They do more than play with it. I think they are the second-largest computer market in the world, the largest cellphone market in the world. So they are doing much more than play with it.

• No, but they do keep playing with the Internet, Internet freedom at least.

Well, they try to. But the Internet continues to grow by leaps and bounds in China. It is not being stymied by the government.

• Right. You see Latin America and the Middle East as your emerging markets. Do you travel a lot in those regions?

Yes. The emerging markets are the fastest-growing markets for computer technology.

• But the interesting thing is that these are also the societies and countries where there is growing anti-Americanism post-9/11. Have you much explaining to do?

I do not have any issue with any anti-Americanism. I think people look at technology as a requirement for the future and they don't see technology as being American per se. They see technology as being necessary.

• But when you go as a big iconic American CEO, questions are raised. Has 9/11 changed your life a little bit? Have you had to answer some more questions?

The biggest way 9/11 has changed my life is in fact what happens at airports, the security checks. And it has changed American life to some degree because of immigration restrictions that make it more difficult for young people to come to America. One of the strengths of our country has been that it was a Mecca for people to come and get the best education possible. When we make it difficult for people to come, we suffer as a country, and I think some of the young people around the world suffer.

... contd.