Netscape Communications Corp chief executive, Jim Barksdale has apparently decided to take it easier now that his company has officially been absorbed by America Online Inc. Speaking at a Gartner Group conference in San Diego late Monday, Barksdale said he won’t be in active management ever again. This ended speculation that he might be lured into another CEO post somewhere – with some having speculated that he might even take over at Hewlett-Packard Co after the impending departure of Lew Platt. Barksdale himself wouldn’t comment on whether HP had approached him about the possibility. Instead, Barksdale plans to serve on various boards, including AOL’s, and dabble in investments.
