Gates dodges the big issue

Bill Gates took the opportunity afforded to him by a prestigious keynote slot at the Networld+Interop show in Las Vegas to say - nothing much of interest.

He sidestepped the DoJ issue altogether, unless you count a parody he and Steve Ballmer conducted of Austin Powers (Ballmer played Dr Evil).

Instead, he simply restated his belief that Microsoft will be at the centre of future Internet development, despite the break-up threat hanging over the company.

Gates painted a picture of a unified Microsoft, supplying services, applications and operating systems.

He's unlikely to get his wish. The company presented its own ideas about a possible way forward to the DoJ this week, a plan of action less destructive for Microsoft than the original remedies suggested two weeks ago, and, it hopes, one which is still acceptable to all concerned.

But hope is about all Microsoft has left. Its latest public pronouncements have done nothing to aid its cause. Not only did Gates' Networld+Interop speechwriters miss a golden opportunity to undercut the allegations of arrogance Microsoft constantly faces, the company's reaction to the Love Bug debacle also proved it thinks itself beyond reproach.

It's simply ludicrous for Gates to spoof a Hollywood movie when he could have tried to make some serious points in defence of what could be a crumbling empire. It's irresponsible for Microsoft to deny responsibility for, and refuse to comment on, a virus which only affects users of its software.

Microsoft has played a crucial role in making this industry one of the most dynamic in the world. Its products have opened up IT to thousands.

But if it continues to behave like this, it'll lose what remains of its already dwindling support.