Microsoft

* Re “U.S., 20 States File Antitrust Lawsuits Against Microsoft,” May 19: It would appear that the only crime committed by Bill Gates and Microsoft is that they would not play the political game over the last 25 years or so. Until very recently Microsoft did not hire lobbyists and pour millions of dollars into political action committees. Money is the mother’s milk of politics and as such, the donor and the recipient are both well nourished. The arrangement is parasitic but virtually unavoidable.

The same people who do not want open primaries, where voters can choose any candidate of any party, will demand that a company such as Microsoft carry its competitor’s product.

Politicians respond to their donors’ pressures, demands and contributions.

HAROLD E. BOUCHER

West Hills

* Is this a mixed message? While the Department of Justice is suing Microsoft for antitrust violations, many government agencies are switching from Lotus’ suite (Lotus 123, Ami Pro, Approach, Freelance), Corel (WordPerfect, etc.) and other software applications to Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint).

If the government wants to break Microsoft’s monopoly, all it needs to do is identify an alternative operating system and require it on all computers that the government purchases. Then, we can replace Bill Gates with Steven Jobs as public enemy No. 1.

ROBERT DIAMOND

Huntington Beach

* All the barriers strewn in the Microsoft path force a rewrite of the adage. Henceforth it will read, “Go, build a better mousetrap. Just don’t catch too many mice.”

PERRY ALLEN

Carlsbad

* Time was, when I thought of Microsoft, I’d think of innovation, continually improving a product until they got it right. Now I think of arrogance, greed and the need to be bigger without necessarily being better.

WINSTON STEWARD

Los Angele