Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

**Matt W** · Jun 16, 2006, 04:14 am

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5085444.stm

Quote:

Bill Gates has announced he will end his day-to-day role as head of software giant Microsoft by July 2008.
Mr Gates said the move would allow him to spend more time on health and education work at his charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"This is a hard decision," said Mr Gates, adding that he was not retiring but "reordering [his] priorities."

Mr Gates will continue to serve as the company's chairman and advise on key development projects after July 2008.

"I'm not leaving Microsoft," said Mr Gates.

Mia · Jun 16, 2006, 04:52 am

Who cares?

tinybear · Jun 16, 2006, 04:57 am

Yeah, Microsoft pretty much runs itself these days. Bit like auto pilot. :)

Mia · Jun 16, 2006, 05:03 am

I had a silly attack and wanted to see Matt's reaction to my rudeness...I personally don't care, but I wasn't serious in disparaging his thread.

But I must sleep so I had to fess up now!

**Matt W** · Jun 16, 2006, 02:08 pm

*shrugs*

I say fair play to him. The man is the single biggest donor to charity in the world, so if he wants to concentrate on that, more power to him.

And Mia....I'll get you yet, see if I don't!

RickSp · Jun 16, 2006, 02:22 pm

Gates was nerdy kid who changed the world. And now he is turning around and donating billions to make a difference to thsoe in need. He is a modern day Andrew Carnegie. That should be worth at least a grudging respect.

bishop · Jun 16, 2006, 02:42 pm

gates is the kind of billionaire that i wish all the other billionaires (and multi-millionaires) would follow.. people like him give the rich and successful a good name - unfortunately, people like him are few and far between.

and as far as microsoft goes, it's a toss-up as to whether/not his role change will benefit the company.. microsoft is still stuck in its client-server mindset and they've had repeated failures in making their presence known on the internet where yahoo and google dominate. i do think, owever, that microsoft is going to be very successful with the xbox 360 - which will put the final nail in sony's coffin imo.. nintendo isn't even considered a competitor anymore, and sony really doesn't have its act together. plus, because coding games for the ps3 will be fundamentally different than coding games for pc's (which is nearly identical to how games are made for the xbox), the xbox will have a ton of good games available for purchase... they've already sold over 1 million units worldwide, and have stated that they expect to sell about 5 million by year-end..

Mia · Jun 16, 2006, 04:20 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Matt W

*shrugs*

I say fair play to him. The man is the single biggest donor to charity in the world, so if he wants to concentrate on that, more power to him.

I didn't know that - wow. Good for him! I have always wondered how billionairs could sit on all that money. Yes, it is theirs and they don't 'owe' it to anyone...but it's more money than anyone could spend on themselves or even entire family.

If I had a hat, I would tip it to him.

Quote:

Quote by: Matt W

And Mia....I'll get you yet, see if I don't!

I believe it!

I'll watch my back,

RickSp · Jun 16, 2006, 04:26 pm

Worth taking a lot at. Impressive stuff both in the amount of money involved and in the way they disperse it for maximum benefit.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Wikipedia
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Website

Apeman81 · Jun 16, 2006, 05:40 pm

Quote:

Quote by: RickSp

Gates was nerdy kid who changed the world. And now he is turning around and donating billions to make a difference to thsoe in need. He is a modern day Andrew Carnegie. That should be worth at least a grudging respect.

Agreed. Perhaps even a tad freer than grudgingly.

Critter · Jun 16, 2006, 06:24 pm

I'm poor. Mr. Gates, how about donating to ME?

But seriously, as much as everybody dogs on Microsoft, and as buggy as the software can be, you have to admire a guy who was able to build a multi-gazillion dollar corporation. That takes some skill. And you have to respect the fact that he takes part of that money and in turn uses it to help other people.

Mia · Jun 16, 2006, 07:07 pm

Quote:

Quote by: RickSp

Worth taking a lot at. Impressive stuff both in the amount of money involved and in the way they disperse it for maximum benefit.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Wikipedia
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Website

Impressive, to say the least.

Ghumanto · Jun 18, 2006, 04:23 am

Quote:

Quote by: RickSp

Gates was nerdy kid who changed the world. And now he is turning around and donating billions to make a difference to thsoe in need. He is a modern day Andrew Carnegie. That should be worth at least a grudging respect.

Yeah! Suppose gates was the man in some 500 years ago; we all would have been reading his life story as part of primary education !!
He's a great person and I salute him.

**Jack** · Jun 18, 2006, 10:13 am

Gates is solely responsible for proving Ken Olsen wrong when Olsen said that no-one needs a personal computer in their home. IBM gave us the idea we could, but Gates brought it to fruition. And his charity work is worthy of praise.

As much as I dislike his operating system, he did change our history as a planet, and he may do even more as a philanthropist.

