I think you're reading something into my comment I didn't intend. Gates and Microsoft generally did a lot of important work that made the open PC ecosystem a long term success, but IBM is the one that created that ecosystem, and Gates took advantage of that opportunity.

edit: Looking back on my original comment, I can see where I should've phrased things better. When I said I couldn't see giving Gates any credit for the open PC ecosystem, I should've said "the creation of" the open PC ecosystem. We may still disagree, but at least now we'll be on the same page about where the points of disagreement are. =)