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Audio: Bill Gates says so long to Microsoft

Bill Gates and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer both fought back tears as they concluded a farewell event for the Microsoft co-founder on the company's Redmond campus this morning. Ballmer presented Gates with a bound scrapbook of photos and memories -- acknowledging that no mere parting gift could do justice to the moment. Then Gates addressed Microsoft's employees for the last time in his full-time role. Here's what he said.

See more details from the event in this earlier post.

Posted by at June 27, 2008 11:07 a.m.
Categories: ,
Comments
#144717

Posted by unregistered user at 6/27/08 2:15 p.m.

Wow....you can feel "it" in his voice. Nakul Goyal

#144737

Posted by unregistered user at 6/27/08 2:53 p.m.

I was there, it was a great event, and a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Best of luck to Bill and his Foundation, and to everyone at Microsoft.

#144988

Posted by unregistered user at 6/28/08 1:45 a.m.

I want go give my best wished to Bill and his Foundation.

#144997

Posted by unregistered user at 6/28/08 5:14 a.m.

Billyboy bedankt :)

#145023

Posted by unregistered user at 6/28/08 8:44 a.m.

what are you all tlaking about? I wish him the best personally but Microsoft has been a very long train crash that may finally end and start with a new management!! Microsoft sucked throughout all these years have we forgotten that? Everything related to Microsoft is a disaster I' glad this day has finally come! Let's have some change!

#145029

Posted by unregistered user at 6/28/08 9:02 a.m.

Everything Microsoft is a disaster? You basing that off all the different Vista's?
The XBox has turned profitable... Success...
The new Office suite is amazing... Success...
Microsoft Surface is stunningly awesome...
And whether you like it or not.... The Zune has really gotten impressive...
So, while change will be welcome... Microsoft is just fine...

#145038

Posted by unregistered user at 6/28/08 9:42 a.m.

Thank you and Best of Luck, Bill

#145040

Posted by unregistered user at 6/28/08 9:57 a.m.

What a great, honest speech that highlights why he is such a special guy!

#145194

Posted by unregistered user at 6/29/08 5:49 a.m.

I'm worried about how Bill will get along now, without a full-time job? What's he going to do for retirement money?

Oh, my mistake. I was thinking about the rest of us.

#145209

Posted by unregistered user at 6/29/08 8:27 a.m.

Bill Gates, You changed the world dramaticlly, and on behalf of everyone I would like to say thank you!
Best of luck for you and your Foundation. I think what you are doing is great, and u make a very good role model. We love you and again thank you for everything you have done.

#145236

Posted by unregistered user at 6/29/08 11:02 a.m.

"Microsoft Surface is stunningly awesome... "

Who ARE you clowns? Paid shills? The Surface is a joke, a proof of concept advertising counter that left the lab to early. It isn't a "touch screen" in any usable sense of the word, and certainly can't do any of the really cool demo only features.

#145284

Posted by unregistered user at 6/29/08 3:37 p.m.

best of luck to bill!

#145300

Posted by unregistered user at 6/29/08 5:35 p.m.

I met Bill @ his house......! He's great! The company's great!...change could be good tho....we'll see! Best wishes BillG!

#145360

Posted by Bayr at 6/30/08 12:13 a.m.

We all supported Microsoft. Anything against big blue!
I sold untold copies of MS-Dos, Microsoft "Basic", and even "Microsoft Fortran"!
MS-Dos on "Leading Edge" CPU's, and then Home Brews before every garage! 12 MGz migod!
Am I old, yes, can you say punch cards?!?!?!?!?!

So you all suck up to Bill. Actually, I'm surprised he hasn't retired sooner. Something about keeping stock prices up. Anyway, BOL for the man.

That being said, I predict his return to right the giant (in less than two years).

I'm sure he'll pull it off.

Bayr

#145367

Posted by unregistered user at 6/30/08 2:15 a.m.

Microsoft definetely changed the world and forced the world to use a standard. If this never happened software wouldn't be so easy to develop because in that case we should develop different versions for different operating systems. Look at the mobile space... this is junked with several operating systems. This is also the reason why software is not so easy to develop to make it available for all different handsets. I wish there were just 3 operating systems in the mobile space as well. Wether you like it or not..Microsoft set the standard and changed the world for doing that. Now that operating systems are build for different devices (handsets, refrigerators, cars, etc...) I hope that this will be one standard as well but this time of course an open standard.

#145375

Posted by unregistered user at 6/30/08 5:55 a.m.

Why Bill deserves it is -

Without him computer would have been only with the scientists and the rich clients of Stevy J.

He is who made it main stream and liberated it for creative people.

Stevy J or any others will take years to run their system on ANY and ALL computers. Mean while Stevy can keep playing the iPhone price game in his back yard.

Three cheers Bill and Microsoft.

#145680

Posted by unregistered user at 6/30/08 8:39 p.m.

Posted by unregistered user at 6/29/08 5:35 p.m.
I met Bill @ his house......! He's great!

Well, I'm sure we are all very impressed!

#145735

Posted by unregistered user at 7/1/08 4:19 a.m.

what ever is said and done Mr. Gates is a great man!!!! The meaning of computers have changed because of his vision. no one can deny that..

#146050

Posted by unregistered user at 7/2/08 6:16 a.m.

Your IP is noted and your name marked, citizen #145735.
But you receive nothing.

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