Technology, Culture, Commentary on the Internet Revolution

Bill Gates’ Farewell

by Mike Abundo on June 28th, 2008

We all hate Bill Gates, but you could still feel the emotion in his voice as he bade goodbye to Microsoft yesterday. I had to clean up a lot of choking and stuttering and other verbal garbage as I transcribed his farewell address.

My life’s work really is about software, and working with incredible people. I love working with smart people. I love working with Steve; I love working with all the incredible people here. Even in the times that were the toughest — in some ways those were the times that were the ones that bond you the most. You know, when IBM decides to attack you, or when some legal ruling isn’t quite right, and you have to do a press conference afterwards.

Work here combines two things that I think are just so special. One is the long-term impact, the impact on the world of what we do, is incredible — when we can always go out and see things that remind us of that. Blind people using our accessibility can browse the Internet. Their lives are just totally different because of that. So you can say wow, this is so [unintelligible].

But I think the second thing is that the day-to-day work is fun and enjoyable. That’s actually what’s made it so easy to want to work hard, to want to always improve things, to face up to whatever it is that needs to be done better. It’s a special group of people who put so much into it.

Let me just close by saying you’ve made it so much fun for me. There won’t be a day of my life that I’m not thinking about Microsoft and the great things that it’s doing, and wanting to help.

Thank you for making it the center of my life and so much fun. Thank you.

Yes, Bill, please help Microsoft even after you leave. Ballmer’s running your organization right into the ground.

‘Til the very end, Bill could never muster the eloquence of his one-time rival Steve Jobs. Nevertheless, you can still feel the guy’s passion for his life’s work.

That’s why I wonder wonder how Ballmer could possibly expect Jerry Yang not to feel that same passion for Yahoo. That’s probably why Ballmer spearheaded the Yahoo takeover attempt, not Gates.

(Photo and audio via Todd Bishop.)

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POSTED IN: Microsoft