Sounding off on Gates' farewell
One of the best parts of working on the Bill Gates transition stories was checking in with some of the pioneers of our industry.
Although the audio here was part of the reflections package that posted earlier Tuesday, I thought it was worth calling out our files of three luminaries reminiscing about Gates.
Below are the words of Ethernet creator Robert Metcalfe, Lotus founder Mitch Kapor, and VisiCalc's Dan Bricklin.
AUDIO
Robert Metcalfe
Gates 'isn't evil'
Ethernet co-inventor Robert Metcalfe heavily criticized Gates in the 1990s on issues of Micrsoft's anticompetitiveness. Yet, he admits he likes Gates, even if the sentiment is unreturned.
Download mp3 (999KB)
Dan Bricklin
Dancing Gates memories
Dan Bricklin, co-creator of VisiCalc spread sheets, talks about Gates' willingness to do anything--including dancing at conferences--for his business and for the industry.
Download mp3 (3.85MB)
Mitch Kapor
Competing with Gates
Mitch Kapor, the creator of Lotus 1-2-3 software, acknowledges Gates' early intensity and drive.
Download mp3 (2.77MB)
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
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by JTMontgomery
June 25, 2008 11:13 AM PDT
- Well what would life be with out challanges? Bill Gates is no more evil than the people who are making the comments. What would the business world be with out Microsoft. Bill Gates is a winner and will be missed.
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by MSSlayer
June 25, 2008 3:30 PM PDT
- Where would the computing business be without Microsoft? A lot further along than it is now. Microsoft has kept the industry down by silencing the true innovators down. Gates is only a winner in the greed category. If you count competence, ethics, helpfulness to the industry and humanity at large(aka things that matter) Gates and MS is a big loser. No one will miss him because he does not matter.
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(4 Comments)