In the history of corporate leadership, the Class of '01 was tested more than any previous group of chief executives in high technology.

Nearly all companies in the industry suffered devastating stock losses of a magnitude not seen since the Great Depression, forcing many into bankruptcy. Those that did survive faced still more chaos when the tragic events of Sept. 11 paralyzed the global economy.

As the first signs of recovery have slowly appeared, CNET News.com has examined the performance and strategies of CEOs at the helm of some key companies in all parts of the industry. What have emerged are the rough outlines for a post-apocalyptic map of the Internet, its technologies and the businesses behind them--often drawn from surprisingly candid assessments.

In this special series, News.com takes a comprehensive look at one of these industry bellwethers each day over the next three weeks.