What is Digg?120 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+99I am no lover of Bill Gates, but I must say this: I am impressed by his maturity in accepting that the time has come to pass the torch. With so many egomanical loonies in Big Business these days, the "richest man in the world" looks outright tame these days.
- rot97, on 10/12/2007, -1/+65Someone like him who donates so much of his money towards charities and will spend most of his time in charge of a charity must be commended. How many of you diggers would ever be able to build up a huge global corporation and take that much of your money and give it away?
- sparkrainfir, on 10/12/2007, -2/+54I'm no fan of windows, but bill gates is the man. the company might have made some stupid decisions, but remember -- bill gates isn't the only person in the company, he has a lot of people making decisions for him. for being the richest man in the world, he has his act together. i totally respect mr. gates, and hope that by him spending more time on his charities he can help even more people than he currenty is.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+50We don't need to hear every one of you say "I'm no fan of Windows".
- lava, on 10/12/2007, -1/+34I would probably vote him president. He knows where the real problems lie.
- davidv, on 10/12/2007, -0/+31I remeber in my Junior year of high school, my english teacher would always say he'll go down in history as the worlds greatest philanthropist.
- Demagogue, on 10/12/2007, -4/+34Bill Gates is simply one of the most brilliant men of our age.
- muffins, on 10/12/2007, -10/+37Blah blah all this talk of "well I'm no fan of windows.."
First of all, so many of you probably use Windows, but you still say that.
Secondly, go code your own OS and let me know when it has no bugs. I'll be happy to use it.
The anti-windows garbage is ridiculously pathetic.
I'm sad to see Bill go. He helped so many people get into good things and now are some of the top developers. I use Windows, and sure its not perfect, but as long as your IQ is about average, its pretty easy to use and if you ge a virus...well thats your own dumb fault I'm sorry to say.
Sorry if that whole comment sounds attacking, but in a way its kind of suppose to be. - aeroplanedigger, on 10/12/2007, -4/+31Wait, I strongly disagree with that article no matter what you say. Bill Gates was one of the few Big Businessmen who opposes killing the inheritance tax, he advocates that all Americans should give away 10% or more of their income no matter what. Bill is an amazing man, (as is anyone who achieves such things, Hitler or Martin Luther King Junior for example) but I admit he is not without flaws, he is a corporate "man". That said, he is not in the league of rich families like the Walton's or Bush's who have supported hoarding their wealth at the expense of lower income people, and the very economy or stability of our nation.
gosh, that got political. - puffarthur, on 10/12/2007, -5/+30hmm true, but I wouldn't trust him on security issues (if you get my drift)
- Murdats, on 10/12/2007, -0/+24"It's easy, with a net worth of an estimated 50 Billion dollars USD(wiki) and with his charity using 30 billion you've got 20 billion to play with."
so where are all the other big business people or celebrities giving away 3/5ths of their money?
if its so easy why doesnt everyone else do it - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -12/+36So I'm guessing you like Jobs for exactly the same reasons then?
After all, his stuff is rarely innovative, just well marketed. - Burmask, on 10/12/2007, -4/+26If it's easy for Grandma to use, then that's innovative.
- PathDaemon, on 10/12/2007, -5/+26I'd agree. I could be considered one of those MS haters, but this is actually a great letter. I'll almost miss Bill Gates.
Actually, I'm not looking forward to this — "monkey boy" Balmer in charge of Microsoft, and the two largest computer companies both run by people named Steve. - nahdan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+20he has ONLY spent 1/6th of his life working for global charity?!
how much of your life have you spent working for global charity? - Brian48216, on 10/12/2007, -6/+26If half of the world's rich were as well rounded as Gates, we'd have a much better world.
One more thing to note, he's not giving his kids all that much money to play with. From what he's said, it's all going to charity. Granted they'll still end up with at least a few million, but it's better then having those stupid ass son of a bitch kids like Paris Hilton running around.
