"We are now being evaluated based on our trajectory, our customer-centric innovations, designs and technologies, our ecosystem of customers and partners, and finally, our progress," he wrote. "We are in control of our own destiny."

Intel Corp.'s (INTC) leader may be firing off angry memos to employees about recent missteps. But it is a much different story at rival chip maker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD). AMD Chief Executive Hector Ruiz sent an all-hands e-mail Tuesday that effusively praises the company's employees for their recent performance. While never mentioning Intel by name, the memo makes the case that AMD is no longer a technological follower of its larger rival.

July 2004