What's more likely: You find reliable Wi-Fi at a conference or the real Kim Kardashian follows you on Twitter? We break down the odds of your everyday tech life, from the long shots to the sure bets. Wi-Fi Fail at ConferencesAt an IT conference, the odds that a conference hall or hotel’s wireless network will go down: Even. (Just ask Steve Jobs about his problematic WWDC 2010 presentation.) Synergistic RelationsChances that a tech vendor CEO will say the word “synergy” when announcing a new partnership: 1 in 2. (Odds that she thinks it’ll actually save her company: 1 in 900.) An Evil Search-Engine Company?During the next 20 years, the odds that Google will actually do some evil stuff: 1 in 2. The Rich Get RicherThis year, the odds that Larry Ellison will add another billion to his net worth: 1 in 4. (That he will actually notice: 1 in 15,000.) She Ain’t Into YouChances that that’s the real “Kim Kardashian” following you on Twitter: 1 in 1,000,000. Chances that you just got a virus by following her back: Even. Enter at Your Own RiskOdds that your company’s ERP upgrade will come in on time and on budget, and all business stakeholders will be pleased with the new functionality: 1 in 757,000. (Odds that the “f” word—”fail”—will be associated with the project: 1 in 3.) Don’t Bother CallingThe odds that Apple’s public relations department will return a journalist’s call or e-mail inquiry: 1 in 622,000,000. (If you’re the New York Times’ David Pogue: 1 in 3.) Sleeping BeautiesThe odds that the PowerPoint presentation that your CFO is about to deliver will have fewer than 40 slides: 1 in 400. (Odds you’ll fall asleep during: 1 in 2.) Who Cares About Cell Phones, Anyway?Odds that Microsoft’s $500 million investment in Windows 7 mobile will topple entrenched competition: 1 in 50,000. (Chances that Microsoft execs kick themselves daily for not buying RIM a long time ago: 1 in 3.) (Really) Early RetirementA 41-year-old CIO at a Fortune 1000 suddenly “retires” while rumors swirl about a major IT meltdown. Odds that he’s actually “retiring to spend more time with family and/or on the golf course” (1 in 10,000); that he’ll ever work again in IT (1 in 3); that he’s secretly ecstatic to be free from “the grind” (Even). Lost..and Found?Odds that your lost BlackBerry/iPhone/Droid will be returned to you—unused and unharmed—by a Good Samaritan: 1 in 7. (Odds that you wish you had remembered to turn on password security: Even.) It’s Almost Beyond Description!Odds that a tech press release announcing a new product will use the terms “industry leading,” “robust solution” and/or “cloud-ready”: Even. (That anyone will read the entire release: 1 in 750,000.) Related content news Oracle bolsters distributed cloud, AI strategy with new Mexico cloud region The second cloud region in Monterrey, providing over 100 OCI services, is part of Oracle's plan to compete with AWS, Google and Microsoft, and cash in on enterprise interest in generative AI. By Anirban Ghoshal Sep 26, 2023 3 mins Generative AI Generative AI Generative AI brandpost Zero Trust: Understanding the US government’s requirements for enhanced cybersecurity By Jaye Tillson, Field CTO at HPE Aruba Networking Sep 26, 2023 4 mins Zero Trust feature SAP prepares to add Joule generative AI copilot across its apps Like Salesforce and ServiceNow, SAP is promising to embed an AI copilot throughout its applications, but planning a more gradual roll-out than some competitors. By Peter Sayer Sep 26, 2023 5 mins CIO SAP Generative AI brandpost Mitigating mayhem in a complex hybrid IT world How to build a resilient enterprise in the face of unexpected (and expected) IT mayhem moments. By Greg Lotko, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mainframe Software Division Sep 26, 2023 7 mins Hybrid Cloud Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe