[sneakypete]

That's not the way it was explained on the PBS show about Gates,Jacobs,and the rest of the software and computer pioneers.

[PatrioticAmerican]

PBS? They get most things wrong. I saw their crap, and they squarely gave credit to IBM buying DOS to Gate’s mother. The facts of the time do not suggest her involvement whatsoever. As a matter of fact, there are no known monies or political help from his father or mother, both Seattle socialites of the time. Microsoft made good money in its early days and needed no help. While the whole industry was in disarray in the 1970’s, Microsoft had a national reputation and was known for excellent work. Bill Gates personally coded the famous 4k BASIC, a feat that made his personal reputation.

IBM didn’t need any suggestions from Bill’s mother to talk to Microsoft, as Microsoft was IBM’s first choice due to Microsoft’s public reputation as a leader in microcomputer software.

CPM was eventually produced for the IBM, but long after Gates produced DOS, and it was produced as an aftermarket product.

If Digital Research would not have blown off, and pissed off, IBM, Microsoft would not have produced DOS.

At the time, Microsoft was actually producing XENIX, an AT&T UNIX product. During the early 80's, many people at Microsoft wanted to focus on the UNIX market.

Imagine the world today if that had happened. CPM was good, but its useful life, like DOS, was limited. UNIX has an indefinite useful life. We also most likely would not have seen Windows NT, lawsuits from Apple, Linux, etc.

Microsoft would no doubt still be big, and who knows how big. Imagine if they could have concentrated on things other than DOS, which REALLY held them back, IMHO.