Bill Gates Transition/Retirement

zap2 · Jun 15, 2006, 04:49 PM

Its true,, i guess his comment about wishing he was not the richest man was true

That all there is for the time being on CNN

In 2008

I guess in time for Vista to come out

rkolsen · Jun 15, 2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zap2

Its true,, i guess his comment about wishing he was not the richest man was true

That all there is for the time being on CNN

In 2008

I guess in time for Vista to come out

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13348456/

zap2 · Jun 15, 2006, 04:52 PM

A CNN story on it

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/15/gates.ap/index.html

commonpeople · Jun 15, 2006, 04:53 PM

Let us not forget that Gates is perhaps the greatest philanthropist the world has ever known. Whether or not you like MS, you have to admit his money is saving thousands of lives. I wish him luck.

zap2 · Jun 15, 2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commonpeople

Let us not forget that Gates is perhaps the greatest philanthropist the world has ever known. Whether or not you like MS, you have to admit his money is saving thousands of lives. I wish him luck.

Well the reason he says for leaving is to help more people. I think its a great idea, leave MS to fail, and go save lifes, works for me.

Onizuka · Jun 15, 2006, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commonpeople

Let us not forget that Gates is perhaps the greatest philanthropist the world has ever known. Whether or not you like MS, you have to admit his money is saving thousands of lives. I wish him luck.

Though his money and fame mostly comes from stolen products and monopolistic business practices. meh? who cares, he's saving lives! *smoke screen alert*

commonpeople · Jun 15, 2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onizuka

Though his money and fame mostly comes from stolen products and monopolistic business practices. meh? who cares, he's saving lives! *smoke screen alert*

It's only my opinion, but saving lives is probably more important than arguing over which OS is better. On balance, making Explorer the default browser is a sin that's probably more than compensated by spending billions on trying to eradicate third world diseases. Sense of perspective?

mcarnes · Jun 15, 2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commonpeople

It's only my opinion, but saving lives is probably more important than arguing over which OS is better. On balance, making Explorer the default browser is a sin that's probably more than compensated by spending billions on trying to eradicate third world diseases. Sense of perspective?

You are so right. Nevermind the little boy he raped at his neverland ranch. It's all good.

Onizuka · Jun 15, 2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commonpeople

It's only my opinion, but saving lives is probably more important than arguing over which OS is better. On balance, making Explorer the default browser is a sin that's probably more than compensated by spending billions on trying to eradicate third world diseases. Sense of perspective?

I didn't even mention "which OS was better," merely he's using the money that he has that he didn't earn honestly to make himself look like the good guy. That's all.

OttawaGuy · Jun 15, 2006, 05:23 PM

Bill Gates announced Thursday afternoon he will step down as CEO of Microsoft Corp. and company President Steve Ballmer will take over the CEO role. The changes were to take effect immediately.

yellow · Jun 15, 2006, 05:24 PM

Whatever I might think about the man's products, he and his wife are SERIOUS philanthropists and should be commended.

Balmer as CEO.. now THAT'S scary.

eva01 · Jun 15, 2006, 05:29 PM

Ah we are talking about philanthropists right now in History.

He said Gates has basically piggy-backed on Carnegie

That he was extremely slow to donate anything

AlBDamned · Jun 15, 2006, 05:35 PM

A tenner says ol' Scoble saw this coming.

Good luck to Bill, but anyone with any sort of stake in Microsoft must be shaking - Ballmer as the top man is the death-knell for that organization.

Counterfit · Jun 15, 2006, 05:37 PM

Ballmer has been CEO for years. Gates has been only the chairman for a while now.

Also, he didn't start hemorrhaging cash in the direction of charities until he got married.

OnceUGoMac · Jun 15, 2006, 05:40 PM

He's not stepping down. He's still staying on as Chairman. He's just not going to be invloved with the daily operations. As a previous poster mentioned, Ballmer has been the head of MS for many years now.

EricNau · Jun 15, 2006, 05:42 PM

I doubt we'll notice any differences.

sushi · Jun 15, 2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Counterfit

Also, he didn't start hemorrhaging cash in the direction of charities until he got married.

Marriage can change a man!

AlBDamned · Jun 15, 2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Counterfit

Ballmer has been CEO for years. Gates has been only the chairman for a while now.

But Gates is the figurehead, the person many people associate with MS.

This announcement is intended to make Ballmer the figurehead, or at least start the ball rolling on his transition to figurehead.

SC68Cal · Jun 15, 2006, 05:52 PM

It's a modern day Carnegie

Peace · Jun 15, 2006, 05:56 PM

A Steve Ballmer figurehead is a scary visualization..

xsedrinam · Jun 15, 2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peace

A Steve Ballmer figurehead is a scary visualization..

Thanks, Peace. That just train wrecked a nice afternoon.

MacRumors · 06:27 PM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

The web is buzzing with the news, announced by Microsoft today, that Microsoft founder Bill Gates will cease to have a day-to-day role in the company after July 2008, with a "smooth and orderly transition" between now and then.

Gates, who wants to "spend more time on his global health and education work," through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has had much influence on the history of not only Microsoft but on the software and computer industries as a whole, including Apple's history.

After the transition period, Gates, who at age 50 is considered to be the world's richest person, will remain the company’s chairman and will be an advisor on key development projects.

