What is Digg?146 Comments
- theone3, on 10/12/2007, -6/+12drachen.
Your post is further proof (as if we need it) of the cult-icon status of Steve Jobs. Steve avoids all taxes by earning a $1/yr salary and being given huge corporate 'gifts', such as learjets, cash, and even his wardrobe (most of his $ was made through Pixar). Gates is using his incredible weath to make an incredible difference to society, and in return, he is granted permission to contribute less to society via other means by other taxpayers.
Gates contributes to the government issues by paying his taxes, social issues through philanthropy, and economic issues by allowing an open market to control manufacturing, while Steve doesnt pay his taxes, doesnt donate to charity, exploits social issues for commercial gain and uses a 100% closed architecture, attempting to force an apple monopoly onto consumers. - jimdiggity, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5theone:
You have got to be kidding. Have you ever paid taxes? Do you realize that you pay taxes on the millions of dollars in shares that you acquire and/or sell throughout the year? You honestly believe that Jobs is some sort of tax-dodging criminal? Be honest.
And no charitable contributions? Even the author admits that he COULD be wrong, "Of course, Jobs and his wife may be giving enormous sums of money to charity anonymously." Of course, that's just crazy.
This article is not news in the least...it's the pedantic ramblings of a Wired commentator wannabe. - anthony1124, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Bill Gates gives away money to charities for taxable reasons. He gives away computers running MS Windows like a drug dealer may spare you some crack just to get you hooked. I think both are evil, but as some have said previously, I think Steve is a better business man... and he was a hippie... and he's got problems.
- gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I thought the article was interesting. It certainly does one thing, which is to help the image of Gates. Gates does give a huge amount to charity. You have to give him credit for it. The author is just talking about being a better person for society as a whole, and as far as that goes the evidence points to Gates. Lack of evidence in Jobs case shouldn't count against him, but you certainly can't say it's positive either.
- e3mw, on 10/12/2007, -6/+10Everyone who gives a crap about this is officially an idiot.
- aquax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3My CEO can beat up your CEO.
- super_structure, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I love that every time this comes up on Digg (about twice a month), people post comments that essentially prove that they don't make much money and have no idea how income tax in the US work. When you're all old enough and have real jobs, decide you'd like participate in society by donating money or goods to charity, and still pay your fair share of taxes... then maybe you'll come back and post something intelligent. Instead, we get "Gates gives away money for tax reasons. He's being selfish. People like Jobs really help others by creating iPods."
I love Apple and I love my iPod, but as far as I can tell, Steve Jobs has done nothing to better humanity. You see, I can actually differentiate Jobs from Apple and Gates from Microsoft. Personal fortunes are not the same as company profits. - Flashman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4"The article is weak- it's a journalist bitching about the fact that someone protects their privacy."
To the latter part, no - it's about the fact that there's no evidence that he gives to charity, with a *speculation* that Steve's just very private about it. And it's interesting that perceptions of Jobs and Gates are as they are.
But really I think that pinning Jobs on his supposed lack of charity is really weak, when there's so many different areas where you could go for him. - hashkey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Flashman- The article spends more time speculating that Jobs doesn't give to charity (but does, in the interests of balance, admits the privacy issue may come into it). It's pure speculation, but it raises the issue of whether the super rich should be morally obliged to shout about what they do- or don't- for charity.
theone3- I'm pretty sure, based on the way concert tickets (seem to) have risen in price way in excess of the rate of inflation over the last 20 years (in the UK at least), that "based on the costs of running the event" doesn't preclude U2 from making a very healthy profit on tickets. - aantix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2At the very least, Gates speaks out and backs certain issues. Jobs does not.
Even after Jobs being a cancer survivor, he still isn't compelled to take up a pet issue and push it objectives? He's a great presenter with a large following; it's the least of his social responsibilities. - Archimboldo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I really don't know what's in Bill Gates' heart right now, but when his donations began it was ostensibly related to a now public Microsoft memo saying it would be "good PR" if he donated money to something.
That's not to say that once he became aware of philanthropic needs that he couldn't get into the causes. It has been known to happen with the likes of Carnegie et al.
I have to say, though, that I "like" Jobs more than Gates. Perhaps I would hate him if I had to work for him, but he has "style". Even more likeable is Wozniak because he seems genuinely "nice". But hey, these are all just outward things. Only God knows what's in a person's heart. - paulmetzger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I agree that BOTH men should be giving more to those who need it most.
Keep in mind, Bill was not always man of the year material. He was basically shamed into becoming that. Like the robberbarrons Rockafeller and Carnegie before him, he used ruthless monopolistic business tactics to earn his fortune, and is now trying to save his legacy (and, perhaps, soul?) by giving it all away.
As for Jobs, c'mon - it's very well known that the guy is a jerk. However, he has a public charisma that hardly anyone, much less an annoying little geek like Gates, can claim. He also has a history of giving people products that they *like* (the Mac, Toy Story etc).
Why even have this argument at all? If you want a tech figure to worship (which is pretty sick anyway), why not Woz? I mean, the guy pretty much invented the personal computer and instead of trying to be a billionare playboy, he spends his time on using technology in education.
