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New Year's Convolutions

January 10, 2005 12:00 PM ET

Computerworld - Here I go, bucking the system again. What is it with me? Everybody's writing columns about their New Year's resolutions, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Instead, as convoluted and norm-defying as it may be, I'm going to write about the things I have absolutely no intention of changing in 2005.
I will be just as annoying as ever in saying "told ya so." As you're probably aware, Dave Duffield resigned from his position as CEO of PeopleSoft on Dec. 21, just one day after my column in which I advised users to expect an exodus of PeopleSoft execs . A few days later, PeopleSoft Co-Presidents Kevin Parker and Phillip Wilmington got the boot. Of course, all of that was a gimme. My grandmother knew Duffield would be the one to start the exit door revolving, and it pretty much went without saying that Oracle was going to clean house as soon as it got the keys. What could possibly be more annoying than saying "told ya so" after making a prediction that's glaringly obvious?
I will continue to grudgingly admit it when I goof up. In that same column, I quoted Damien Bean as comparing the Oracle/PeopleSoft merger with "Sperry buying Burroughs." As any number of helpful readers have pointed out, it was actually Burroughs that bought Sperry. And of course that's exactly what Bean said when we spoke, but I somehow managed to flip the two company names around when I wrote the column. That was just plain stupid. Sorry for the brain burp, and especially for the appearance that it was Bean's super-sharp brain that had gas.
I will keep shopping at Wal-Mart, despite the fact that the retailer intimidates its suppliers into toeing its RFID line. It's no secret that many of those suppliers are less than delighted with Wal-Mart's overbearing RFID mandate and what it means for their own bottom lines, but they're just petrified to say anything to upset the good ol' boys in Arkansas. That's disgusting. On the other hand, I hate paying more for razors and shoe polish than I have to. Besides, at least they don't sell the bedding and cookware lines of any convicted felons. And where else can you buy clothes that you know weren't made by a bunch of geezers?
I will persist in believing in miracles. How could I not? How else could anyone explain how Advanced Micro Devices has been so successful with its Opteron processor, while Intel's Itanium albatross is being plucked



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