I think the rest of his response should be posted, just to be fair to Mr. Gates...
Which is why I provided the link to the rest of the article, to be fair to him. But nothing in the rest counters his statement that IE security flaws are purely the fault of downloaded software. The jpg flaw that was just found for example hardly counts as a program.
Ever been present when someone on broadband tries to connect a virgin installation of XP to Microsoft and is infected before Microsoft update has finished its analysis? I have. How is that not a security problem with IE and Windows? Which of course reveals the deception in the statement by Gates. No non Microsoft software was on the system so how can anyone other than the lack of security in Windows and IE be to blame?
Personally, I look up to him...at least currently.
Addendum: Though I despise some of the things that he and OTHERS have done in MS especially in regards to Windows and the Win OS.
I don't see much to respect. Gates has the stock clout to make those others behave and does not do so. Instead he makes false and misleading statements in interviews like the one I quoted.
The company routinely spreads lies about Linux for example (the viral nature for one thing), has repeatedly sponsored "studies" that closely resemble the nature of the "studies" done for the tobacco industry
proving tobacco doesn't cause lung cancer.
During the anti-trust case they went on and on about the freedom to innovate. What software innovation has Microsoft ever created? They copy or buy others work, they don't create things that are new.
I don't give respect to liars and decivers.
I'll give respect to Paul Allen, Steve Wozniak, Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, Mitch Kapor and others who give rather than take.
Paul Allen - Co Founder of Microsoft, donates to SETI and funded Spaceship One.
Steve Wozniak - Co Founder of Apple and the technical mind behind the Apple 1 and 2 argurably the single most important person in micro computers history. Among other things he likes to throw free concerts with his wealth.
Linus Torvalds - Initiator of Linux. He demonstrates the prinicple of enlightened self interest. He wanted an affordable unix like operating system and created its core. He then gave that core away freely and has had a million fold returned to him. By giving he has recieved fame and fortune.
Richard Stallman - Some will say Stallman is obnoxious and be right. But he is obnoxious because he has passionate beliefs in what is right and does not allow PC speech to stop him from saying what he feels must be said. Rather like Mentat here on the forums. Stallman created the tools that allowed Linux to exist. The GPL is his creation.. Torvalds stands on the shoulder of this obnoxious giant. Many
companies use his creations to earn large profits. Stallman has dedicated his life to the ideal of free software. He created the
Free Software Foundation. EMACs and GCC are two of the things he created (others have added to them since because his GPL allows it).
Mitch Kapor - Founded Lotus and created Lotus 123. Then took his wealth and founded the
Electronic Frontier Foundation to protect others
What has Gates done with his fortune? Some will point to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. I would agree except for one thing, Gates still controls the money and the Foundation. The Foundation is just another tool for Gates to use for his personal profit and power.