I agree with muffins. You write an operating system that's compatible with practically every piece of hardware out there and supports old as ***** software and I'll buy it. Linux is secure because nobody uses it and hackers could give less of a *****. Argue all you want, but you and I know that for every linux user you know, you also know at least 100 windows users. - saska, on 10/12/2007, -1/+21"Recent move"? What are you, an Ent?
- L0phtpDK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17Wacki: Good info!
But... the Bill and Melinda Foundation will not fall into either stat. It is a private fund with no relation to Microsoft. The funds that go into this foundation come from Bill's checkbook, not Microsoft's. (Blame Balmer for that one)
So, find me the stats on *Individuals* or private parties. - buss, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18I can top that, I left Circuit City with a two HOUR notice.
- tormented, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15Remember it is also alot of his time that he is giving to them.
- threemagic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17In my job I can get away with a 2 WEEK notice...
- Tiabin, on 10/12/2007, -5/+17I was most impressed by the casual tone of his email. After reading it I could tell that he likely didn't even have a secretary run over it. There was a fragmented sentence or two. Believe it or not though, I have a lot more respect for him for this kind of approach. Makes the email seem a lot more like something from the heart as opposed to a political manuever.
On a side note... Boy am I looking forward to linux becoming more of a household item! - tehpoutine, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16I can't believe you're quoting someone from slashdot as fact to dispute someone's point. Do us a favor and don't hit "Submit Comment" next time you have a brilliant idea like this. Also learn to use the 'reply' link, it's really not that difficult.
- adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14I think the "bad decisions" part were mostly at the hands of our buddy steve.
- Murdats, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12im a fan of windows
but I find it funny everyones tune is changing from bill gates does bad things and windows is a bad product to windows is a bad product but thats hardly bills fault he is an alright guy - tormented, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11I have always admired Bill Gates, he hasn't just started giving to charities recently, he has been doing good works for some time now. Not only that but he is a great business man. If you deny that you really have a over biased view. How can he not be a great business man if through the creation of his company he became the richest man in the world.
- ddxChrist, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11I'm glad that Bill's devoting himself to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation really helped out one of my friends - he'll now be able to go to college (Yale), whereas before he'd be lucky if he could afford a local college (especially with rising costs in the area we currently live in). Thanks, Bill. It's a good cause.
- iamhumble, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13I tend to agree. Bash Bill if you want but he is good at getting his point and thoughts across in emails. I have read several of his emails, and you can tell he is a good with the pen as well.
- diggnationdevon, on 10/12/2007, -7/+16I don't want to hear any of this Anti-Gates comments I've been reading above. Bill Gates is the most successful businessman in the software industry ever... You can't bash Windows either because it has about 92% of the market share. So obviously he brought a lot of success to the company. Heres another fact for anti-gates/microsoft products: MOST CUSTOMERS ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THEIR SOFTWARE. Touche...
- buss, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15I'm one of the few who actually appreciates windows. Most things are easier in windows than in any linux distro I've tried. Installing windows takes me a total of 2 hours to have a perfectly functioning system (at least as perfect as windows can be), but installing and configuring a linux distro is usually a day-long or multiple-day procedure. What kind of modern operating system makes you open configuration files in a text editor and scroll through what can be over 100 lines of code? In terms of usability, windows has consistently hit the mark. Security is, I don't even have to mention, a completely different story.
Bill Gates is one of the fine people of our time. Its amazing and almost uncomprehensible how much money he donates to charities and how many people's lives he has changed. - Demagogue, on 10/12/2007, -14/+23Ill 2nd that about gates and bush. The leader cant be blamed for every little thing..
- MarioKart, on 10/12/2007, -5/+13
incase the site goes down, here is another and the actual email
http://ibloggedthis.com/2006/06/18/bill-gates-emails-microsoft-employees-regarding-his-transition/
From: MSBILLG
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 1:41 PM
To: Microsoft and Subsidiaries: All FTE
Subject: My Transition Plans
I wanted to take a moment to share some of my thoughts, as well.
