For this month's column, I had originally planned to write about the emerging market for storage network processors. However, as this-my 48th column-may be my last, I would like to reflect with a critical eye on the many topics I have covered over the last four years.

Back in late 2000 and early 2001, my columns were heavily focused on high-speed communications and optical networking. In what was probably my worst prediction of all time, my very first piece urged readers to fear not, the sky was not falling on the communications semiconductor market. I cringe when I read that but also remember it fondly, since it reminds me to this day to always be rigorous in my analysis and to stay true to my engineering roots.

For the few bad predictions I made, I like to think that I made some really good ones along the way as well. For example, I postulated in late 2000 that large, vertically oriented optical component manufacturers would be the survivors of overinvestment; a painful process for many startups but a correct call in the end. Separately, based on overinvestment, I also called the impending crash in markets such as serial interconnect and security ICs. Another good one was my prediction that Gigabit Ethernet technology would start to make it to the desktop by early 2003.

Perhaps my most contentious position was my rather reserved (some would say negative) view of Infiniband. I distinctly recall representatives of several large public companies calling me to express their anger. A couple of months later, these companies acknowledged I was right by exiting the market. These days, Infiniband survives as a profitable niche clustering technology served by a smaller set of suppliers.

In late 2003, I was very focused on delving into new technology being developed by startups. The companies I profiled included Fulcrum Microsystems, XtremeSprectrum, Anadigm, Peregrine Semiconductor, Mellanox, Zyray Wireless, Authentec, TiGi and ZettaCore. It is fun to look back and see who flamed out, who was acquired, and who is still going strong.

If you have reacted to my columns over the years-either positively or negatively-then please feel free to drop me an e-mail with your thoughts until we meet again.