James M. Burke

Big news…I’m moving to North Carolina. I have accepted a position as a Software Development Engineer with Network Appliance, Inc. (Netapp). It sounds like a very exciting and challenging job, and I think I will enjoy it a lot. Nonetheless, it was a very tough decision to leave IBM. IBM is a great company, and I am really going to miss the people here. I just think that this position meets my long-term goals better. My last official day at IBM is September 30, 2005.

I’ve only been to North Carolina once, and that was a few weeks ago when I interviewed. I’m not sure what to expect, but I know it will be much different than Arizona (Really?). I suppose I’ll have to get used to the humidity, the cold weather, and possibly even hurricanes and ice storms.

I subscribe to the executive emails from Microsoft, and yesterday, Steve Ballmer sent out a note regarding their vision and strategy for midsize companies:

Midsize companies face many of the same demands as large corporations. Globalization has opened up new market opportunities, and to take advantage of them it is essential for businesses to maximize efficiency and collaborate with partners and suppliers around the world. Business success increasingly comes from delivering more personalized, just-in-time service to customers. The regulatory environment requires greater attention to compliance and record-keeping. Yet companies with less than 1,000 employees often struggle to find the resources to tackle these challenges.

Read More: Executive E-Mail: Current Edition

Apple Computer, Inc. today announced a few very interesting products. First of all, the iPod nano. This tiny device is about a quarter of an inch (0.27″) thick and weighs only 1.5 ounces! AND the device can hold almost 1,000 songs with a color display. Truly amazing! The next product is the new iTunes 5. The new iTunes 5 has a “Streamlined look-and-feel, new Search Bar, and Smart Shuffle” among other nice features.

Hurricane 2005 Relief and other Related Events:
Victims of Hurricane Katrina are attempting to recover from the massive storm that is still making its way across the Mid-Atlantic States. American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina’s destruction, supplying hundreds of thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial gift to Hurricane 2005 Relief, the Red Cross can provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

The victims of Hurricane Katrina need your help…you know what to do:

Donate at the American Red Cross