What I have to say about Bill Gates

There was just so many news lately discussing the last day of Bill Gates working at Microsoft. So what I have to say about Bill Gates? -  I will always remember this name, Bill Gates, even after many years, if someone mentions "Bill Gates" to me, I will remember.

Bill Gates is a far cry to be my idol, because he's not really damn cool.  Maybe he's just a nerd with a good business sense that helped him make tons of money - so much that he literally became the richest man in the world!  But none of these is important, what important to me is that he influenced my life, and many people on this planet's lives.  The technologies his company (i.e. Microsoft) invented, Windows, Office, Xbox360, just to name a few, dramatically changed how people interact with machines and with each other.  The productivity impact and the behavior impacts will forever be written as a Chapter in Human society's natural history.

If Bill Gates represents Microsoft, and Microsoft presents the front end software technologies in America (or the world), then Bill Gates also represents part of my American Dream.  The technology aspect of my "American" view starts with Intel's 386, then 486, then the "Pentium" (which was THE representation of PC generations back then).  Of course, Windows quickly came alone with that goofy "Start" button, and it changed everything as the PCs moving into Windows 95/NT, 2000, ME, XP and (the controversial) Vista...

Disregard what I like and dislike about Microsoft's products, I have lot of respect for Bill Gates.  As he steps out of his office at Microsoft on June 30, 2008, I think he will be missed by many who like technologies and enjoyed his (right and wrong) visions and offerings over the years.  I'm sure he will always be the idol for some young and bright kids who drop out of Harvard for starting own business.  There will always be new "Bill Gates like" people as the human society advance.  But these "Bill Gates like" people do not pop up every year - Bill will always be Bill, and he will be remembered because he sets the bench mark for all future software startup companies, and those who thrive on improving and advancing technologies to create an impact to this world.

Too bad I didn't go to CES this year to attend Bill Gates' last keynote (I probably wouldn't be able to get a ticket to his keynote anyways).  I hope he will do well with his new full-time job, although it feels much different when he's not in the same office...


Thank you, Bill, for everything!  And good luck to you!