would have to be simply that Bill caught on to a good idea, latched on to the publics interest and money and since he did it first his bacame the most popular. Once the money started pouring in he had unlimited resources to build the empire it is today.
despite all the anger and resentment people have built up against old bill over his successes and failures w/different OS's, people with these problems over bill really need to thank him cuz they probably wouldn't have the knowledge of computers and programming as it is today without his contribution to the computer world.
whew, that one was long winded, forgive me. No, I am not pro or con Bill Gates/Microsoft. I just accept and appreciate what Bill/MS has, doesn't mean I like some of whats been put out and God knows I am super green with jealousy over his money and wealth
--Jak