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                                                                EXHIBIT 10.2e
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                           SILVER LAKE PARTNERS, L.P.
                                 320 PARK AVENUE
                               NEW YORK, NY 10022

                                                 September 6, 2001
 Gartner, Inc.
 56 Top Gallant Road
 Stamford, CT 06904
 Attention:    Michael Fleisher

      Re: 6.0% Convertible Junior Subordinated Promissory Notes dated April 2000

 Dear Michael:

      This letter agreement, upon your execution and return, will be binding
upon Silver Lake Partners, L.P. and its affiliated entities Silver Lake
Investors L.P. and Silver Lake Technology Investors, L.L.C. (Silver Lake
Partners, L.P. and its affiliates being collectively referred to as "SLP") and
Gartner, Inc. ("Gartner") in respect of revisions (the "Note Revisions") to
SLP's investment in the outstanding 6.0% convertible subordinated notes due 2005
(the "Notes") of Gartner purchased by SLP on April 17, 2000. The Note Revisions
will include the amendment of (i) the definitive Notes issued by Gartner to SLP,
and the other applicable definitive agreements between the parties relating to
the issuance of the Notes and (ii) the Securityholders Agreement, dated as of
April 17,2000 (the "Securityholders Agreement"), among Gartner and the SLP
affiliated entities that are parties thereto. The terms and conditions of the
Note Revisions are set forth below (and capitalized terms that are defined in
the Notes and Securityholders Agreement are used herein with their defined
meanings).

      1. Binding Agreement. This letter agreement constitutes a binding
agreement between the parties, to the extent expressly set forth herein, with
the amendments and other modifications provided for hereunder by the Note
Revisions taking effect, without any further action required, immediately upon
the execution and delivery of this letter agreement by the parties hereto.
Promptly following the execution and delivery of this letter agreement, the
parties agree to prepare in good faith restatements of the applicable original
Notes documentation reflecting the terms and conditions contained in this letter
agreement, provided that the parties agree to be bound by the terms and
conditions contained herein until such time (if any) as such restatements of the
Notes documentation have been entered into for the Note Revisions. With the
exception of the terms and conditions contained in this letter agreement, all
other terms, conditions, representations, warranties, covenants and other
provisions contained in the Notes documentation executed in connection with the
purchase of the Notes by SLP shall remain in full force and effect and shall not
be otherwise affected hereby.

      2 . Note Revisions Terms.

      (a) Refinancing Right. The parties agree that Gartner's Refinancing Right
under the Notes has terminated.
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      (b) SLP Claimed Causes of Action. SLP will, and hereby does, waive and
release Gartner from all potential claims alleged by SLP or which may be alleged
by SLP against Gartner, including (without limitation) 10b-5, 10b-6, fraud,
misrepresentation, breach of covenant, breach of fiduciary duty and similar
claims relating to the acquisition of the Notes, the conduct by Gartner of the
relationship with SLP to date and the pricing of the First Anniversary Reset.
SLP expressly waives its rights under any statutory provision stating that a
general release of claims is not binding as to any claims of which the releasor
is not aware.

      (c) Conversion upon Change in Control. (i) The parties agree that (A)
subject to Section 2(c)(iii) below, in the event of a change in control of
Gartner in which its public stockholders receive cash or other consideration
from a third party (a "Change in Control") at a price per share greater than or
equal to $15.00 (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits and the
like), the Notes will automatically convert into Gartner Common Stock (and will
be entitled to receive the same consideration per share paid to holders of
Gartner Common Stock in the Change in Control), and (B) in the event of a Change
in Control at a lower price per share (or in the circumstances set forth in
Section 2(c)(iii) below), SLP will have the right but not the obligation, at its
election, to convert the Notes into Gartner Common Stock (and will be entitled
to receive the same consideration per share paid to holders of Gartner Common
Stock in the Change in Control).

