Intel's Otellini says Ray Lane good president for Compaq

Senior Intel VP Paul Otellini came to London yesterday and saw us reading a newspaper called Shannon knows Compaq. He obviously had seen the newsletter before. He said: "Who is going to be the new CEO of Compaq?" We said: "Maybe Ray Lane but we don't think so, because he's earning enough already." Otellini was in a bad mood. He said: "Why shouldn't Ray Lane get the job?" We said: "Well Ray Lane earns enough already, doesn't he?" Otellini said: "That isn't the point. It's a challenge." We said: "Don't you want the job?" He said: "No, I don’t like Houston." This was all before the press conference. We were just chatting to each other, like you do, while waiting for a cold $30 (£17.95 + £5 per orange juice) power breakfast. Meanwhile, Compaq lawyers have insisted that Shannon use the standfirst "Not authorized by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Compaq Computer Corporation". Shannon refused to talk to us about the legal issue but it does beg the question why IBM doesn't get shirty when magazines call themselves IBM Today, or DEC User. Doesn't it? ®