William Gates II- how we say?

[tasdibek]

Hello,

William Gates II- how we say? "Gates two or Gates second or a third option?

Thx

[Tdol]

I'd use 'the second'

[tasdibek]

thx

[BobK]

Originally Posted by tasdibek

Hello,
William Gates II- how we say? "Gates two or Gates second or a third option?
Thx

Though I agree with Tdol, in this case I prefer "devil's spawn".

b

[Shad]

Originally Posted by BobK

Though I agree with Tdol, in this case I prefer "devil's spawn".

b

HEY BOB
What meant by "DEVIL'S SPAWN"
REGARDS'

[Ouisch]

Originally Posted by BobK

Though I agree with Tdol, in this case I prefer "devil's spawn".
b

Perhaps I'm naive, but why the hate for Bill Gates? To my mind, he was a young man who saw a need and a potential market, and used it to his advantage, just like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, or even Henry Ford or Thomas Edison. They were all in on the ground floor of an up and coming trend, and made their fortunes as a result. Is that wrong?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

Perhaps I'm naive, but why the hate for Bill Gates? To my mind, he was a young man who saw a need and a potential market, and used it to his advantage, just like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, or even Henry Ford or Thomas Edison. They were all in on the ground floor of an up and coming trend, and made their fortunes as a result. Is that wrong?

I agree with you.

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by Shad

HEY BOB
What meant by "DEVIL'S SPAWN"
REGARDS'

It's an expression meaning a child of the devil- many people feel strongly about Bill Gates and Microsoft, both in favour and against.

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

Perhaps I'm naive, but why the hate for Bill Gates? To my mind, he was a young man who saw a need and a potential market, and used it to his advantage, just like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, or even Henry Ford or Thomas Edison. They were all in on the ground floor of an up and coming trend, and made their fortunes as a result. Is that wrong?

I'm not a paid-up member of the Kill Bill school, but some of their practices have been a bit worrying. They have been locked into a fight with the European Courts over various issues, but mostly about attempts at anti-competitive practices. For instance, the latest row was about Vista, which planned to have security access to certain areas set so that security products like Macafee and Norton wouldn't be able work, if I unserstand it correctly. This might mean that Vista is more secure than previous operating systems, but it does also have the effect of creating a security monopoly for Microsoft, and they have a long history of releasing products with security flaws and I would prefer to keep my security in the hands of specialists. Fortunately, they have agreed to change this to be compatible with the requirements of the courts.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

Perhaps I'm naive, but why the hate for Bill Gates?

Apart from the anti-competitive practices mentioned by Tdol, I could cite many many cases of Microsoft's arrogance and cavalier attitude to international standards - but they'd make no sense except to an audience of software developers. There are also two instances in the histories of my various IT companies when Bill Gates deliberately misled the people he was negotiating with. I could say more, but it would expose this site to legal action. Besides, it's not what UsingEnglish is about.

Having left the IT world behind me 3 years ago, I thought my hatred had mellowed. But a few weeks ago it was aroused again when I e-mailed my sister with an attachment; it worked on my PC, and on those of everyone else I sent it to, but not on hers. It got as far as firing up Word, appropriately, but she had committed the heinous crime of not continuing to line the pockets of Mr Gates so it crashed unceremonoiously. I sent her instead a JPG attachment, which - because the Joint Photographic Engineering Group aren't a money-making body, but is made up of developers who are interested in products that work for everyone - worked beautifully.

This is a tiny and nearly insignificant instance. But it was enough to surprise me by reminding me of the strength of my feelings.

Generally, I'm not a fan.

b