New Plans for Bill in July 2008
Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer had an important announcement to make today and we were lucky enough to catch up with them for a brief chat about the big news this morning.
Postscript: Check out the coverage on TechMeme.
erik_ wrote:Can't watch the stream
Is the download comming soon?
Yes, download coming soon...
littleguru wrote:Microsoft loosing another face
littleguru wrote:Microsoft loosing another faceand the guy with the original vision.
For the richest man in the world to give up a very influential position and concentrate on some of the basic aspects of humanity like education and health care is phenomenal. Bill will no doubt be a very influential figure in the world of charity, and I personally feel that with this announcement, humankind has actually gained a lot more that what Microsoft may have lost.
ElucidWeb wrote:
Sorry about the spelling correction but I like to point out the obvious ones since grammar seems to be a deteriorating thing these days.
Great that they brought this quickly to channel9.
Steve still got enough energy ![]()
Good luck, Bill. Thanks for changing the world and keep the change going.
dentaku wrote:Steve seems more like a stereotypical american football coach than a geek
*gasp* Did anyone notice the fade in/out transitions at the beginning and end of the clip? What is Channel 9 comming to?! ![]()
Mr. Smith wrote:
dentaku wrote: Steve seems more like a stereotypical american football coach than a geek
That's why some of us love him soBill is great and all, but doesn't really get you fired up as much as Steve chanting 'Developers' can.
Well best of luck to Bill and Melinda I hope they both accomplish many more things for this world.
I can only hope that the Microsoft stocks don’t go down anymore than they are now, especially as they were up a little after closing just before they announced this transition.
And as for you Craig Mundie, Ray Ozzie and CEO Steve Ballmer, make sure you do your best, I'm sure you all will though. ![]()
Manip wrote:I love Bill's sub concious no <shakes head> when he talks about getting Ray Ozy(?) on Channel 9... Good video... Nice work 9 team![]()
I think this is both a good, and a bad thing.
Bill is gonna step down, such a shame as he seems like a great guy.
This is a GREAT chance for microsoft to get even better, and make changes.
Who's Ray Ozzie?
I must say that Steve is filled with energy, the way he said that he would get Ray on channel9, was overwhelming.
It is sad to see Bill go. I've been in the software business a long time, and I have definitely gone through a few phases in my career ( liking Microsoft and not liking Microsoft ). Bill Gates has been one of the most thought provoking figures in the industry
for the past couple of decades.
Bill moving on, kind of seems like a sign of the times. The software industry is maturing. We are starting to come to terms with the influence that our applications, frameworks, and systems actually have in our world. We've been busy building them, and
having a lot of fun doing it. Now we're getting older, and realizing what all of these capabilities mean in real terms, and how they can truly be used to make a significant positive impact in the world, and future generations.
Best of luck, and best wishes, Bill!
BlackTiger wrote:They both looks so... old...
Yeap Bill for president ! hmm that's fine why not let him be the president of the states right now world computing will take another way of effecting.
by Liridon Shala

Open letter to Bill Gates:
Wow... I heard this news yesterday and it stunned me.
Bill gates, for better or worse you have been the face of technology for me since i was a little kid (which was not too long ago since im 25) and your company/software has inspirited and empowered me become the software engineer i am today. (C# Rocks)
To see you leave Microsoft in two years is really odd news, but I really wish you all the best in your future endeavors with the foundation.
I must agree with other comments though, you do look a bit down in the video and we all hope that this transition while hard is what you really want.
Good luck!
Good Luck Bill in your new role ![]()
You have changed the world with Microsoft and now you are moving to a new dimension in your life.
Steve ... I love your energy. You are an inspiration for Microsoft !
Thanks and
Good Luck Bill in your new role ![]()
You have changed the world with Microsoft and now you are moving to a new dimension in your life.
Steve ... I love your energy. You are an inspiration for Microsoft !
Thanks and Regds,
Jiju
Hi
Good Luck Bill in your new role ![]()
You have changed the world with Microsoft and now you are moving to a new dimension in your life.
Steve ... I love your energy. You are an inspiration for Microsoft !
Thanks and Regds,
Jiju
you gotta love ballmer. ![]()
La Cabeza el Balzana eh?
Ballmer is just so freaking happy is get rid of Bill. HE IS THE BOSS. He really has a Napoleonic complex. Probably has a small one thats why. I am really frustrated by him. Please evince him someone!
How can you let a company this size have a CEO that lets its biggest product overdue by that much??? -I don't know, except if your running a monarchy.
Arghhh...
Bill Gates is a wonderful person, along with so many of those who work at Microsoft.
Some times I wish there were computer soft ware that could be written to "fix"/change- all World problems. As of yet this has not been done.
Change to be made on the scale of curing world poverty, hunger, and disease takes people who are able to create infrastructure that executes complex algorithms.
I am glad for Bill Gates and his decision.
Bill Gates has been my inspiration & a living example of how technology can transform the lives of people around the world.
While it may make sense for MS/Bill to let others fill his shoes, it truly will be sad to not have him on the helm of affairs.
The humility with which he comes across simply amazes me...(Maybe Mr. Trump can learn a few things about humility...nah maybe not..).
The world can definitely use a few good men. I hope their foundation continues to do the good work they are so involved in.
Good Luck Mr. Gates Sir!!
Just read an interesting column on The Economist:
Philanthropy
The new powers in giving
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7112702
"Despite many denials, it is widely believed Mr Buffett made his gift conditional upon Mr Gates giving up his day job at Microsoft."
I don't think that Mr Buffett made such a condition. Certainly, driving the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation in doing the best with such a huge amount of money will require a great management effort. I think Mr Gates just wants to direct all his energies in those projects.
..and I add my wishes for Mr Gates and its foundation in doing more for other people.
I think his new role is watching his very young beautiful wife evry minute at the Bill and Melenda Gate Foundation, else he won't get out of his Microsoft office.
I think he knows about himself better than me.