Sun. It hinges on open software and hardware systems and depends on a stable, secure Internet platform.

VARBusiness' View: Many companies are ailing, but Sun is in a world of pain. Executives, including former president and COO Ed Zander, have left. Partners have gone bankrupt. Sun technologies, while still edgy, have been challenged by Microsoft and others. Once the sales leader in 64-bit server technology, Sun's dominance there is now being challenged by the likes of HP, IBM and Intel. True to its nature, Sun is fighting back with new 32-bit x86 systems and new allies in the channel. And it's reclaimed some lost share to IBM. But its messaging remains muddled. For example, its steadfast claim to be the leader of open-systems computing is now under siege: Is Solaris any more open, for example, than Linux? And what about SPARC? That's more open than Intel's Itanium? McNealy is right about one thing, though: At least SPARC is shipping in volume. But his message still hinges on blasting rivals more than on selling Sun. Here's a thought: Be brash still, but more realistic.

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