But he's not leaving MS entirely and he's not dead yet...so why is everyone eulogizing him? :)

Osborn F Enready · Jun 19, 2006, 01:05 pm

I think Gates is a good, model capitalist in spirit, but I don't like his global monopolist approach which is much more corporatist, and to me taints his giving to charity seemingly socialist (wealth redistribution) though I don't criticize him for it.

Truly, I think Gates is a good example of what "happens" to a good, model capitalist under todays tax laws, laws of incorporation, and government influenced labor policies.

I respect Gates, I just don't liken him to a "American Hero" as some see him, especially when speaking of OUR true capitalism which was started in this country up until the mid 1800's.

Truly though, I should learn more about Mr. Gates before passing such harsh public comment on his character. As Steven Colbert would say, the above judgement is "all gut".

Jun 16, 2006, 04:52 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
Mia Retired Posts: 7,312	Who cares? "...with like-minded people one cannot discuss. With like-minded people one can only participate in a church service, and you know how I feel about church services." Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Jun 16, 2006, 05:03 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Mia Retired Posts: 7,312	I had a silly attack and wanted to see Matt's reaction to my rudeness...I personally don't care, but I wasn't serious in disparaging his thread. But I must sleep so I had to fess up now! "...with like-minded people one cannot discuss. With like-minded people one can only participate in a church service, and you know how I feel about church services." Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Jun 16, 2006, 02:08 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Matt W Moderator Location: Reading, UK. Posts: 6,075	shrugs I say fair play to him. The man is the single biggest donor to charity in the world, so if he wants to concentrate on that, more power to him. And Mia....I'll get you yet, see if I don't! I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered. -George Best, on being asked what he did with his footballing fortunes.

Jun 16, 2006, 02:22 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
RickSp Volcanic Erupter Posts: 9,491	Gates was nerdy kid who changed the world. And now he is turning around and donating billions to make a difference to thsoe in need. He is a modern day Andrew Carnegie. That should be worth at least a grudging respect. Rick "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis

Jun 16, 2006, 02:42 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
bishop moderat-e/o-r Location: boston Posts: 11,184	gates is the kind of billionaire that i wish all the other billionaires (and multi-millionaires) would follow.. people like him give the rich and successful a good name - unfortunately, people like him are few and far between. and as far as microsoft goes, it's a toss-up as to whether/not his role change will benefit the company.. microsoft is still stuck in its client-server mindset and they've had repeated failures in making their presence known on the internet where yahoo and google dominate. i do think, owever, that microsoft is going to be very successful with the xbox 360 - which will put the final nail in sony's coffin imo.. nintendo isn't even considered a competitor anymore, and sony really doesn't have its act together. plus, because coding games for the ps3 will be fundamentally different than coding games for pc's (which is nearly identical to how games are made for the xbox), the xbox will have a ton of good games available for purchase... they've already sold over 1 million units worldwide, and have stated that they expect to sell about 5 million by year-end.. hope for america... http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Jun 16, 2006, 04:57 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
tinybear Volcanic Erupter Location: Hong Kong (for now) Posts: 7,002	Yeah, Microsoft pretty much runs itself these days. Bit like auto pilot. :)

Jun 16, 2006, 04:26 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
RickSp Volcanic Erupter Posts: 9,491	Worth taking a lot at. Impressive stuff both in the amount of money involved and in the way they disperse it for maximum benefit. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Wikipedia Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Website Rick "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis

Jun 16, 2006, 06:24 pm	#11 (permalink) (top)
Critter Bullets & Bracelets Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 658	I'm poor. Mr. Gates, how about donating to ME? But seriously, as much as everybody dogs on Microsoft, and as buggy as the software can be, you have to admire a guy who was able to build a multi-gazillion dollar corporation. That takes some skill. And you have to respect the fact that he takes part of that money and in turn uses it to help other people. Making people go, "WTF?!?!?" since 1979.

Jun 18, 2006, 10:13 am	#14 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,842	Gates is solely responsible for proving Ken Olsen wrong when Olsen said that no-one needs a personal computer in their home. IBM gave us the idea we could, but Gates brought it to fruition. And his charity work is worthy of praise. As much as I dislike his operating system, he did change our history as a planet, and he may do even more as a philanthropist. But he's not leaving MS entirely and he's not dead yet...so why is everyone eulogizing him? :) The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Jun 19, 2006, 01:05 pm	#15 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	I think Gates is a good, model capitalist in spirit, but I don't like his global monopolist approach which is much more corporatist, and to me taints his giving to charity seemingly socialist (wealth redistribution) though I don't criticize him for it. Truly, I think Gates is a good example of what "happens" to a good, model capitalist under todays tax laws, laws of incorporation, and government influenced labor policies. I respect Gates, I just don't liken him to a "American Hero" as some see him, especially when speaking of OUR true capitalism which was started in this country up until the mid 1800's. Truly though, I should learn more about Mr. Gates before passing such harsh public comment on his character. As Steven Colbert would say, the above judgement is "all gut". Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready