OUR INNOVATION: PANIC ATTACK AS GRAND STRATEGY

“We’re very anxious to have software developers throughout the world contributing the platform.”

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, on his company’s new-little-new-late X-Box gaming machine, introduced after Windows CE flopped as a gaming platform, ZDNN, 10 March 2000

AND WE INTEND TO BE VERY LIQUID WHEN IT ARRIVES

“We believe that the next big thing that is going to change the world will be wireless Internet. It’s going to be one of those tidal waves in technology.”

Former Microsoft exec Brad Silverberg, hoping his new gig as CEO of Ignition, a wireless holding company, won’t prove he’s all wet, The New York Times, 8 March 2000

THOSE INTERNET KIDS WILL FORWARD ANYTHING

“We thought it would be great to use the Internet to market our new store in the Bay Area because we know how tech savvy that area is.”

John Niland, IKEA North America’s business-development coordinator, on the Swedish furniture concern’s campaign to get friends to send spam on its behalf, News.com, 8 March 2000

OUR FUD HAS SOME Y2K ISSUES

“The PalmPilot is so ’90s — they need to update their email solution to get into the 20th century.”

Microsoft marketing bot Phil Holden, whose Windows CE-based system clock appears to need updating, News.com, 7 March 2000

AND I HAD TO EXPLAIN TO EVERYONE THAT IT WASN’T A NEW DRUG

“You know, I had one of the first PPP connections in the East Village.”

Silicon Alley gadabout Jaime Levy, on her claim to Manhattan-centric fame, New York, 6 March 2000