The Microsoft Monopoly Quick Quiz Hey kids, it's time to take ParaScope's Microsoft Monopoly Quick Quiz. It's quick, it's easy, and best of all, it's a whole lot of fun. But watch out! If you aren't careful you might learn something scary about the way big business, big media and big government in America work hand-in-glove (some might even say they "conspire") to decide what's best for you, whether you like or even agree with their decision. Get ready -- here comes the quiz: 1) Microsoft's Bill Gates is a darling of the press, which loves his "super-nerd" image. Which of the following is true? a) The New York Times recently called Gates, worth an estimated $30 billion, "the most important man in the world." (Apparently wealth equates rather neatly with importance in the eyes of the Times editors.) b) NBC TelePrompTer reader Tom Brokaw followed Gates around for hours, soliciting his wisdom on everything under the sun, then ran the resulting footage in the form of a virtual homage to the man who owns the "MS" part of NBC/Microsoft joint venture MSNBC. c) Time magazine published a gushing cover story on Gates, calling him "the world's most famous business man and its richest person" and said he "will determine the way we look not only at computers but ourselves and the world." d) All of the above. 2) Microsoft is considered by many market analysts to be a "dangerous" company because: a) Its Windows software is the underlying operating system for more than 95% of the world's personal computers, leaving only 5% of the market for competing products. b) It has a practice of either bullying, burying or buying its most significant competitors in every market it enters. c) It has proven on numerous occasions that superior marketing and predatory business practices, not superior technology -- or even decent technology -- is what drives the model for success at Microsoft. d) All of the above. 3) Gates has dreams of creating a media company to rival Time-Warner and Disney-ABC, calling entertainment programming the "software" that runs on such media "hardware" as TVs, radios and computers. Which of these steps has he taken to try to make Microsoft a major media player? a) Hired prominent editor, commentator and Washington insider Michael Kinsley to create "Slate," a web-based magazine that tackles policy issues, politics and other "think tank" topics. b) Pledged to spend $500 million in forming an alliance with defense contractor General Electric's NBC to create MSNBC, a cable channel and uber-site on the web. c) Spent millions to develop Microsoft's "Sidewalk," a network of specialized local content on the web to compete with existing sites developed by both small, family-owned newspapers and local offerings from large corporate newspaper conglomerates. d) All of the above. 4) Some folks claim that wealth and power isn't enough for Gates. They say he wants to own the world, or at least the world wide web. Which steps has he taken to give folks such a crazy idea? a) Purchased set-top Internet box manufacturer WebTV for more than $400 million, created ActiveX to combat market rival Java and bought the 16-million image Bettman Archive, in seemingly unrelated moves to consolidate online content development and delivery power. b) Spent $300 million to create and market the Microsoft Network as a rival to America Online, CompuServe, local internet service providers and perhaps the Internet itself. c) Created Microsoft Multimedia Productions, a content development studio whose goal will be to create, buy or commission content for Microsoft's burgeoning online empire. d) All of the above. Answer key: d That's right, every statement in the quiz is a true and accurate depiction of the kind of consolidated power Microsoft has brought to bear on the converging markets of network computing, new media, computer software, telecommunications and more. Keep in mind as well that the Department of Justice has investigated Microsoft for unfair business practices and let the company off with scarcely a slap on the wrist. Gates' CEO Summit Guest List More on Bill Gates' CEO Summit What do you think? Share your views in the message boards!