Stories about: Xtime

Historically, Macs and small business aren't often associated with each other. Yet smaller firms seem to be one of the markets Apple is targeting with Mac OS X Leopard Server. Leopard Server's new Server Preferences interface is designed primarily for small businesses, which often need some of the features of a server but don't have the budget for dedicated hardware or an IT specialist. Apple has also been targeting small businesses with a special section of its Web site and with special events in its retail stores to educate users and business owners about how Mac OS X can be used.

Remember the service economy? Every once in a while you have an opportunity to interact with it: getting a haircut, an oil change or a spinal realignment, taking the dog to the groomer, visiting a financial adviser, summoning a plumber.

Normally I'm a pretty upbeat kind of gal, but this week I'm feeling rather grouchy. I've been trying for the past six days to contact my broadband service provider and schedule an appointment.

Keeping that in mind, the Demo 2000 show last week in Palm Springs, Calif., still provided an impressive parade of 81 fledgling companies . . . including a handful that had better keep fresh resumes handy. Here's a taste of the good and the bad:

A new breed of technology suppliers is feeding off the proliferation of dot-com startups.

A new breed of technology suppliers are feeding off the proliferation of dot-com startups.

It's Saturday night at the Black Cat, one of San Francisco's trendiest restaurants. Just ahead of me in line, the intimidating host - dressed in heavy makeup and cowboy hat - relegates a couple without a reservation to an hour's wait at the crammed bar.