The Apple of Mister Softee's Eye

Software giant Microsoft wants to help America's impoverished schoolchildren -- and maybe help itself at the same time.

On Tuesday, Microsoft (MSFT Quote) announced that it had reached a proposed agreement to settle more than 100 private class action lawsuits alleging that it gouged consumers for its software.

Under the terms of that settlement, which needs to be approved by the U.S. District Court in Maryland, Microsoft would donate more than $1 billion in cash, software and support to the nation's poorest school districts -- 14,000 schools in all -- over the next five years. Lawyers' fees, which are not included in that amount, would be determined by the judge. ...