2001: How was it for you?

It was the year of tumbling telecoms, departing CEOs and something called Ginger. It was the year Windows XP hit the streets and the HP made eyes at Compaq. Plus, 2001 also marked the first full-year living outside the bubble for the world's surviving dot-coms.

But how was it for you?

Over the Christmas period silicon.com will be taking a look back at the issues, the stories and the personalities that shaped 2001.

Below you'll find our take on the year so far and as the month progresses expect features on some of the key issues of the last 12 months including broadband, security, open source and - that old chestnut - paying for web content. Expect analyses on the key players such as Cisco, Microsoft, Nortel and, of course, BT.

Finally we want to hear from you. What were the key events in your IT year? And if you had to nominate your heroes and villains of 2001, who would they be? Get involved by posting a 'Reader Comment' below or sending your emails to editorial@silicon.com

To relive 2001,