Yes, Microsoft and Gates should be appreciated for progress in personal computing.

I dont think so, if you look at the timeline, Apple got there first, Apple was the first real inovator, the first to use a GUI, the first use a Mouse, first to use a color screen, the first PDA, Voice recognition software, first hand writing recognition software, where was MS? ripping Apple off! 3.1 and Windows 95 were obvious rip off's of the mac os, if Apple wasnt hurting so bad at the time they could have followed through with the lawsuit and there would be no windows. if any credit is due to anyone for the current state of computers its Apple, I mean look at MacOS X beautiful, and the designs of their computers, awsome, they took computing and turned it into an art.

MS was there when apple decided to keep thier systems closed, as in proprietary and Xerox created the first gui and mouse, not apple. But you do make good points, most of the credit that MS has gotten really should go to steve jobs and apple but unfortunatly the courts didnt see it apples way.

i didnt say they created i said used, bill and his boys had a shot at the gui and mouse, but as i recall bill asked "who would use something called a mouse?"

Sorry, I stand corrected. I remember a show a long time ago that actually acknowledged the fact that xerox came up with the mouse and the gui and they had video of the first one being used but I cant remember what the show was called.

I love Microsoft until now, even if I am using 3 linux boxes at the office.

One big contribution of Microsoft is teaching the old-dogs with new-tricks. It made computing easier specially to the old folks! And until now they still do. A good example is the Word Processor WORDSTAR and WORDPERFECT. Microsoft has seen the potential and importance of such program and thus they made MS-Office. Which I find very convinient and easy to use.

But what I don't really like is the licensing, annual reg's and other cost.

About Viruses:
Actually, MS can eliminate or minimize Virus infection on their system. Though they choose not to. But think of this. If Automobiles can run on water, what will happen to Oil Producing Countries.

About GAMES:
Two thumbs up for MS Games.

Lastly. In our present situation. I think Linux will not survive without MS. (eg. AutoCAD software can't run on Linux). Is there a software in Linux that can produce custom-made-applications like Visual Basic and Crystal Reports?!?

Are you referring to "Pirates of Silicon Vally"? That was a good mini series and should be required viewing for any CS or CompE major.

yea i bought the book apple confidential 2.0 and it details the experience apple whent through to become the company they are today, the worst part is that xerox didnt patent any of it was just giving it way not knowing what to do with it, well maybe its the best cuz if they would have patent it maybe we wouldnt be where we are now, ahh, the joys of open source

I just hate M$ myself. Don't get me started.

Later

It's Sad to say but M$ still rules! I wonder..... Why is it that M$-APPS have linux emulators, but Linux APPS don't have M$ Emulators?!?

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They would crash, just like windoze.

And I'm sad to say that's is a wrong comparison . First, it's because of a huge demand: Peoples have invested too much money in applications and games for Windows, to simply trow it away and use open source. A few. however, are just scared to learn a new equivalent open-source application. That's why there're a bigger need for Windows emulators under Linux. Second: Actually, there are many Emulators to run Linux applications in Windows:

http://www.cygwin.com/

http://line.sourceforge.net/

http://librenix.com/?inode=634

About Apple... I really am happy that MS dominates the market. If it was Apple dominating, we'd be paying 5.000 bucks for a crappy (price for their first box) and nearly non-upgradable machine...

That is my problem with Macs too. I prefer Linux over Macs but they are stable compared to windoze.

M$ is on the bottom of the stack, right next to stepping in dog poop.

Later

lol I agree. If MS is scaring and took our freedom of choice for an OS, Apple did not only that, but also took our choice of hardware... which one scares you the most?

No on can deny that Micrsoft are good at there job, writing software, i think that what most people disagree with is the way that they market all there goods.
As a company they are all shrewd bullies, that push to much, which is a shame because like i said they are good at what they do most of the time, but, they have become greedy and lazy (like what was said already) and there technologies are more about seeing how much money they can make, and how many people they can sue (ha! almost like sco!) over the fact that the technology is ground breaking or whatever.

As far as the whole XboX thing is concerned, well its a fantastic console, but because its nothing more than a closed up sideways pc, it doesnt have the appeal or diversity of a normal computer or one of the more popular consoles such as the Playstations.