This all just boils down to immature fanboys anthropomorphizing windows and macs in the form of their cult leaders. Whoopity-freakin-doo-dah. - WickedDrag0oN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2SCREW EM BOTH ITS ALL ABOUT MR LINUS
- McZiggz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2meh.
Jesus > both of them
:-P - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2LOL!! - I Love it when the Apple Fan Boys defend and protect their Messiah Steve Jobs.
Gates > Jobs - earlysound, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Obviously, the answer lies in "Celebrity Deathmatch."
My money is on Jobs. - MacvsWindows, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Steve Jobs is not perfect an neither is Bill Gates, I do however feel that Steve is a better leaders and CEO than Gates will ever be......
.....Saying that Gates has done alot for society but perhaps it is not about giving away money:
Remeber the $100 laptop, Steve offered osX free for them all with free updates for life!
Steve dosent care, he has gien millions of puonds to hospitals Opera houses, computers for schools, the list goes on...
...Just becuse he is rich does not mean he HAS to give to society, yes steve has his $1 salary but if you were earning what he is earning tell me that you wouldnt do the same? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4But, but, but, Jobs gives away free iPods! everybody wants free iPods! iPods! and they're freee. How can that not be considered charitable?
lol. digg. - bfurtado, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I love my Mac and I hate Windows, but I really respect Bill Gates for the philanthropic work he's done. We can question his motives or Jobs' lack thereof, but at the end of the day if little African children are getting their vaccinations then it doesn't matter. I use the computer I chose because I like its feature set better than the Windows one I used to use. It has nothing to do with any underlying philosophy or man-crush for its creator.
Brian - khoa, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Although I think this article is attacking Jobs almost unfairly, Gate's image is much, much better. Business matters aside, Gate's contributions to good causes does say a lot. I don't think anyone has the right to say that Bill isn't a good man in that sense.
- elhammond, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2This is Dumm.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4"I think Steve is a better business man... and he was a hippie... and he's got problems."
Yes, that 4% of Apple computers market is a testament to how much better he is. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2hmm, is some heavy stuff
Gates also employes a hell of a lot of americans, in a time when the USA economy is rather stifled
This site is turning into a Apple-vs-MS-vs-SONY-vs-whoever site, that's fun. - vandy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4While I appreciate what Bill Gates does...I also somewhat expect it of him. To be a man with such power and wealth, he needs to set example and promote charities and causes that concern him. Everyone remembers Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father? He used his wealth to help those less fortunate. On the other hand, with the exception of Office (though I use Keynote, not PowerPoint), I don't support Microsoft's software, nor their tactics for developing, releasing, and implementing it. I look at Jobs as a leader, and someday maybe he will be an icon for his charity, but if any of you have read his history, you will know that the world has not exactly been kind to him. Everything he has achieved, he has worked hard for and mostly on his own. Bill Gates has taken his ideas from others, called them his, packaged it, marketed it and made his money. I'd be willing to say that his wife is the true humanitarian. I'm not interested in Gates and what his charitable contributions. I am intrigued by the contribution of Jobs and Co. to Apple's innovations, his pursuit towards perfecting technology for the masses, his desire to create nothing but greatness, and to drive other people to do the same. Case in point: Pixar. His leadership will be well placed on Disney's board and he will be able to spend more time developing the future of Apple - he used to spend half of his time at each place. If I was looking to a figure to be a character of guidance and leadership, I would listen to Steve.
- letmereplynow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I find it also funny that these trolls seem to hate Bill Gates for his past when in the same place, if you had the opportunity for your company to be successful as Microsoft, Not to mention that now you know what the end result would be, wouldn't change a damn thing Microsoft has done. Gates and Microsoft has done more to change the way we communicate, how we do business and advancing technology that any of you can dream of doing. Lets add in the fact of trying to update an OS which 95% of the world runs, without changing it too much so that you don't run people off or even break certain things that keep them using the OS. Some people are just hypocrites if you ask me.
- blugu64, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Bill Gates has had a ton of more money than than Steve Jobs for a long time. It's only relatively recently that Jobs became super rich."-estacado
You mean recently like back in the early 80's when apple went public right?? (idiot) - TheCheeta, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4
Not that Steve Jobs is a Christian (I have no idea...) but trumpeting your givings, in my opinion, is pretty lame, and frankly pretty selfish. Giving should be done quietly. The only reason you would publicize your givings is for self-glorification. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Gates provided my local library with dozen of FREE computers. Now many low-income people who had no access to them can be part of the digital world.
Gates is A-OK in my book. He has changed real lives, not just make pretty computers. - nebunezzar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Who cares, it's like freaking tech celebrities. Hey guys, anyone heard who Larry Page is going out with this week?
- pring, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Capt. Picard is better than the both of them.
- nicheplayer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2When was the last time Microsoft's front page was devoted exclusively to helping, say, tsunami victims? I don't recall.... Isn't this a perfect example of Steve using his power and influence for the common good?
- tanveer, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4...stupid-short-sighted-immature-apple-fans...
