How a change of jobs for the worlds richest man will affect how the rest of us work and play
Microsoft on trial: special report
Jane Martinson in New York
Saturday January 15, 2000
Bill Gates, the worlds richest man who created the worlds most highly valued company, once had a vision that a computer would sit on every office desk. Now his dreams have moved out of the office to encompass every aspect of our daily lives.
The man who founded Microsoft 25 years ago announced this week that he was going to step down as chief executive. But few industry rivals or analysts saw his decision to become chief software architect and chairman as a sign that the 44-year-old wanted to spend more time with his money. Warren Buffett, the worlds best-known investor and mentor to Mr Gates, said: He certainly couldnt step away from Microsoft its his baby.
A rival Silicon Valley executive admitted: The one thing Ive learnt in this business is never, ever underestimate Bill Gates. This is a hugely ambitious move for these guys.
Mr Gates himself was excited by the prospect of his new job and said he would be devoting just as much to it as he did to handling the day-to-day responsibilities.
The father-of-two looked more like the 13-year-old computer programmer he once was when he said: Im returning to what I love most focusing on technologies for the future. The new job will allow me to dedicate myself full-time to my passion building great software and strategizing on the future.
Most Microsoft watchers believe the new job reflects the companys desire not to be left behind in the Internet age.
Although Microsoft was offering few hints about what it would reveal in the near future, industry analysts use the term a networked future to explain the way the world is expected to change. And it is this networked future that most analysts expect Gates to focus on in his new role.
Ashok Kumar, analyst at stockbrokers Piper Jaffray, said: Microsoft will want to develop software for the network. [It recognizes] that we have migrated from a pc-centric world to one in which any mobile device can work.
The term network basically describes a sort of limitless warehouse in the sky where individuals can access anything they need from anywhere on earth. This means that anything from an individuals diary to contact details and books they want to read on holiday could be filed on to a computer and then downloaded when required.
There were signs the $500bn company was changing. Just 18 months ago Steve Ballmer, who is to take over as chief executive from his old college friend, was appointed president. Soon after, the company dumped its old mission statement and called for Windows anywhere, any time and on any device.
Bill Gates talked about the development of next generation software this week. But he wants nothing less than for consumers around the world to access anything they need from the latest movie to the latest Harvard research report from any device all using Microsoft software. While other companies such as Sun Microsystmes or Novell have focused on the huge market for business customers, Microsoft is likely to want to use its brand name to offer services to consumers as well as big business.
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His interest in software has taken him into all sorts of areas. He has talked about a home where Microsoft software can lock your doors and turn off your lights at night. In building his $50m house near the Microsoft campus in Seattle, he attempted to prove that it already could.
His other software dreams include an involvement with a university research project at Carnegie Mellon looking at building an electronic model of the human brain. Mr Kumar said: People have been trying to do this for ever. Theres hardly any limit to his ambitions.
Change is in the nature of the net. Bill Gates himself appeared to accept this when he said this week: These are dramatic times in our industry. As we look ahead we recognize that we must refocus and reallocate our resources and talents.
Gates is still sore at almost missing the potential of the net. The company failed to appreciate the impact of Netscapes browser and was overtaken by smaller, hi-tech companies such as AltaVista and Yahoo!
The Seattle-based giants whole modus operandi has been called into question by the coming of the web. Although Windows has been used on more than 90% of the worlds computers for almost a decade, the company was slow to recognize that it would not be enough to control the web. One industry executive said yesterday: The days when Microsoft could offer a few shrink-wrapped applications for Windows are gone.
Richard Sherlund, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, said: For Gates, I believe that this is about making the Internet work for Microsoft. Thats where his heart is.
It has also been clear for some time, perhaps as far back as 1975 when Gates dropped out of Harvard to build an operating system, that his heart is not on business matters. He said this week that his new role will enable him to go home at night and think of databases and user interfaces rather than business models and cost structures. His decision was called a wake-up call by one industry executive. Not only is he respected for his passion for software, his very presence is expected to have an impact on the companys beleaguered team of programmers.
Art Russell, an analyst at stockbrokers Edward Jones, said: He is frankly considered such a visionary that people just hang on his every word.
Faced with more competition than it had ever seen before Microsoft will get a lot more fire in its belly because of his new job. The job change significantly comes as the hundreds of engineers who have been working on Windows 2000, the companys latest software programme, are left with time on their hands.
The new job will also mean that Mr Gates can spend more time on new developments rather than his long-running battle with the government. He is widely considered to have seriously misjudged his behaviour during the landmark anti-monopoly battle. Partly in recognition of the fact that he was considered arrogant and condescending towards the law, Mr Gates has been forced to schmooze with Washington power players over the past year, something one executive described as excruciating for all concerned.
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Bouncing around the stage this week, wearing his trademark v-necked pullover and geeky glasses, Mr Gates said: I have had the same job for 25 years.
We achieved a lot of the dreams we had, but today there are more opportunities than ever. I think its fair to say we havent seen the last of Bill Gates yet, either.
