NOTES FROM THE FIELD: Microsoft Tahoe needs service pack; AltaVista's customers need service.(Industry Trend or Event)(Brief Article)

RANDI IS predicting that I will have a much less stressful year in 2001. You see, among all the gadgets and garments I received from well- wishing family members and friends this holiday, my girlfriend bought me an aromatherapy kit.

"It is going to change your whole attitude toward everything, Bobby," she said. "I can think of lots of people who could really benefit from aromatherapy."

Among those on Randi's list are Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, any CEO of a dot-com-gone-bust company, and all of my editors at InfoWorld.

Those readers who sent in their crystal ball predictions for 2001 seem to agree that Bill Gates will need some kind of positive …