The nation's richest man was in Washington, D.C., last week to answer Senators' questions about how his company works. Bill Gates, head of the Microsoft company, was in the hot seat. Other computer-software companies say Microsoft's way of doing business breaks the law: it is so big and powerful that others can't compete.
Microsoft's Windows software is used on almost 9 out of 10 personal computers. Microsoft also makes a tool called a browser that lets people explore the Internet. By giving its browser away free with Windows, Microsoft tried to get all Windows users to use its browser and not a competitor's.
Gates says that's just two great products at a good price. "Anyone who is doing great products in this business can do very, very well," he said.
But other browser companies say Microsoft is out to destroy them. "They have done almost everything they can think of to put us out of business," says Jim Barksdale of Netscape. He hopes the government will crack down on his giant rival.