That was the thought inside my head as I wasted my last 5 mins going thru some of the comments... - rgremill, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The article is completely ridiculous.
It is funny how the author thinks he has the right to dictate what Steve Jobs does with his TIME and MONEY.
I still remember people ridiculing Bill Gates for not giving away enough money. Ted Turner was one of his biggest bashers.
Guilt tripping Bill Gates eventually worked. I wonder if it will work on Steve. - timewarrior, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Keep your comment view threshold at -3.
- Grec, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I work for Steve Jobs. That being said Gates > Jobs. Of course this is just a fan boy dealy.
- octover, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This article is lame. I would not be surprised if the author even bothered to do any real research. Without even specifically looking on Google for this I found out that Steve Jobs wife co-founded and is still an active member of the board of College Track. College Track is an organization setup to help kids go to college, some of which are the first in their family to do so.
- IchiroBoston, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1No Digg,
While I do appreciate the Gates for their contribuiton, when did you HAVE to donate?
These writers are streatching for a story.
And the poster who thinks Jobs (and other CEO's) are not paying taxes because their salery is only $1 have got to be kidding me, you get taxed on any income. Including Stocks, bonus, options...etc - kismac, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0In all reality... Jobs made his fortune. He isn't REQUIRED to share. If I won the lottery for 100 million it's my choice to do with it as i please... if i don't want to give any to charity i don't have too. So all the people that think jobs is evil can shut up. Gates is only doing it to make himself look good. And no i'm not an "apple fan boy" I have both a windows machine, and an apple which both get used equally.
- dongiaconia, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@ lewisjames: Yes. Gates 'stole' dos (it was originally Q-DOS: Quick and Dirty Operating System) He 'changed' it though by making the hard drive C: instead of A:.
Then he worked on Lisa with Apple (the first graphical OS), and then worked with IBM to make OS2 (i believe). So he may have stolen a lot of the ideas, but he did have a part in creating some of them. (Q-DOS was outright stealing though)
I think this is all pretty accurate, if anyone knows better though, go for it. - beaurich, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Why does everyone care about what Bill Gates or Steve Jobs think about politics. They do COMPUTERS not run GOVERNMENTS. I like Elvis over U2 because his music was better, not because Bono thinks we should save all the little children. Give your money to charities but do not tell me what you think about abortion. I DO NOT CARE!!!!
- greatdevourer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Jobs is charitable - remember when he was offering to give X for free for the $100 MIT laptop? Also, while BG gives away a lot more money, compared to his income, it's f-all
- etherdog, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Don't forget that Gates is not a genius. He isn't that smart. He basically stole DOS and BASIC in starting Microsoft. Paul Allen was the coder.
Bill Gates father IS, however, a class act. - hsoj, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Eh, no digg. I'm not in either camp, but I don't like preachy journalism. If a guy donates to charity, that's great, but I don't like getting into the business of judging people. I know I haven't made any HUGE contributions to charity.
- gaius_baltar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Gates is great for giving money, but if you don't bring any innovation to the table then what does a company have to offer than the same old?
That's what Jobs is for. Jobs is a brilliant visionary, a great public speaker, an *****. But he's charismatic as all hell.
The fact that Ballmer/Gates are happy resting on their laurels is the reason that MS has taken a huge image hit in the last 5 years. Apple will never stop moving, and the industry needs them to follow their trends. Apple's been preaching this "Digital Life" thing for 7 years... where was Microsoft? Where is Microsoft now 7 years later? Aha. So bitch all you want about your iPod that is out of date because a new one came out boo hoo Apple is playing to stay on top of DAPs. Apple has marketshare to gain with Mac. Microsoft only can lose because when you're on top the only place to go is down. - cypher073, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Who cares about either one, frankly? I mean, sure Gates throws around a lot of money (taxes figure heavily into this as others have pointed out), but in the end they're both primarily interested in maximizing profits for their respective companies. That's not bad, that's simply business. They've used different strategies to become successful at what they do, but they're just successful businessmen and neither deserves the pedestal they tend to ride on.
- tsupersonic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0You have to love Bill Gates because computing technology would not be what it is today.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Steve Jobs is a nutcracker.
I recommend the anecdotes at www.folklore.org for those interested in learning more about Steve's temper tantrums and instabilities.
And as big and bad people claim Bill Gates is, at least he has the generosity to head the world's largest charitable organization. Even when Steve Jobs' income to charity spending is made proportional to Bill's, the ratios don't come close. - lamprey187, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Does anybody remember back in the day when the board of Apple voted Jobs out as Pres. of his own company???? This says something I think. There are numerous personal accounts of Jobs being a semi-crazed tyrant while he was building Apple. Who knows, the guy should donate to charity, he would never even notice it.
- pauly1980, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Why the criticism? Theres too many people sitting on the couches lamenting that the world doesnt pay them for their great ideas, while Jobs makes them happen. The man is setting up his channels; lets have some patience to let him execute his master plan.
- longman2g, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Seriously WHO CARES who is better? It doesn't matter as long as we the consumer wreak the benefits."
...the word is reap dude -
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