Network World Fusion, 3/11/98
Los Angeles - Hewlett-Packard Co. Chairman and CEO Lewis Platt struck a somber note at Spring Internet World 98 here when he told attendees of his keynote that the Internet has the potential to harm our society.
"As the Internet becomes more pervasive and commercial, it could make our society worse rather than better," Platt said. "Unlike the pundits that got to predict the future of the Internet, we have to create [that future]. We have to drive the 'Net in the right direction."
Platt said technology leaders must do this by focusing on network management and measurement as well as security advancements.
"Security issues will be solved more easily than net management because security obstacles is the only thing standing in the way of enormous profits" to be gained from selling overseas, Platt said.
But HP was short on announcements of exactly how to do that. Unveiling only its plans to unify its corporate message under the banner the Electronic World, HP pointed to earlier product plans.
As part of the Electronic World, HP will focus on four areas:
HP also announced it will be the Internet host of the World Cup Soccer games in France this year. Katey Kennedy, sports director for HP's involvement in the event, said the World Cup will allow HP to use all aspects of its product lines, from its Internet Domain Server to defibrillators.
"HP is providing a comprehensive management system and network management system for the event," she said.
HP is expecting more than 1 billion hits over 33 days, almost double the 600 million IBM received for its Olympics Web coverage, Kennedy said.
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