Marking Gates' last day--with videos

Well, it's finally here: Bill Gates' final, official day at Microsoft as a full-time employee.

To mark this historic moment--33 years in the making--we've been combing through our video archives to find some memorable stuff.

• Origin of PC clones
At a 2001 event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the personal computer, Gates and Compaq founder Rod Canion reflect on the creation of the modern PC business.

•  Control-alt-delete...gulp
At the same 2001 event, IBM engineer Dave Bradley talks about how the keystroke came to be, quipping that, though he invented it, Gates made it famous. The best part of this video is the look on Gates' face after Bradley's comment.

• Hits and misses
Nobody's perfect, not even Gates.

• End of an era, ha ha ha
At CES 2008, Gates and friends debuted a comical look at what life would be like as his last day approaches. U2's Bono, actor George Clooney, and director Steven Spielberg get some laughs at Gates' expense.

• Shifting roles
Here's a look back at Gates' career, with highlights from recent speeches.

• On outflanking rivals
Gates talks at CES 2008 about how Microsoft can beat rivals as software moves to the phone, TV, other devices.

• The future of tech
In the coming years, the conference table, the whiteboard...everything will be a computer, Gates says in October 2007.

• Microsoft versus Apple
At CES 2007, Gates talks about how Microsoft would trump Apple in the digital living room.

• Gates going, but slowly
In June 2006, Microsoft's co-founder was already planning for a different future for himself.

• Ballmer's tearful good-bye
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave Gates a teary thank-you as the founder said farewell to company employees at a town hall meeting Friday in Redmond, Wash.

See also: Special Report: For Bill Gates, the next phase begins

[drhowarddrfine]

Jeez. Why don't you start a cable channel dedicated to this. Bill Gates all day all the time! Talk about a CNET lovefest.

[Mister C]

A narcissistic show for the worlds biggest
megalomaniac. Not to worry, just like the
herpe(s) that he is, he must certainly return.

[Earl Benzar]

You know, it's quite funny to watch people worship a robber baron and prop him up as a tech visionary, when in actuality all Gates is really is a snake oil salesman of the highest order.

[ScottKin]

To drhowarddrfine, Mister C & Earl Benzar: If it wasn't for Bill Gates, the computer technology that you're using right now - regardless of what OS you're using right now - would not be possible. The growth of an entire software industry - which drove the computer hardware industry - is either directly or indirectly traced back to Bill Gates and his early vision of Personal Computing. To say otherwise is disingenuous, mean-spirited and belies your own bigotry. You three must have wall-posters of either "The Steve" or Mr. Thorvalds on your ceiling.

Thanks Bill. Thanks for helping me to make a living as a windows programmer.

[Yomero71]

Hi Bill, I thank you for everything your hard work has achieved, you have been the most important engine on our technology machinery and have impacted on everything since you started the journey. Now it is time for you to get off the bus and drive a plane. You choose SEARCH as your most important task. Go ahead, search for cure for the most terrible diseases affecting humanity, I wish you good luck and I thank you for creating the environment that lets me give my family a good life.
The world has given you so much, and you know you must return some of it. I dont know you, and you dont know me. I wish I could have the opportunity to have a good conversation with you, if not in this life, in the afterlife.
Good job, well done, good bye.