2001: He said, she said - the year in quotes

"May you live in interesting times," says the curse (often said to be of ancient Chinese origin, though scholars dispute that). With all its horror, heartbreak, and occasional highlights, no one can deny that 2001 has been an interesting year, for IT folk as for everyone.

Herewith, a selection of noteworthy utterances that capture some of the key events in the IT year.

On terrorism, the events of Sept. 11, and security measures taken in the aftermath:

"Osama bin Laden has at his disposal the wealth of a $3 trillion a year telecommunications industry that he can rely on. ... We are behind the curve in keeping up with the global telecommunications revolution." -- General Mike Hayden, head of the U.S. National Security Agency, in an interview broadcast on CBS' "60 Minutes II" news show six months before the attacks. (Feb. 12)

"The face of America changes as of today. The face of IT is going to change." -- Winn Schwartau, president of Interpact Inc., and an author on computer security (Sept. 11)

"I'm scared, not of the terrorists, but of our terror." -- John Perry Barlow, co-founder and vice chairman of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), anticipating increased surveillance and less freedom on the Internet. (Sept. 12)

"I regret to inform you that we are today sending our troops into the modern field of battle with antique weapons. It is not a prescription for victory." -- U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, asking Congress to approve sweeping new measures that, among other things, ease electronic surveillance. The bills passed both houses with overwhelming majorities. (Sept. 25)

On economic hard times:

"We have power here in California, and the sun is out. That's all we can ask these days." -- Ed Zander, Sun Microsystems Inc. president and chief operating officer, announcing the company's dismal earnings forecast for its fiscal third quarter. (Feb. 22)

"I have high-tech burnout. It is kind of a good time to stop working." -- Kelly Geyer, one of a growing number of former technology industry workers signing up for the Peace Corps. (April 4)

"When it comes to the current quarter, I think the only way that describes it is 'the perfect storm,'" Compaq Computer Corp. Chief Executive Officer Michael Capellas, estimating the company's third-quarter losses at between US$7.4 billion and $7.5 billion. (Oct. 1)

On the collapse of Web hype:

"There was a period a year ago when if you could spell Internet you got five million dollars ... and if you could spell TCP/IP you got ten (million)." -- Former Netscape Communications Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Barksdale, speaking to Harvard Business School students. (Feb 12)

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