In February you were inducted into the Silicon Valley Hall of Fame. My principal feeling is that I am fortunate to be able to continue to apply the experience and knowledge I have accumulated over many years both to education and to business. First let's talk about software. The move for simplification is under way. It can't get here fast enough.
Most database software is still far too difficult to understand for ordinary users.
The migration to a true database operating environment can mean real productivity gains, but hiring qualified software consultants or professionals is out of reach for most smaller businesses. We have a ways to go to make it all easy for many users. I think hosted services will get us going in that direction. Many companies will still want to control their own software just as many now want to manage their own systems instead of outsourcing their computer operations. But just as we see companies getting more comfortable with outsourcing and learning how to manage securely their various outsourced operations we will see more use of web based hosted services.