Who is really responsible?

A friend and I were talking the other day over dinner, the usual Microsoft vs. the ‘OTHERS’ conversation came up. (Apple, Linux, etc..)

You know the one:
“If it wasn’t for Microsoft, the computer wouldn’t be as popular as it is today.”

I’ve heard that just about 345 to the power of 10 times too many, so I nailed him.

It was IBM that created the computer boom, _not_ Microsoft.

IBM licensed their computer hardware early in the game where Apple did not. Hence, IBM compatible computers sprang up like a hot wildfire, taking Microsoft along for the ride as that was the operating system that IBM used.

Later Microsoft promoted it’s products heavier to the general public and fanned the flames, but it was not Microsoft that started the fire.