Sayonara Bill Gates

Bill Gates is set to retire from Microsoft this week. As of June 27, Gates will step down as Microsoft’s Chief Software Architect.

Bill Gates is set to retire from Microsoft this week. As of June 27, Gates will step down as Microsoft’s head honcho to begin duties at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (his personally bankrolled charity).

Taking over as chief software architect is Ray Ozzie, whist Craig Mundie will assume Gate’s role as chief research and strategy officer and former Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer will take over the position of CEO.

Gates will retain his role of Chairman of the Microsoft Board of Directors and remains the company’s largest shareholder.

Silicon Valley analysts believe Microsoft may go through some teething problems after Gates steps down…

“The challenge Microsoft has when the founder departs is remembering its heart,” said analyst Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.

“At some point the firm has to take the essence of what made Bill Gates successful and make sure that is preserved. Whether it is a company or a person, once you’ve lost your heart there isn’t much left but a shell.”

While Windows is still used on 90 per cent of the world’s computers, Mac computers using Apple operating systems have grown to more than five per cent of the market share.

Source: news.com.au