Author: Matt

“Nobody wants to wait 90 seconds to do anything. The concept of ‘instant-on’ is probably the most underrated improvement that’s needed.”

Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos, whose enthusiasm for impulse buying might be misplaced, considering the same technology lets shareholders indulge in instant selling, CBS MarketWatch, 20 September 2000

“As broadband demand grows, and as we continue to execute, I believe the company’s best market opportunities still lie ahead.”

Excite@Home CEO George Bell, expressing an optimism he’d like another CEO to assume as a burden going forward, TheStreet.com, 19 September 2000

“In some ways, [Bell] would like to be CEO forever. But he loves his family and he can’t be in two places at the same time.”

Excite@Home board member Will Hearst, on the reasons why Bell decided he would, after all, step down as CEO to spend more time a continent away from Excite@Home’s headquarters, TheStreet.com, 19 September 2000

“It may sound absurd in this Internet age, but sometimes you must physically be in an environment to feel what is happening. You need presence.”

Odigo CEO Avner Ronen, opening up questions about the value of the instant-messaging arena his company competes in, The New York Times Magazine, 17 September 2000

“Next year, 2001, is the year of Bluetooth, so in reality it won’t be here for a year or two.”

Toshiba executive Steven Andler, on how the Bluetooth wireless standard is the technology of the future — always has been, always will be, News.com, 15 September 2000

“I think it’s just as interesting to go to Burning Man as it is to go the Democratic convention. I have never been there, but I think that the art and culture of the digital revolution is a good place to be for Time.”

Time managing editor Walter Isaacson, on his plans to attend the geeks’ raucous caucus in the Nevada desert, Inside.com, 28 August 2000