Gates was sometimes criticized in the past for a late start to philanthropy, but has since devoted much time and attention, along with his wife, to health and education issues.

yankeefan24 · Jun 15, 2006, 06:23 PM

he must retire some day…

mark! · Jun 15, 2006, 06:29 PM

SO confused.

wtf does a chairman do?
why is it when you think of microsoft you think of the chairman and not the CEO like we do with apple?

THIS IS ALL WTF.

OhEsTen · Jun 15, 2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow

Whatever I might think about the man's products, he and his wife are SERIOUS philanthropists and should be commended.

Balmer as CEO.. now THAT'S scary.

If he was REALLY that philanthropic, he'd stop trying to cram IE down the whole worlds throat.... and create a more secure OS..... and practice fair business strategies...

There are a lot of disgusting people that do nice things once in a while....

View Poll Results: What is your view of Bill Gates?
Philanthropy: Only to hide previous sins.	106	24.20%
Philanthropy: Genuine.	220	50.23%
Microsoft: He's Microsoft, therefore evil.	112	25.57%
Microsoft: Stop hating on him... He's an indisputable genius!	83	18.95%
1997 Apple Investment: I hate him for how he tried to use Apple to beat the Antitrust suit.	52	11.87%
1997 Apple Investment: It kept Apple afloat until Steve worked magic, so He's alright by me.	118	26.94%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 438. You may not vote on this poll

Jun 15, 2006, 04:49 PM	#1
zap2 macrumors 601 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ	Gates to step down!!!!!! Its true,, i guess his comment about wishing he was not the richest man was true That all there is for the time being on CNN In 2008 I guess in time for Vista to come out Attached Thumbnails __________________ "We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." Will Rogers

Jun 15, 2006, 04:52 PM	#3
zap2 Thread Starter macrumors 601 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ	A CNN story on it http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/15/gates.ap/index.html __________________ "We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." Will Rogers

Jun 15, 2006, 05:24 PM	#11
yellow Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I love you, food.	Whatever I might think about the man's products, he and his wife are SERIOUS philanthropists and should be commended. Balmer as CEO.. now THAT'S scary. __________________ Chameleon's Consignment Loft

Jun 15, 2006, 05:29 PM	#12
eva01 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gah! Plymouth	Ah we are talking about philanthropists right now in History. He said Gates has basically piggy-backed on Carnegie That he was extremely slow to donate anything __________________ If I go on a crazy non-sensical rant, it's the painkillers talking. If however I make perfect sense I take full credit.

Jun 15, 2006, 04:53 PM	#4
commonpeople macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2004	Let us not forget that Gates is perhaps the greatest philanthropist the world has ever known. Whether or not you like MS, you have to admit his money is saving thousands of lives. I wish him luck.

Jun 15, 2006, 05:23 PM	#10
OttawaGuy macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2006	Bill Gates announced Thursday afternoon he will step down as CEO of Microsoft Corp. and company President Steve Ballmer will take over the CEO role. The changes were to take effect immediately.

Jun 15, 2006, 05:35 PM	#13
AlBDamned macrumors 68030 Join Date: Mar 2005	A tenner says ol' Scoble saw this coming. Good luck to Bill, but anyone with any sort of stake in Microsoft must be shaking - Ballmer as the top man is the death-knell for that organization.

Jun 15, 2006, 05:37 PM	#14
Counterfit macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: sitting on your shoulder	Ballmer has been CEO for years. Gates has been only the chairman for a while now. Also, he didn't start hemorrhaging cash in the direction of charities until he got married. __________________ "People shouldn't use word processors as web development tools. It's like using a domestic cat to spread butter on your toast." -ad

Jun 15, 2006, 05:40 PM	#15
OnceUGoMac macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2004	He's not stepping down. He's still staying on as Chairman. He's just not going to be invloved with the daily operations. As a previous poster mentioned, Ballmer has been the head of MS for many years now.

Jun 15, 2006, 05:42 PM	#16
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	I doubt we'll notice any differences. __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

Jun 15, 2006, 05:52 PM	#19
SC68Cal macrumors 68000 Join Date: Feb 2006	It's a modern day Carnegie

Jun 15, 2006, 05:56 PM	#20
Peace macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: On top of the Storm Peaks waiting for the Time-Lost Proto Drake	A Steve Ballmer figurehead is a scary visualization..

Jun 15, 2006, 06:22 PM	#22
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Bill Gates Transition/Retirement http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif The web is buzzing with the news, announced by Microsoft today, that Microsoft founder Bill Gates will cease to have a day-to-day role in the company after July 2008, with a "smooth and orderly transition" between now and then. Gates, who wants to "spend more time on his global health and education work," through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has had much influence on the history of not only Microsoft but on the software and computer industries as a whole, including Apple's history. After the transition period, Gates, who at age 50 is considered to be the world's richest person, will remain the company’s chairman and will be an advisor on key development projects. Gates was sometimes criticized in the past for a late start to philanthropy, but has since devoted much time and attention, along with his wife, to health and education issues. Last edited by Doctor Q : Jun 15, 2006 at 06:27 PM.

Jun 15, 2006, 06:23 PM	#23
yankeefan24 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NYC	he must retire some day… __________________ MacBook "Black Edition" 23" ACD Disclaimer: Never take facts I state in a post as totally 100% correct unless otherwise stated.

Jun 15, 2006, 06:29 PM	#24
mark! macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: America	SO confused. wtf does a chairman do? why is it when you think of microsoft you think of the chairman and not the CEO like we do with apple? THIS IS ALL WTF. __________________ flickr

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