SD> Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I understood of the story was that
SD> Microsoft bought "DOS" from another company (Seattle
Computer Company?)
SD> for
SD> about $20K.  IBM was courting DEC to use CP/M on its new PC, but Ken
SD> Olsen
SD> blew off IBM since he didn't think they were serious (he instead went
SD> golfing).  IBM then came to Microsoft and worked out a licensing deal...
SD> and the rest is history.

You are correct.  IBM's multi-billion dollar mistake was to give Bill Gates
full rights for the new operating system.  IBM didn't have any real
interest in the software running on home computers - only the hardware
itself.  They agreed to let Gates have full rights to what became MS-DOS. 
I bet they wish they could do that one over again.. :)

Funny thing is, it seems to have gone full circle.  Gates never had
interest in music, phones, entertainment, etc.  Apple has been cashing in
on those areas and now Microsoft is trying to play catch-up.

- Mark

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