As much as I begrudge the asking price for a copy of Windows these days (XP costs almost double what 98/ME cost here in England), I have to marvel at what Bill Gates has built.

The competition are almost nowhere. All the software you might want is usually written for Windows first and foremost.

The guy who used to fix my car is an avid Mac user, but even he was forced, begrudgingly, the buy a PC, because a piece of software he really needed for his business was only available for Windows.

How much of a choice do we have... Windows or Mac... and he could buy out Mac if he wanted... he could buy anything he ever wanted and despite wat some people say, if you have money, you get what u wat... just my opioin.

I like Bill Gates for taking computing out of the lab and into the wide open world. Fair play that he's made money out of it, so would everyone else love to be in his position. Anyone who thinks Microsoft is a money grabbing monster should think twice next time they buy an iPod.

Bill Gates was a great thing for the computer industry. Though I do dislike the high prices of even an upgrade to XP (200 for a os only for computers that already had one) he always thought strategy. Sure he skrewed some people over by taking their unregistered software but hey it was their own fault. His most genius move was with his Ibm contract where he left the loop hole for distributing dos and everything with all other computer makers. Pissed the hell out of big blue but that made him soar. He is a great mind but he doesn't really have control of the prices for the software anymore Im sure he would lower them a bit if he could. Fact is the rest of the board sees that people are dependent on Microsoft and they can charge what ever they want and people will still buy.

well look, thier is many dumb offenses against Bill Gates, from the media, just because PEOPLE ARE JEALOUS he is making alot alot of money and your not. this is clearly the issue, no one knows Bill Gates good enought to judge him.

NorthWeb Mike wrote:

rippinchikkin wrote: NorthWeb Mike wrote: I don't feel anything for the man. He is just another person to me. I don't sleep at night thinking about him or dream of having his riches. Well I dream at night but its certianly not about him, think Sports Illustrated swim suit issue.......... Bubba if your dreaming about bill gates, you got some other issues........ but thats probably a whole new thread you do know Im only kidding... about your issues, not the swimsuits I do dream about swimsuits.

Why dream about swimsuits when you can dream about the women wearing them?

::cough::

Anyway, Mr. Gates... when I think of him I just find an extreme desire for loads of cash, then realize that he actually earned it and I don't want to do that whole bit with the working, admonish myself, and then forget about him 'till someone brings him up again.

I admit that he has flaws, but everyone does. I personally think that a reason many don't like him is because he is a little too powerful and rich. You have to admire the man that took something Xerox wouldn't even continue funding and turn it into the the goldmine that it is.

Anyway, as another business professional to another, I think he is a very good at his job, his moral ethics as far as forced activation and overpricing are a little "iffy" but you can't mix business with personal emotions.

Of course, if I had written this post on a day when Windows crashed, this would be completely different.