      (ii) The parties also agree and acknowledge that upon a Change in Control
in which the Notes convert, (A) the rights and obligations of the parties under
Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Securityholders Agreement will terminate upon the
consummation of such Change in Control, and (B) SLP will be entitled (upon its
request therefor) to be designated as a "selling stockholder" in any
registration statement filed by or on behalf of the acquiring entity for the
registration of the securities being issued to Gartner's stockholders in such
Change in Control, with SLP being entitled to immediately sell all such
securities that it receives in such transaction (SLP's "Resale Registration
Rights"), provided that SLP shall not be permitted to exercise its Resale
Registration Rights if the proposed Change of Control is a tax-free exchange for
Gartner shareholders and such exercise would be the sole cause of that tax-free
Change in Control transaction becoming a taxable transaction (such transaction,
an "Impaired Tax-Free Change in Control Transaction"); and provided further
that, for the avoidance of doubt, following an Impaired Tax-Free Change in
Control Transaction, nothing contained herein will in any way otherwise limit
SLP's right to transfer the securities SLP receives in such transaction pursuant
to non-registered sales (including Rule 144 sales) or pursuant to SLP's existing
registration rights under Article 4 of the Securityholders Agreement. In
connection with any registration pursuant to the Resale Registration Rights,
Gartner and any acquiring entity will (x) keep the registration statement
effective for a period of at least 180 days (or such longer period as SLP may
reasonably request), subject to the ability of the issuer to toll the ability of
SLP to sell the securities that it receives in such transaction for up to two
periods of up to 45 days each (with at least 45 days transpiring between the
issuer's two tolling periods and which periods may not in any event be exercised
for a 45-day period following the closing of the Change in Control transaction)
upon notice to SLP, in the event that the Board of Directors of the issuer
determines that it would be materially detrimental to the issuer for SLP to
effect sales during such period, in which case the effectiveness of the
registration statement will be extended to the extent of the tolled period, (y)
take all actions that are customarily required to be taken by registrants in
such registered offerings and (z) pay all expenses related to such registration
(other than commissions to be paid by SLP as selling stockholders in respect of
their securities).

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      (iii) The parties further agree that if, in connection with an Impaired
Tax-Free Change in Control Transaction in which Gartner's public stockholders
receive cash or other consideration at a price per share greater than or equal
to $15.00 (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits and the like),
then following the parties' good faith efforts to implement reasonable changes
to the proposed transaction structure to achieve a tax-free exchange, the Notes
will not automatically convert and the transaction will be treated for all
purposes hereunder as a Change in Control at a price below $15.00 per share. SLP
agrees that in the event of an Impaired Tax-Free Change in Control Transaction
at a price per share greater than or equal to $15.00 (subject to appropriate
adjustment for stock splits and the like), in connection with which SLP elects
to convert the Notes into Gartner Common Stock (or otherwise enters into an
arrangement to receive consideration from such Impaired Tax-Free Change in
Control Transaction), SLP will not be entitled, without the consent of Gartner,
to receive consideration directly or indirectly from the acquiring entity that
is greater in value (per share of Gartner Common Stock underlying the Notes) or
different in form than the per share consideration offered in such transaction
to the public stockholders of Gartner.

      (d) Continuing Rights Following a Change in Control. The parties agree
and acknowledge that, upon any Change in Control, SLP will retain its right to
redemption under Section 5 of the Notes and its registration rights under
Article IV of the Securityholders Agreement, and (if applicable) any acquiring
entity will assume and honor SLP's existing registration rights, which rights
will thereafter be exercisable by SLP in respect of the securities received by
SLP from the acquiring entity in such Change in Control.

      (e) TechRepublic. SLP hereby waives any right to acquire an equity
interest in TechRepublic, and agrees that CNET, Inc. may rely upon such waiver
in connection with its recent acquisition of TechRepublic.

      (f) Capital Changes. Gartner contemplates a capital change involving the
combination of the currently outstanding Class A and Class B Common Stock into
one class. The parties will work together to determine any appropriate revisions
to existing SLP equity ownership thresholds that, following any such
recapitalization, will continue to trigger SLP's various rights under the
Purchase Agreement, the Notes and the Securityholders Agreement, in light of the
recapitalization and SLP's current higher ownership interest in Gartner.

      3 . Share Repurchases. Pursuant to Section 2.3(ix)(B) of the
Securityholders Agreement, SLP hereby consents to (a) the share repurchase
program authorized by the Board of Directors of Gartner at a meeting held on
July 17, 2001, provided, however, that such repurchase (i) is limited to the
repurchase by Gartner of shares of its outstanding Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock, (ii) is in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75.0
million, subject to any reduction as a result of the IMS Repurchase required
pursuant to clause (b) below, (iii) occurs prior to July 17, 2003, (iv) is
consummated in open market transactions (and not pursuant to an issuer tender
offer) and (v) is at prevailing market prices (the "July 17 Repurchase
Program"), and (b) the share repurchase authorized by the Board of Directors at
a meeting held on August 7, 2001, provided, however, that such repurchase (i) is
limited to the repurchase by Gartner of up to 2.0 million shares of its
outstanding Class A Common Stock from IMS Health, (ii) is in a transaction that
is conditioned upon, and subject to, the consummation of the sale by IMS Health
of its approximately 5.0 million additional shares of Class A Common Stock
(excluding shares to be repurchased by Gartner) to certain buyers (other than
Gartner) and (iii) reduces the maximum $75.0 million amount of the July 17
Repurchase Program concomitant with the dollar amount equal to aggregate amount
to be paid by Gartner in its purchase of such

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shares from IMS Health (such repurchase, the "IMS Repurchase"). The foregoing
consent of SLP shall not apply to any share repurchase program or share
repurchases (or modification of the July 17 Program or the IMS Repurchase) of or
by Gartner that are not effected as part of the July 17 Program or the IMS
Repurchase and in accordance with the foregoing terms (or, in the case of
clauses (a)(iii) and (a)(iv) above, substantially consistent with the terms
thereof).

