The Word From Comdex 2001

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates opened Comdex by promising, "the best is yet to come" in the upcoming "Digital Decade."

Cisco CEO John Chambers echoed that optimism, promising that companies would implement technology at ever-increasing rates.

Handspring chairman Jeff Hawkins belittled Microsoft's Tablet PC, while touting his company's Treo, a combined cell phone, PDA and pager device.

Toshiba's U.S. boss, Rod Keller spelled out his plans to turn around the struggling computer maker.

Top 25 executives in their special issue.

Other News

In a call with Wall Street analysts, HP CEO Carly Fiorina once again defended the HP/Compaq merger saying it is the best way to "grow and deliver the value our shareowners, customers and employees expect and deserve."

Leapin Leonids!

This Sunday, it just might be worth it to get up reaaaally early. Even if the reality falls short of predictions, the Leonid meteor shower should arrive in dramatic fashion sometime around 5 a.m. ET. Thirty-five years ago, in astronomically similar circumstances, some observers saw as many as 40 meteors per second (yes, a second) for about 20 minutes. Even the weather looks accommodating here in the northeastern U.S. If nothing else, you may want to look out your window Saturday night to see if you spot any early arrivals.

Foresight

VARBusiness honors twenty Visionaries in its next issue, going online this evening. CRN examines Symantec's strategic shift away from best-of-breed products to a broadbased security offering.

I'm on the road next week. Happy Thanksgiving!