LAPTOP INDUSTRY QUAKING.

The New York Times reported that due to the massive damage caused by earthquake in Kobe, Japan, production of color screens for notebook computers may be in jeopardy, causing an industry-wide inventory shortage in the coming months. Nearly, all active-matrix displays are produced in the Kobe area; Fujitsu, Matsushita, Sanyo, Sharp, and Display Technology Inc. temporarily halted production due to plant damage since pristine conditions must exist in order to produce these screens. Heavily damaged ports are clogged, Japanese officials say, and predict at least four months and billions of dollars standing in the way of resumption of normal shipping schedules.