Gates, international man of mystery, ducks DoJ issue

Bill Gates used his keynote speech at Networld+Interop, Las Vegas today to pitch Microsoft at the centre of future Internet development, despite the threat of break-up hanging over the company.

In barely veiled terms, the Microsoft chairman and chief software architect painted a picture of a unified Microsoft supplying services, applications and operating systems.

"Our role going forward is the same as it was at the beginning of the PC era," he told an audience of just under 7,000 show-goers, press, analysts and Microsoft employees. "It's about building software platforms that others can take and use to build solutions. It's about empowerment."

Gates added: "There's still a lot we can do better given how relatively difficult it is to learn the PC and the number of error messages you can sometimes get."

In a light-hearted reference to his recent troubles, Gates showed a spoof video in which he played Austin Powers with current CEO, Steve Ballmer, taking the role of Doctor Evil. In another scene, Gates re-visited his legal dramas - this time in the courtroom of TV's 'Judge Judy'.

Gates, who received a mixed reception when he walked on stage, began in self-deprecating style. "Recently, I've been getting a lot of email saying 'I love you'."

Gates' reluctance to address the government break-up proposals head-on is expected to be rectified by the company later this week when it will put forward a series of concessions in the hope of keeping the company together.

Among counter proposals, Microsoft is expected to offer to ship Windows without Internet Explorer, allow third party developers and PC manufacturers to adapt the main Windows page, and promise to disclose Windows technical interfaces to third parties.

In addition, Microsoft is expected to ask Judge Jackson for permission to subpoena government documents on break-up proposals. This could delay the hearing on penalties - due on 24 May - by up to a year.