All The Right Moves
I gave up on my Palm two years ago, never bothered with a BlackBerry, and don't even own a laptop ("iPhone Calling," Jan. 15). Why? I just don't really need all that much mobility in my position.

The iPhone struck me differently. I'll most likely buy one, or at least I'll want one very much. I think Apple has accomplished what so many other companies have failed to accomplish. It's provided a truly versatile, and very attractive, mobile tool. I like tools.

I also like the fact that this is a cool, useful device made by the Comeback Kid. Everyone loves a race where the last-place horse somehow manages to win. I give Steve Jobs all sorts of credit for what he's done in the past few years. I can't wait to see what's next.

Chris M. Hall
President, RepairClinic.com
Canton, Mich.

Ease The Data Crunch
Software development is increasingly being derided for projects taking too long, costing too much, and not working as planned ("The Useless Hunt For Data," Jan. 8). Projects typically involve disconnected systems that produce silos of information that managers can't access in a timely enough fashion to take appropriate corrective action.

The trend to address this problem is what's sometimes referred to as "fusion applications." Fusion apps take these disconnected tools and systems and fuse them together into a single application, enabling managers to gain access to real-time data on critical issues, such as schedule, cost, quality, and scope in the case of software development.

Mark Wesker
CEO, Artifact Software
Baltimore

Crime And Punishment
Does anyone else find it strange that the cybersaboteur got sentenced to 97 months ("Cybersaboteur Sentenced," Dec. 18/25), while the professor who was found with a lot of child pornography got six months and served only four ("Decision Time In Law School Child-Porn Case," Dec. 18/25)?

I'm not advocating less time for Roger Duronio for going after PaineWebber servers, but the message seems to be, "Screw with our money and you are going to jail for some serious time; screw with our children and you get a pass."

Larry Woldt
Windsor, Colo.

Bandwidth Is The Issue
Your reasoning against net neutrality is invalid ("Net Neutrality Bill Sparks Debate," Jan. 12). We should pay for bandwidth, not content. If I want 10 HD TV channels, then I will get a very high-speed connection. If I have only a low-speed connection, then I will either watch one HD TV channel or make two phone calls or use 10 computers to view Web pages. The choice should be mine.

As for costs, leave that to the open market to set.

Neeraj Nigam
Marketing Manager, PN Travels
Sterling, Va.

Vista Chases Mac
Thank you for the well-written article comparing Microsoft's much-trumpeted Vista operating system versus XP and Mac OS X ("Review: Mac OS Shines In Comparison With Windows Vista," Jan. 6; infor mationweek.com/1120/osx_vista.htm.) The last two paragraphs speak volumes about what computer users should really care about and how Vista measures up. Productivity really is higher with a Mac! It's refreshing to hear someone identify what Vista is: another catch-up attempt.

J. Rouleau Boeing Seattle

Hold Back Big Bucks
I read the article "Is Exec Pay Excessive? Don't Snap To Judgment," and I agree with some of the points (Jan. 15). However, I don't believe executives should get all the money, shares, etc., up front, because this just causes them to look at things from a short-term view. I propose that we give them only a percentage of these benefits each year for seven to 10 years, which would encourage them to worry more about the long-term growth of the company. If there's a loss for a year, a restatement, fraud, material Sarbanes-Oxley issues, they do not make certain goals, or they can't play well with others, they wouldn't get their percentage for that year. In fact, if they really foul up or are found guilty in a court of law, then all the money, shares, etc. could be forfeited to stockholders.

Steve Wilson
Company name withheld by request
Houston

Correction
In "IBM's Idea Factory," the list of 2006 patent recipients was compiled by IFI Patent Intelligence (Jan. 15).