MICROSOFT'S GATES HAILS PERSONAL COMPUTER.

Byline: Catalina Ortiz Associated Press 

Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates on Tuesday delivered a tribute to the personal computer and a few jabs to competitors who see the future in less powerful machines dependent on a network.

Gates, in his keynote talk at the Comdex trade show, conceded there was a role for stripped-down machines that are dependent on computer networks - and not Microsoft software.

But people want such snazzy features as voice recognition, better video conferencing and programs that can adapt to different tastes, Gates said. And it's easier and cheaper to do that on PCs than on computer ``servers'' that run computer networks - which also can become overloaded.

``I see PCs becoming more powerful, not less powerful,'' he told about 7,500 attendees of the computer industry's biggest trade show. ``A lot of what the attack (on the PC) has been has sort have been a questioning of empowerment.''

Microsoft, the world's biggest producer of software, is being challenged by several companies - principally Oracle, Sun Microsystems and Netscape - that are promoting network computers. They hope to make computing cheaper and simpler - and dethrone Microsoft - with the new diskless terminals, a few of which are on display at Comdex.

Gates, who did not mention his rivals by name, said such computers will work well for some things. For instance, he said, Sony is thinking of making diskless terminals running entertainment software to put on the back of airline seats.

But he also emphasized recent and future PC advances. They include faster microprocessors, greater storage capacity, and enhanced multimedia features to mix text, sound, video and graphics - making true PCs more powerful, compelling and easier to use.

``We'd like to give more and more power out to the machines but hide the complexity,'' he said.

In recent months, virtually everything Microsoft has been doing has figured in the Internet - including its own Explorer browser to challenge Netscape's leading Navigator product, a new version of its Office business software and Windows CE, a new operating system for a wide range of sub-PC computers that can link to the Net.

But the personal computer, Gates said, will remain the information workhorse.

The network computer camp is scheduled to make its pitch today, when Netscape Communications Corp. CEO Jim Barksdale gives his keynote address.

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Photo: (Color) Bill Gates, chairman and chief executive of Microsoft, delivers the keynote address.

Associated Press