If you wanted to be absolutely overwhelmed, this would be the place. There were more than 500 exhibitors--large and small--offering their wares.

Two things really impressed me. Nearly all the vendor personnel were under 35, wtih no pretenses that I could detect. There I was, posing a technical question to Julia Blumin, one of the AUTHORS of Eudora (the e-mail program). She was working the booth with all the other "little people." How refreshing!

In older industries, none of the "important" people want to trouble themselves by working the trade shows. And, maybe that's why so many of these trade shows are dying. With all the downsizing and increased travel expenses, why go to a trade show if no one will be there to take care of you-- beyond the giveaway candy, pens, and chance to win a three years out-of-date laptop computer?

Every booth featured highly informed and informative young people. This show honestly restored my faith in America's youth.

But, this wouldn't be a Mike's Comment Of The Week without a few wry remarks, right?? So, here we go....

The afternoon keynote speaker on opening day was Dr. Gilbert Amelio, Chairman/CEO of Apple Computer. Cool, huh? The head of the incredible shrinking computer company is going to give us the word. I stayed away. Many people did.

America Online (AOL) had a huge booth. Maybe they should have stayed home, and spent the money on more modems.

Earthlink was there, too. No word on whether you could get a Scientology "audit" at the booth. Oh, you didn't know that they were owned by Scientology? Don't feel bad. Some of their EMPLOYEES don't, either.

As a trade show veteran, I've learned to travel light, as you traverse the booths. There were WAY too many attendees carrying around laptop computers, big briefcases, and cumbersome cellular phones. Were they doing this just for appearances?? Ironically, dozens of workstations were provided by show management, for checking e-mail, and other necessary tasks. That's OK. They're young, and they'll learn.

I met a friend at the show, and suggested that we visit the Silicon Graphics booth. Silicon Graphics manufactures ultra high-end "visual" computer systems. He was surfing the net on one of their systems, and remarked that a particular site "looked good." I told him that if your site didn't look good on THAT system, it might be time to start over!!

Ah, the march of technology. As Sonny Bono once said--the beat goes on.