Silicon Valley's Power Players: Oracle, Intel, and AOL's Latest Developments

In the latest push for industry dominance, Oracle Corporation's Larry Ellison has intensified his efforts to challenge Microsoft's stronghold by adding Dell to its list of distributors for the Raw Iron server package. Meanwhile, Intel prepares to unveil its foray into the toy industry with the Intel Play Line, featuring innovative PC-enhanced toys such as the Play X3 Microscope and the Me2Cam video camera. Elsewhere, AOL's Lucille Nordgren has found herself unwittingly involved in a hacker's malicious scheme, dispatching X-rated documents to thousands of subscribers.

Key Takeaways:

• Oracle Corporation's Larry Ellison has added Dell to the list of companies distributing its Raw Iron server package, intensifying its challenge to Microsoft's dominance.
• The Raw Iron server package includes a load-and-go bundle of database software and cheap PC server hardware with a cutdown operating system from Sun that sidesteps any use of Microsoft software.
• Intel is set to unveil its Intel Play Line of PC-enhanced toys, featuring innovative products such as the Play X3 Microscope and the Me2Cam video camera.
• Compaq is close to offering Raw Iron, indicating wavering faith in Microsoft's bulky Windows 2000 operating system.
• AOL's Lucille Nordgren was the victim of a hacker's malicious scheme, which dispatched X-rated documents to 22,000 AOL subscribers.
• Nordgren has struggled to field responses from the 500 angry subscribers, including children and clergy.
• Broadcast.com's servers were overwhelmed by an estimated 1.5 million users attempting to stream live video of Victoria's Secret's cyber-fashion show, three times the number the video broadcaster could handle.

Statistics:

• 1.5 million people attempted to stream live video of Victoria's Secret's cyber-fashion show during the American Super Bowl.
• Broadcast.com's servers handled 666,666.67 viewers per second (1.5 million / (3 x 60 seconds per minute)).
• 500 angry responses were sent to Lucille Nordgren from AOL subscribers.
• 22,000 AOL subscribers received X-rated documents from the hacker.

Sources:

• The Times, 1999
• Computer Business Review