Bill Gates says he never dreams about Linux

We'll start with the surreal Linux stuff first - we think his remarks about the cost of Longhorn fully deserve a separate piece, which we'll get to.

Gates was asked by Alex Vieux, chairman of the Etre conference whether he dreamed about Linux.

Bill's response was easy because he said he didn't know what Alex meant.

What I meant, said Alex, was doesn't Linux occupy your dreams?

Bill said that if Alex meant did Linux comprise a threat, well at one time the Armies of OS/2 said they were coming.

We think what he meant was, looking at our notes, that Linux was coming on strong, but that doesn't bother Bill. He said that Microsoft is in the market to offer the best value, and that hasn't changed.

Asked if personal attacks against him bothered him, Gates said that sometimes they crossed a line too far.

People threatening to bomb his family - which he obviously cares for a lot - was going too far, he added. He is devoted to his family, doesn't think that a robot to wash the dishes will take over his most relaxing household chore in the Gates' household.

He added that while he hadn't mowed the lawn himself for quite a long time, or, in his own words ‘changed the lightbulb' he does always wash the dishes.

Next story - Longhorn.