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June 5, 2008

rivals

Gates and Ballmer’s road has been rocky

Posted Jun. 5, ’08, 8:06 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Apple » Rivals

Gates & BallmerDespite their chummy appearance at the recent All Things Digital conference, relations between Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer haven’t always been rosy, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal. Despite their close relationship, the two have apparently long clashed over their respective roles at the company, with things coming to a head in 2001 when Gates decided that he had to be comfortable being number 2 to Ballmer’s number 1.

This look back comes at a time when Gates is poised to leave the company that he created; his last day is set for June 27th, at which point he’ll take a backseat to Ballmer, acting as chairman of the board. While Gates isn’t necessarily the embodiment of Microsoft the same way Steve Jobs is of Apple, it’s difficult to imagine the company without him at its head, and his impact on the development of Microsoft should not be underestimated.

Sure, Microsoft’s in no danger of going out of business tomorrow, but their position has become less monolithic in recent years. In the late ’80s and ’90s, they seemed untouchable: today they just seem all too human. Consider the lagging adoption rates of Windows Vista, and the recent abortive attempt to take over Yahoo, both of which have been attributed to Ballmer’s reign. If that is indeed the direction the company is heading without Gates, then we might be looking at a vastly different Microsoft in the next decade.

[via Gizmodo]


3 Comments

Dave-O said:

Everything's going to be fine, Windows 7 will have a touch screen.

June 5, 2008 8:54 AM
Troy F. said:

Windoze 7 ...... (((((( LMAO ))))))

June 5, 2008 12:40 PM
BlueScreenOfDeath said:

Microsoft will market Windows 7 as "Groping Screen" capable. Touch Screen is too blend.

They hope this will generate some enthusiasm.

June 5, 2008 4:58 PM

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