      4. Miscellaneous Provisions.

      (a) Confidentiality. Except as may be required by law or applicable
exchange regulations, each of the parties agrees (i) to keep confidential and
not disclose any information with respect to the Note Revisions to any other
person, other than such party's advisers and representatives who need to receive
such information for purposes of actively participating in the Note Revisions
and who have been informed of the confidentiality provisions herein, and (ii) to
consult with each other prior to issuing any press or news release relating to
the Note Revisions or otherwise making any public statements with respect
thereto.

      (b) Governing Law. This letter agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

      (c) Expenses. Upon request by SLP, Gartner will reimburse all of SLP's
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the Note Revisions, including the
reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys employed by them in connection with
the Note Revisions, subject to a cap of $150,000.

      (d) Successors and Assigns. This letter agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their affiliates and their
respective predecessors, successors, heirs, administrators and assigns, and each
of them. In connection with any Gartner Change in Control transaction, Gartner
hereby agrees that it shall undertake to cause the applicable acquiring entity
to comply with the terms and conditions set forth herein, subject to any
exceptions expressly contained herein.

      (e) Counterparts. This letter agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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      Please indicate your binding agreement to the terms and conditions of this
letter agreement by executing this letter agreement in the space provided below.

                               Very truly yours,

                               SILVER LAKE PARTNERS, L.P.

                               By: Silver Lake Technology Associates, L.L.C.,
                                   its general partner

                                   By: /s/ Glenn H. Hutchins
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Name:  Glenn H. Hutchins
                                       Title: Managing Member

Accepted and agreed to
as of the date first written above:

GARTNER, INC.

By:__________________________
   Name:
   Title

                                       5<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit 10.15b

                     ADDENDUM NO. 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

            This Addendum No. 1 (the "Addendum") is entered into as of February
1, 2001, between Robert E. Knapp, an individual ("Executive") and Gartner, Inc.
(formerly known as Gartner Group, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                    RECITALS

      A. Executive and the Company are parties to an Employment Agreement dated
as of August 7, 2000 (the "Employment Agreement"), which provides for Executive
to serve as Chief Marketing Officer for the Company through September 30, 2003.

      B. The Company and Executive desire to modify some of the terms of the
Employment Agreement as set forth herein in accordance with corporate guidelines
governing members of the executive leadership team of the Company as authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Company.

                                    AGREEMENT

      THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the
parties hereby agree as follows:

      1. Amendments. (a) Section 6(b) of the Employment Agreement is deleted in
its entirety and is replaced with the following:

            (b)   Involuntary Termination. If at any time during the term of
                  this Agreement, other than following a Change in Control to
                  which Section 6(c) applies, the Company terminates the
                  employment of Executive involuntarily and without Business
                  Reasons or a Constructive Termination occurs, then in addition
                  to salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date,
                  Executive shall be entitled to receive the following: (i)
                  continued salary for a period of three years following the
                  Termination Date at the rate then in effect, payable in
                  accordance with the Company's regular payroll schedule as in
                  effect from time to time, (ii) at the Termination Date
                  Executive's minimum target bonus for the fiscal year in which
                  the Termination Date occurs plus any unpaid bonus from the
                  prior fiscal year, (iii) following the end of the fiscal year
                  in which the Termination Date occurs and management bonuses
                  have been determined, a pro rata share (based on the
                  proportion of the fiscal year during which Executive remained
                  an employee of the Company) of the bonus that would have been
                  payable to Executive under the bonus plan in excess of
                  Executive's minimum target bonus for the fiscal year, (iv)
                  following the end of the first fiscal year following the
                  fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, Executive's
                  minimum target bonus for such following fiscal year (or, if
                  the target bonus for such year was not previously set, then
                  Executive's minimum target bonus for the fiscal year in which
                  the Termination Date occurred), (v) acceleration in full of
                  vesting of all outstanding stock options, TARPS and other
                  equity arrangements subject to vesting and held by Executive
                  (and in
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                  this regard, all such options and other exercisable rights
                  held by Executive shall remain exercisable for one year
                  following the Termination Date, (vi) (A) for three years
                  following the Termination Date, continuation of group health
                  benefits at the Company's cost pursuant to the Company's
                  standard programs as in effect from time to time (or at the
                  Company's election substantially similar health benefits as in
                  effect at the Termination Date, through a third party carrier)
                  for Executive, his spouse and any children, and (B)
                  thereafter, to the extent COBRA shall be applicable to the
                  Company, continuation of health benefits for such persons at
                  Executive's cost, for a period of 18 months or such longer
                  period as may be applicable under the Company's policies then
                  in effect, provided the Executive makes the appropriate
                  election and payments, (vii) continuation of Executive's auto
                  benefits for one year following the Termination Date, and
                  (viii) no other compensation, severance or other benefits,
                  except only that this provision shall not limit any benefits
                  otherwise available to Executive under Section 6(c) in the
                  case of a termination following a Change in Control.
                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Company shall not
                  be required to continue to pay the salary or bonus specified
                  in clauses (i)(iii) or (iv) hereof for any period following
                  the Termination Date if Executive violates the noncompetition
                  agreement set forth in Section 11.

