"The fact is, we need a more diversified economy, and I want to provide financing, support and mentoring to the high-tech community here."

"It will help create new rules of the road for America's high-tech community."

In high-tech communities, a network address is all but a requirement for membership these days, both in America and, increasingly, abroad.

It's really a question of what the high-tech community thinks of the company's potential.

Underlying their answer was a contempt for Washington, and for government in general - a contempt that runs right through the high-tech community.

"It does show that some people in the high-tech community, including some of the founders, are not happy with what's happening."

A Congressional aide who insisted on anonymity added, "The high-tech community is going ballistic."

This struggle to contact the high-tech community can lead to some uniquely Silicon Valley moments.

Mr. Goodman makes an effort to maintain close ties with the local high-tech community.

And there are signs that the outside world is beginning to take Pittsburgh's high-tech community seriously.