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One day in the Garden of Eden, Eve calls to God, Lord, I have a problem!
Whats the problem, Eve?
Lord, I know youve created me and have provided this beautiful garden and all of these wonderful animals, and that hilarious comedy snake, but Im just not happy.
Why is that, Eve? came the reply from above.
Lord, I am lonely. And Im sick to death of apples.
Well, Eve, in that case, I have a solution. I shall create a man for you.
Whats a man, Lord?
This man will be a flawed creature, with aggressive tendencies, an enormous ego and an inability to emphasize or listen to you properly. All in all, hell give you a hard time. But, hell be bigger and faster and more muscular than you. Hell be really good at lighting and kicking a ball about and hunting fleet-footed ruminants, and not altogether bad in the sack.
Sounds great, says Eve, with an ironically raised eyebrow.
Yeah, well. Hes better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick. But, you can have him on one condition.
Whats that, Lord?
Youll have to let him believe that I made him first.
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A man walked into a bar and ordered a glass of white wine. He took a sip of the wine, then tossed the remainder into the bartenders face. Before the bartender could recover from the surprise, the man began weeping. Im sorry, he said. Im really sorry. I keep doing that to bartenders. I cant tell you how embarrassing it is to have a compulsion like this.
Far from being angry, the bartender was sympathetic. Before long, he was suggesting that the man see an analyst about his problem.
I happen to have the name of a psychoanalyst, the bartender said. My brother and my wife have both been treated by him, and they say hes as good as they come.
The man wrote down the name of the doctor, thanked the bartender, and left. The bartender smiled, knowing hed done a good deed for a fellow human being.
Six months later, the man was back. Did you do what I suggested? the bartender asked, serving the glass of white wine.
I certainly did, the man said. Ive been seeing the psychoanalyst twice a week. He took a sip of the wine.
Then he three the remainder into the bartenders face.
The flustered bartender wiped his face with a towel. The doctor doesnt seem to be doing you any good, he sputtered.
On the contrary, the man said, hes done me world of good.
But you threw the wine in my face again! the bartender exclaimed.
Yes, the man said. But it doesnt embarrass me anymore.
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Certain little girl, when asked her name, would reply, Im Mr. Sugarbrowns daughter.
Her mother told her this was wrong, she must say, Im Jane Sugarbrown.
The Vicar spoke to her in Sunday School, and said, Arent you Mr. Sugarbrowns daughter?
She replied, I thought I was, but mother says Im not.
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Two newlyweds are riding in the back of a limo on the way to their honeymoon boat cruise. The husband says, Honey, I want to stop and pick up some condoms before we go. Good idea, she says. While youre in there, pick me up some Dramamine.
The groom gets out, walks into the drugstore and says to the clerk, Id like a box of condoms and a package of Dramamine, please.
Yes sir, says the clerk, but do you mind if I ask you a question? If it makes you nauseous, why do you do it?
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Six months after the waiter died, his widow went to see a medium, who promised she would contact the dead man.
During the séance, the widow was sure she saw her husband standing in the corner, dressed in his waiters outfit.
Arnold! she cried. Come closer and speak to me!
A hoarse voice from the corner wailed, I cant. Its not my table.
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There was a husband and his wife sitting next to a drunk in a bar.
Suddenly the drunk stands up and yells, ATTENTION ALL and farts loudly.
The wife is extremely embarrassed, and the husband looks at the drunk and says Excuse me, you just farted before my wife.
The drunk replies, Im sorry I didnt know it was her turn.
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A young female teacher was giving an assignment to her Grade 6 class one day. It was a large assignment so she started writing high up on the chalkboard. Suddenly there was a giggle from one of the boys in the class.
She quickly turned and asked, Whats so funny Pat?
Well teacher, I just saw one of your garters.
Get out of my classroom, she yells, I dont want to see you for three days.
The teacher turns back to the chalkboard. Realizing she had forgotten to title the assignment; she reaches to the very top of the chalkboard. Suddenly there is an even louder giggle from another male student. She quickly turns and asks,
Whats so funny Billy?
Well miss, I just saw both fo your garters.
Again she yells, Get out of my classroom! This time the punishment is more severe, I dont want to see you for three weeks.
Embarrassed and frustrated, she drops the eraser when she turns around again. So she bends over to pick it up. This time there is a burst of laughter from another male student. She quickly turns to see Little Johnny leaving the classroom.
Where do you think you are going? she asks.
Well teacher, from what I just saw, my school days are over.
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A lawyer defending a man accused of burglary tried this creative defense: My client merely inserted his arm into the window and removed a few trifling articles. His arm is not himself, and I fail to see how you can punish the whole individual for an offense committed by his limb.
Well put, the judge replied. Using your logic, I sentence the defendants arm to one years imprisonment. He can accompany it or not, as he chooses.
The defendant smiled. With his lawyers assistance he detached his artificial limb, laid it on the bench, and walked out.
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He said this week that his new role will (would) enable him to go home at night and think of database and user interfaces rather than business models and cost structures.
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