Letter: Nemesis for Gates

Michael Gilbert
Friday 12 November 1999 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Your leading article "To tame the Microsofts of the future" (8 November) omits perhaps the most important aspect of Microsoft's period of domination.

Before Microsoft, the plethora of operating systems made it well-nigh impossible to move programs from one make of computer to another. As a result software was from 10 to 100 times more expensive.

Whether or not Microsoft has stepped over the mark, it deserves some credit for having done more good than harm. Today no one asks if the program they are buying will work on their make of computer. This could not have been achieved without some degree of monopoly.

MICHAEL GILBERT

Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in