The board of directors of Hewlett-Packard Company announced earlier this week that Carleton S. Fiorina has stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Robert P. Wayman, HP's chief financial officer, has been named chief executive officer on an interim basis and appointed to the board of directors. Patricia C. Dunn, an HP director since 1998, has been named non-executive chairman of the board, also effective immediately.

With Ms Fiorina leaving HP, an era in the IT industry comes to the end. The main questions analysts, observers and executives ask themselves is what is next to happen to HP and who is the next chief of the Silicon Valley legend.

• Newsfactor: Hewlett-Packard Diversification, Post Fiorina.
• MarketWatch: HP Breakup Coming This Year.
• BusinessWeek Online: Can Anyone Save HP?
• Associated Press: With New CEO, HP May Face Major Shift.
• CNET News.com: Who Will Lead HP Now? Experts Offer Their Picks.
• Investor's Business Daily: Will HP Executive Search Lead It Back to Capellas?
• BusinessWeek Online: The Inside Story of Carly's Ouster.
• MarketWatch: New CEO at HP faces stiff challenges.
• The Street.com: Lessons of Carly Fiorina's Fall.
• BusinessWeek Online: Where Fiorina Went Wrong.
• Associated Press: Wayman Replaces Fiorina at Hewlett-Packard.