      (b) Section 6(c)(i) of the Employment Agreement is deleted and the
following is substituted therefor:

      (c) Change in Control.

            (i)   Benefits. If during the term of this Agreement a "Change in
                  Control" occurs (as defined below), then Executive shall be
                  entitled to receive the following: (i) salary and vacation
                  accrued through the date of the Change in Control plus an
                  amount equal to three years of Executive's salary as then in
                  effect, payable immediately upon the Change in Control, (ii)
                  an amount equal to three times Executive's target bonus for
                  the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs (as well
                  as any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year), all payable
                  immediately upon the Change in Control, (iii) acceleration in
                  full of vesting of all outstanding stock options, TARPS and
                  other equity arrangements subject to vesting and held by
                  Executive (and in this regard, all such options and other
                  exercisable rights held by Executive shall remain exercisable
                  one year following the date of the Change in Control, (iv) (A)
                  continuation of group health benefits at the Company's cost
                  pursuant to the Company's standard programs as in effect from
                  time to time (or at the Company's election substantially
                  similar health benefits as in effect at the Termination Date
                  (if applicable), through a third party carrier) for Executive,
                  his spouse and any children, for three years following the
                  date of the Change in Control (even if Executive ceases
                  employment), and (B) thereafter, to the extent COBRA shall be
                  applicable, continuation of health benefits for such persons
                  at Executive's cost, for a period of 18 months or such longer
                  period as may be applicable under the Company's policies then
                  in effect, provided the Executive makes the

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                  appropriate election and payments, and (v) no other
                  compensation, severance or other benefits.

      (c) Section 6(d) of the Employment Agreement is deleted in its entirety
and the following is substituted therefore:

            (d)   Termination for Disability. If at any time during the term of
                  this Agreement other than following a Change in Control to
                  which Section 6(c) applies Executive shall become unable to
                  perform his duties as an employee as a result of incapacity,
                  which gives rise to termination of employment for Disability,
                  then in addition to salary and vacation accrued through the
                  Termination Date, Executive shall be entitled to receive the
                  following: (i) continued salary for a period of three years
                  following the Termination Date, payable in accordance with the
                  Company's regular payroll schedule as in effect from time to
                  time, (ii) at the Termination Date, Executive's minimum target
                  bonus for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs
                  (plus any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year), (iii)
                  following the end of the fiscal year in which the Termination
                  Date occurs and management bonuses have been determined, any
                  bonus that would have been payable to Executive under the
                  bonus plan in excess of Executive's target bonus, (iv)
                  acceleration in full of vesting of all outstanding stock
                  options held by Executive (and in this regard, all such
                  options and other exercisable rights held by Executive shall
                  remain exercisable one year following the Termination Date (v)
                  (A) for one and one-half years following the Termination Date,
                  continuation of group health benefits at the Company's cost
                  pursuant to the Company's standard programs as in effect from
                  time to time (or at the Company's election substantially
                  similar health benefits as in effect at the Termination Date,
                  through a third party carrier) for Executive, his spouse and
                  any children, and (B) thereafter, to the extent COBRA shall be
                  applicable to the Company, continuation of health benefits for
                  such persons at Executive's cost, for a period of 18 months or
                  such longer period as may be applicable under the Company's
                  policies then in effect, provided the Executive makes the
                  appropriate election and payments, and (vi) no other
                  compensation, severance or other benefits, except only that
                  this provision shall not limit any benefits otherwise
                  available to Executive under Section 6(c) in the case of a
                  termination following a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the
                  foregoing, however, the Company may deduct from the salary
                  specified in clause (i) hereof the amount of any payments then
                  received by Executive under any disability benefit program
                  maintained by the Company.

      2. No Other Modifications. Except as set forth herein, all of the other
provisions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
Any capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the definitions
ascribed in the Employment Agreement.

      3. Governing, Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the state of Connecticut.

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The undersigned have executed this Amendment as of February 1, 2001.

GARTNER, INC.

BY /s/  [ILLEGIBLE]                         /s/ ROBERT E. KNAPP
   --------------------------               --------------------------------
   Its                                      ROBERT E. KNAPP

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