"People object that there is no economic model for it, but there is: the economic model of flower-boxes...I put out flower-boxes to raise my self-esteem and make my house look more attractive. If almost everyone does it then the whole town becomes more beautiful. The same thing can happen with communications. The challenge for telecom is to combine wireless with very intelligent devices...The combination will allow us to use spectrum in a very different way, in more efficient and organic ways than before," - Nicolas Negroponte
Source: Nordic Wireless Watch <http://www.nordicwirelesswatch.com/wireless/story.html?story_id=3152>
"We were discussing the future challenges in information technology, including the issues related to software security...I made a point that we look for open-source codes so that we can easily introduce the users-built security algorithms. Our discussions became difficult, since our views were different....The most unfortunate thing is that India still seems to believe in proprietary solutions... Further spread of IT, which is influencing the daily life of individuals, would have a devastating effect on the lives of society due to any small shift in the business practice involving these proprietary solutions. It is precisely for these reasons open-source software needs to be built, which would be cost-effective for the entire society. In India, open-source code software will have to come and stay in a big way for the benefit of our billion people." - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, in a speech recounting his meeting with Bill Gates
Source: ZDNet News/India <http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t272-s2135401,00.html>
"We know that Linux is not for everything ...But there are not many applications that require more than Linux can give us." - Mark Snodgrass, VP Global Technology & Services, Merrill Lynch
Source: CNET <http://news.com.com/2100-1016_3-1014287.html>
""In this environment of lean IT budgets and concerns about Microsoft's attention to customers, non-commercial software such as Linux and OpenOffice is seen as interesting 'good enough' or 'free' alternatives... Over the long term, I'm optimistic about our growth opportunities. But we face significant challenges in the near- and mid-term... The overall state of the economy is an issue. As I talk with business customers, there is less passion and enthusiasm for technology, and greater focus on doing more for less." - Steve Ballmer, in an email to Microsoft employees
Source: Reuters <http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/1938755>
"There's no fancy equipment, so a lot of what we use as test equipment turns out to be hacked development boards, blinking LEDs, and occasionally a loud buzzer which scares the hell out of everyone." Andrew Greenberg of the Portland State Aerospace Society, which uses Linux and open source code to control suborbital satellite launches
be a guest on jay leno : not exactly, but your TiVo can claim you are. with the simple use of some scripts to run on your TiVo, you can change the descriptions of the television programs to guest star you. - Rafi Kirkorian on TiVo hacks
Source: Wasted-Bits <http://www.bitwaste.com/wasted-bits/index.cgi/media/books/tivo-hacks>