As Steve’s mail indicates, I’ve decided that two years from now, in July 2008, I want to devote more time to the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Right now and for the next two years, my full-time job is here at Microsoft, and my part-time job remains the Foundation. Beginning in July 2008, I will switch that, to be full-time at the Foundation, while remaining involved with Microsoft as Chairman and an advisor on key development projects on a part-time basis.
To prepare for this change, we have a well-thought-out transition process. Again, I will continue at Microsoft full-time for the next two years, but over the course of those two years, my day-to-day responsibilities will shift to a team of incredible technical leaders who are already doing amazing things at the company.
I feel very lucky that we’ve got extraordinary technical leaders at the company, like Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie, who can step up to assume the roles that I’ve played. I’ve known Ray for the last 20 years, and he has created some of the most important developments in the industry. Craig and I have worked together for nearly 14 years, and he’s been a technical visionary and a leader on policy throughout his career. With Ray and Craig stepping up, I feel very confident that the technical stewardship of Microsoft is in very capable hands.
And I feel the same way about our business leadership. Our core businesses are strong and we have a clear vision for how we will meet new challenges and opportunities. We just had our first $12 billion quarter, and we continue to generate almost a billion dollars in profit every month. We are about to launch breakthrough versions of Windows, Office and Exchange, which are already generating a lot of excitement.
Six years ago, Steve and I made a major transition when he stepped up to be CEO. He’s done a fantastic job by every measure, whether it’s the people he’s brought in, the new ways he’s running the company, or just the objective results - like doubling our revenue in six years. Steve has driven us to make bold bets on things like Xbox, Real Time Communications, business applications, IPTV, and many others including the Live platform. Steve is the best CEO I could imagine for Microsoft - he is changing the company in ways it needs to be changed. He is bringing in new leadership at all levels. And, he is focused on the long-term - making Microsoft a great company not just today but for decades to come.
With Steve’s organization of the company into three divisions led by our incredible presidents - Jeff Raikes, Robbie Bach, and Kevin Johnson - we’ve laid a solid foundation for greater autonomy, agility and entrepreneurial spirit in our product groups. And with the great addition of Kevin Turner as our COO, our leadership team has never been stronger.
Our deep technical strength is one of the key reasons I believe Microsoft is well-positioned for great success in the years ahead. I’m very pleased that in addition to Ray, Craig, David and Rick, Steve has asked J Allard, Bob Muglia, and Steven Sinofsky to play an expanded role in shaping the company’s business and technology strategy. And when you consider all of our remarkable Technical Fellows, Distinguished Engineers, all of the brilliant researchers working at our MSR labs around the world, and all the technical people in the business groups, I can safely say that our technical talent has never been stronger or deeper.
Obviously, this has been a very hard decision for me. Microsoft will always be a huge part of my life, and I’m lucky to have two callings that are so important and so challenging.
On a personal note, I know that my work on global health and education issues at the Foundation would never have been possible without the enormous success of Microsoft, so I want to thank you and all of the employees past and present who have contributed so much to this company.
For these last 31 years, I’ve had the best job in the world. I’ve worked with some of the brightest and most passionate people in the world. Together, we’ve built a great company whose products have empowered people around the world.
We’re only at the beginning of what software can do, and I’m excited about the impact that Microsoft can have. I’m going to take an extended vacation this summer with my family, but I’ll be back in late August and I look forward to working with all of you for the next two years and beyond, to make those dreams a reality.
Thanks.
Bill - randyandy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Hear hear about fans and "anti-fans" of windows.
An operating system is a tool. You use it to get work done no more no less - be it blogging, word processing, watching porn, mailing your mom, gf, ex, stalking 14 year olds, or posting nude pics of yourself from your basement.
