Soaping Windows ’97

It’s tough being Bill Gates. Especially on the World Wide Web, where hundreds of disgruntled folks post nasty things about America’s richest man.

Michael Johnson of San Clemente has his “I Hate Bill” humor page, which hosts a list of puns and jokes mocking Mr. Microsoft.

There’s Emily Ross, a part-time UC Irvine student. Her home page is devoted to reasons why Gates resembles Darth Vader, and Microsoft could be the Evil Empire.

Then there’s the Society for the Prevention of Gates Getting Everything, or SPOGGE, a tongue-in-cheek spot for people who love to grumble about Mr. Bill.

Developed by multimedia producer Bob Lawrence of San Diego, the site was launched only days before the Justice Department announced its plan to fine Microsoft up to $1 million a day for alleged attempts to monopolize Internet access.

Poking fun at Gates and his Redmond, Wash.-based empire, Lawrence uses the site to talk about the latest Microsoft rumblings and hawk his SPOGGE merchandise.

Microsoft officials declined to comment on the Web site.

Fellow anti-Gates groupies can support the society by grabbing a SPOGGE T-shirt for $15, or pick up the cheaper mug, bumper sticker or “rodent” pads. “They’re nastier than mouse pads, just a little more crabby,” Lawrence said.

While people enjoy the site’s campy tone, Lawrence hopes the group can quietly make a serious impact on young tech-heads: 50 cents from each merchandise sale will go to nonprofit efforts to help boost computer education in Southern California schools.

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P.J. Huffstutter covers high technology for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7830 and at p.j.huffstutter@latimes.com