ShadowRAM: April 2, 2007

MAN ON A MISSION
So how does a high-flying former Microsoft exec go about life after the big M?

If he's Charles Simonyi—make that Dr. Charles Simonyi—he founds another software company, Intentional Software and, oh, by the way, decides to do a little space traveling. Yes, Simonyi, one of Bill Gates' purported faves at the company after his work on Multiplan, Excel and Word, is gonna take off as the world's fifth private space traveler.

His capsule mates, if that's the right terminology, will be two Russian cosmonauts and a U.S astronaut, according to published reports. He's spending $20 million of his own money for the privilege.

If he does not make the trip, he and former boy group star Lance Bass can commiserate on their shared missed opportunity.

Those wanting more on Simonyi's excellent adventure can check out www.charlesinspace.com.

JUMPING THE ERP SHIP
What is it about ERP that's causing bigwig execs to fly the coop?

First, it was Satya Nadella, Microsoft's Dynamics heir to Doug Burgum. He barely gets his new business cards—and keynotes the big Microsoft biz apps event—when he moves over to Microsoft's troubled search effort.

Then, last week, Shai Agassi and SAP said they're parting ways. Agassi reportedly was sick of waiting for the SAP top spot—with the recent extension of Henning Kagermann's contract, it was clear he'd have to cool his heels another couple years. Agassi is going to pursue his interests in alternative energy, said SAP.

That caused Zach Nelson, CEO of rival NetSuite, to quip: "Apparently, Shai thinks solving global warming will be easier than sorting out SAP's midmarket application strategy. He's probably right."

Now, Kagermann and Leo Apotheker are SAP's top dogs for the foreseeable future. After chairman Hasso Plattner, that is.

Back in Redmond, Microsoft said Jeff Raikes and Tami Reller will figure out MBS leadership, with Reller acting as the chief on an interim basis. Some MBS VARs want Reller named now. Some are even thinking about silk-screening their own "Vote for Tami" T-shirts and may forge ahead if they think it helps their cause.

SEEN AND HEARD

• Can you hear me now? Rumor had it that the star of Verizon Wireless' hilarious "Can you hear me now?" ads was headed to Ingram Micro's VentureTech Network gathering. Apparently, he didn't get the message. Or it was just too much to move his huge network around.

• How much coffee does it take to keep 1,000 open-source devotees caffeinated through a three-day conference? More than 665 gallons, according to EclipseCon organizers. But the coffee consumption is nothing compared to the booze. Attendees at this year's gathering went through 7,632 beer and wine tickets, Eclipse's Mike Milinkovich announced at the closing session. Reminiscing about the more teetotaling ways of attendees in the early days, Milinkovich began, "I can remember "

"The first thousand?" one audience wag shouted.

• At the recent Intel Solutions Summit, the chip maker cited Royal Business Equipment as a partner that made best use of channel resources. That name sparked a flashback among reporters of a certain age. Let me satisfy your curiosity: Yes, Royal still makes typewriters.

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