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I would like to believe a computer software company can thrive by providing the "innovative, user-friendly technologies" that Bill Gates claims are responsible for the popularity of Windows [TECHNOLOGY, May 15]. Unfortunately Microsoft products prove that this is not the case. People who feel that Windows or the Office suite qualifies for this kind of acclaim have not had the opportunity to use the superior alternatives that have been all but squeezed out by the "critical mass" of the Windows product. The reality, for all of Bill's bleating, is that it is difficult for people to choose or use a non-Microsoft product--not because Microsoft products are the best, but simply because of their ubiquity. ANDY MCMULLON Lincoln, England
Bill Gates says that Microsoft would not have been able to create Windows if it hadn't been able to make Office. He's absolutely right. Without bundling Windows with an applications suite, Microsoft would never have been able to sell such an unstable and unintuitive system. The only Microsoft innovations that I am aware of are "bloatware." When I want a user-friendly interface, I use a Mac; when I want a stable, flexible system with enormous power, I use Linux; and when I want to be reminded of just how good these other two systems are, I boot up my Windows machine. TIMO HANNAY Tokyo
I do not understand why the government is trying to take Bill Gates' rights away. He has the right to protect his ideas from the competition. There is a danger in having a monopoly in this business, but it is unfair to split up Microsoft. Just because there is competition does not mean that you give away the formula for your success. MICHAEL SCHMID Berlin
Most people can't understand the insidiousness of Microsoft's "embrace, extend and extinguish" policy when applied to real innovations like Sun's Java, but every mouse clicker has tried to zap the Office Assistant in the Office suite. Such "functionality" is what makes Microsoftware hog all your hard-disk space, so that you need a new PC every six months. The one-size-fits-all approach is like making a car that is also a boat and that rides like a helicopter. Trying to fly will result in short hops and frequent crashes! Microsoft is the big bully in the playground kicking over everybody else's board games. HENRY ISI ODIASE London
The Value of Tony
Your story about the Gore campaign's chairman, Tony Coelho, "The Trouble with Tony" [NATION, May 15], did not accurately reflect the value he has afforded the Vice President and the campaign. It also painted a misleading picture of his relationship with all of us at the D.N.C. As I painstakingly reported to one of your writers, we believe Tony is a tremendous asset to our joint goal of making the best Vice President in America's history our next President. Tony's no-nonsense approach has helped focus and motivate us to achieve our goals. The troops here at the D.N.C. have a solid working relationship with and enormous respect for Tony. EDWARD G. RENDELL General Chairman Democratic National Committee Washington
Better Be a Cruciverbalist