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Bill Gates Gets a Handout

Did you hear the one about the software giant that couldn't make a $35 payment? Says here that Microsoft forgot to pay the 35 clam fee to Network Solutions to maintain the rights to the URL for its Hotmail e-mail service. The site went down and would have stayed down were it not for the largesse of Hotmail user Michael Chaney, who paid the fee on Microsoft's behalf and was later sent a $500 check from Redmond for his troubles. Chaney, who must not be hurting for cash if he's willing to take on Bill Gates' debts, has put the Microsoft check up for auction on eBay and plans to donate the proceeds to charity. This is one of those amusing, "only in the new economy" type stories that should be shared with friends and clients. Clip and save!

Wed, 19 Jan 2000 07:33:38 -0800