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Bill Gates v. Steve Jobs on BBC2

That was one of the most ludicrous programmes I've ever seen on the BBC, and they've produced some pretty ropey shows in their time.

If commercial clout was the only criteria upon which "Power" was to be judged, then the result was surely a foregone conclusion - hardly on the edge of the seat stuff.

The scope of the show was way too broad for 45 minutes of television. If Gates and Jobs ever see this show, they'll laugh long and hard - not least about Gate's knitwear.
 
Try to remember though, this was about who is most powerful, there is no doubt in my mind that Bill Gates if far more poweful than Steve Jobs, there's just no denying it, you may not like it, but it is a fact.

edit: typo
 
I was not surprised that Gates won this. He is definitely the more powerful of the two due to his software being installed on ~95% of the worlds desktops.

The presenter did point out though that Jobs was the one who created the industry in the first place and that his products are far more innovative and cutting edge.
 
I've voted have you... go on you know how to vote.

Overall good program, balanced I thought. Items like comparing how they dealt with setbacks and rose from them was a good way to assess power.

A pity Bill won, but the assessment was on was Power, Steve won in the following other categories, Innovation, Design Leadership, Accessible Technology etc. Anyone know when these are being filmed?

Finally I wonder how many MS fans were watching rooting for Bill?
 
Jobs vs Gates on BBC

Gates won, by a whisker. The judge decided that though Jobs was ahead on innovation (of course) and on sheer determination (coming back to Apple), Gates had software that is everywhere. And in power terms, everywhere is what counts (apparently). Next week, it's Tiger Woods v David Beckham. That says something about the artificiality of assessing 'who is the most powerful'. You can cast your vote by visiting <www.bbc.co.uk/worldsmostpowerful> I guess I know which way I'll vote - and it won't be for Gates ;)
 
Thats what i thought and plus it felt weird having an american host this show while US audiences couldn't watch it.

Alvin Hall: So i am doing this programme about 2 powerful computer mogels who shaped the world with affecting everything on the planet.

Executive: Yeah.

Alvin Hall: What networks are running this?

Executive: The BBC

Alvin Hall: You mean that dinky little country? Any other country to watch this important show?

Executive: Yes to first, no to second.
 
Part of the promo for the show reads as follows:

"Alvin (the host) also discovers how the young Steve Jobs used to try and intimidate potential employees by being barefoot with his feet on the table during interviews."

I wonder if he was also wearing a black turtleneck!:D
 
Yea, old billy won. But post your thoughts about Steve v Bill.

It wasn't really detailed enough to show a good result. The only good parts were the interview with Sculley and Wosniac.
 
Is it me or is Alvin Hall camper than a pantomime dame?
Click to expand...

Camper than that! It's when he laughs at someones answer and goes to vocal levels only dogs can hear that gets me.

The programme was too broad - too much to cover in 40 minutes, but it was just a bit of fun. After all, next week we have Tiger Woods vs David Beckham, and after that we get Oprah Winfrey vs Madonna!

Marc
 
The first 15-20 mins of the prog was ok but then it rushed to get to the end. It left out loads of information about both men, but did manage to show what an evil man Gates is.:eek:
 
If "powerful" were

defined as financial or political, the show would be pointless.

Microsoft was found guilty of anti-trust violations when prosecuted by Clinton's DOJ, yet when the new regime seized power, the punishment phase has quietly fallen off the radar screen. That's some powerful political influence there!

However, if the show is about creative and intellectual power, the show could be quite interesting. However, as a Mac fan who has been observing this business for about 20 years, I think the show is pointless: Jobs mops the floor with Gates.

What Gates has pioneered is the licensing model for software and crappy customer service and technical support. With its numerically dominant position, Microsoft has set the tone for most of the rest of the industry on those counts and it has been for the worse for the consumer.

I had the pleasure of hearing Steve Wozniak speak a few weeks ago. When asked about Apple's place in the world, he said something like: sure, a few lawsuits went against Apple, but other than that, the whole world uses Macs. When was the last time you saw someone using DOS?
 
Steve is winning

at the moment (22.42)GMT it is:

Spawn of Satan 33%

Steve Jobs 67%
 
They also completely failed to mention NeXT. NeXTStep is one of the most influential systems in computing history and it was one of the things that allowed Apple to survive. There is simply no way that they should have missed this out.
 
Originally posted by CrackedButter
Thats what i thought and plus it felt weird having an american host this show while US audiences couldn't watch it.
Click to expand...

why is that weird?
 
There is a winner...

Ohh god, I've had fun eating cookies while looking at the results...:D ;)

I really like apples, they are healthy :)
 
Just a thought, don't go throwing rocks if you dont' like it!

Comparing the 2 of them to find the m ost powerful, isnt it a little like comparing Ford with Ferrari?

Nobody can question the amount of cars Ford pump out, and they do a good job. Ferrari make and sell less, but what cars! Ferrari has a name everyone associates with quality, Ford with mass market. And probably more Ferrari posters on bedroom walls than Fords!
 
Originally posted by jrober
Anyone know when these are being filmed?
Click to expand...
Not too recently, Alvin was playing with a 2G iPod and and looking at Jaguar boxes.
 
Originally posted by Hobbes
why is that weird?
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, i forgot to mention, before i watched this programme i havn't watched TV for like 5 months...so i'm not "with it" with what is "accepted".

But i mean come on... a Camp afro-american male hosting a show about computer mogals...if that doesn't break stereotypcial boundaries i don't know what does!

Anyway... back to NOT watching TV again.
 
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