All this "fan" "no fan" crap is trite cliche.
Many people use Windows because it works for them, people use Macs because it works and people use Linux for the same reason. Its all about your level of savvyness and drive to learn something new - or lack of a need to do so if thats the case.
Personally I have and still use all three of them daily. Each one has its flaws but they also have their strengths. As far as I'm concerned learning to work within and around their limitations is more fuilfilling than aligning yourself to one and letting everyone know about your alignment to one - or even impressing your views on others. We don't care really.
Understanding their internal architecture and the decisions that were made when designing each one even more so. There's beauty in their complexity.
-- Totally Operating System Agnostic Old Skool User. - Monkeman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7or not.
- psycloned, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Agreed one of the most brilliant business man of our age... the motives, the techniques, the results are all byproduct of our current society and he knew how to exploit them...
- puffarthur, on 10/12/2007, -11/+17haha yea it's pretty much assumed here on digg anyway
- DavidDigg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I totally disagree. Paris Hilton is the stupid spoiled whore PAR EXCELLANCE of our time. She sets the standard that all other stupid spoiled whores aspire to.
- Dabellah, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Bill Gates isn't corrupt as most head hancho business CEOs are, and I believe it's due to his practices with his cash. Over half of his money is donated to charities and I think this is a good example of his character and personal standards. He is actually a good guy and people need to stop hating on him simply because he created a good business plan that obviously worked out. What happens next is to be determined but his leave will definitely influence one way or the other.
@Tiabin
Linux won't be a household item until it evolves further along. Windows is dominant because of its ease of use. Linux is obviously not an OS that falls under this category. Ubuntu is stepping in that direction (as just 1 example) and only the future will show us where Linux is destined to reign =)
Can't imagine throwing Linux into the average end user's hands... *shudder* - czack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5umm...bill gates isn't a corporation. He is a single man. Microsoft isn't giving away all that money, Bill is.
- zarand, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Once again, this man has my respect. I commend him for stepping down as the leader of one of the biggest and most successful companies in the world to go do charity work. Who among us would have what it takes; the fortitude, courage, and strength; to do the same? Cheers to you Bill.
- 8bit_Hero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5It's sad to see him go.
This is also sad reminder at the user climate of digg. One of the biggest stories in the tech community in years (519 diggs) and it has less diggs than "MacBooks Now In 24 Different Colors" (950 diggs). - 4ndr3w, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9Even with how much I dislike Microsoft, I must say that the email sounded really sad to me. Bill is doing the right thing. In a way I feel bad for him.
God, I can't bring myself to even put one stab at Microsoft in this comment. - wahooka, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9bill gates is a great american and he is a great man. some people love microsoft and some dont care for it... but that is beside the fact
he created and lived the american dream through hard work. computers aside he has done amazing things through his charity for the world.
people say "yeah sure he should donate his money" but actions speak louder than words, and his actions make the world a better place. - karmakungfu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Well, the e-mail says that he will be shifting his focus towards philanthropy. Jobs went out and founded another marketable business, which gave him the credentials to work his way back into Apple. Granted, I think what Gates is doing a much more noble effort, but it's an entirely different than what Jobs did. His return to Microsoft seems less likely.
- tormented, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Yeah every American gives away an entire years income to charrity.....Sure that happens all the time.
Have you given up a years income?
No I didn't think so. - hyperation, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3no matter, how much we hate microsoft, there is still that good ol' Bill in our heart. It is a love and hate thing.
Amen. - Reddog_x2000, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4MS puts out software my Mom can use. I thinks that's a big plus. It's increased both personal and corporate productivity greatly. Despite other concerns, I've got to thank Mr. Gates for that.
- afx1, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5They got nothing on big oil though...
- ungamedplayer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Bill gates cant become president because he has been knighted by the queen.
This makes him england allied, and therefore not elligable. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4How much would the linux community give back, would it be that many billions a year to charity? I think not.
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