> Excel, for example, is one of the single best pieces of software I've ever used. Let's consider Excel. It's a spreadsheet. Spreadsheets were invented by Dan

> Excel, for example, is one of the single best pieces of software I've ever used. Let's consider Excel. It's a spreadsheet. Spreadsheets were invented by Dan Bricklin, and since VisiCalc, many have been written. It's therefore clear that without Bill Gates, spreadsheets would still exist -- no doubt you'd be describing another one as the best software you're ever used. > What I don't like is the knee-jerk reaction that anything he or Microsoft does is evil, and anything that Apple/Google/etc. does is good. Well don't complain about it to me, I'm not asserting either of these! > We can still learn from him as a businessman Indeed so. The way he pulled the wool over IBM's eyes and stole control of the desktop from under their noses was masterpiece of business strategy.