The fact that there's a shakeout in the first generation of companies associated with it [the Internet] clouds the issue, but it is a tremendous productivity booster, ... The leading companies will benefit long-term.

The fact that there's a shakeout in the first generation of companies associated with it [the Internet] clouds the issue, but it is a tremendous productivity booster. The leading companies will benefit long-term.

The Internet as a tool means all the leading retailers are going to be on the Internet in the next couple of years. The pure selling concept over the Internet has proven not to work and the pure plays are gong to be surpassed by traditional retailers.

Investor sentiment is important, but not nearly as much as basic company growth. While the vast majority of the first-generation Internet companies may not survive, the leaders ? those with first mover advantage and no small measure of luck ? will survive and will take the Internet to its second, more mature phase of development.

A significant Nasdaq rally will be difficult. Those who were burned in the dive will see a $5 stock go up to $9 and then get out. Today's tough investing environment is in some ways distinct from what is actually happening in the economy.

Now that the ranks of the alternative low-cost or free ISPs are being rapidly thinned, the remaining service providers run less risk of losing customers.