Ibm's Unruly Kids

How quickly things change in the technology business. A decade ago, IBM was the awesome and undisputed king of the computer trade, universally feared and | respected. A decade ago, two little companies called Intel and Microsoft were mere blips on the radar screen of the industry, upstart start-ups that had signed on to make the chips and software for IBM's new line of personal computers. Though their products soon became industry standards, the two companies remained protected children of the market leader.

What has happened since is a startling reversal of fortune. IBM is being ravaged by the worst crisis...