Comments on: Gates stepping down from full-time Microsoft role

Sets 2008 date for transition out of day-to-day role as chief software architect at the software giant.

[Sil3nt71]

too bad

It really is too bad that you people can't really appreciate an act of charity. Gates may have one of the biggest companies in the world, but he also has the biggest charity. I guess a lot of you are just a little jealous that Jobs hasn't done the same with his wealth?

This isn't something new, Gates has been doing this for a very long time.

Selfishness is what plagues the world. You're pissed because what he did to your computers (which you probably wouldn't even have if it wasn't for Gates), and can't even stop to think about other people who don't even have electricity, or a proper home, let alone a computer.

I have never felt such embarresment when reading this board. Riddled with paranoia and conceitedness, this place has become nothing more than a place to vent your narcisstic rants.

Congratulations.

[Norseman]

Wait just a second!!!

All you people who are making Gates sound like God because of his giving to charity should ask one question: What PERCENTAGE of his overall wealth goes to charitable causes? Yes, what he gives is a tremendous pile of money, but his overall pile is probably 1,000x tremendous! I'm betting that there are a fair number of Americans whose PERCENTAGE of giving beats Gates. Remember the story about the widow who gave only a few coins, but it was all she had? I'm betting Bill has enough left over after his giving to live VERRRRRRRY comfortably!

[goodnews1000]

some data to help you ... wait only a second :)

the foundation has funds of around 18b dollars, his personal wealth is araoun 50b and it donates around 1.5b per year.
hope it helps!

[ggupta7]

it's more than half

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have $28.8 Billion (source: http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/bio.asp)

According to Wikipedia, as on March 9, 2006, his net worth was $50.0 Billion (of course it keeps fluctuating) (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_gates)

So he's given up almost 60% of his wealth... That's a pretty big amount dude! So think before you criticize someone. I think he's doing a great job... and now he's retiring to support the cause not only with his money, but his time too... Keep it up Bill... I wish there were more like you..

[totalconfirm]

How much do you spend for charity?

Anything giving to charity is great. Kind of money Bill Gates giving, he is greatest. I see lot of haters here. Must be those Linux idiots and Mac Fan boys.

[dbrawders]

those who live in glass houses

Until you give the same percentage of money to charity and perform to the same type of/level of generosity that he and his foundation has I would suggest you quiet down. The man gives BILLIONS regularly, there aren't many other individuals (let alone companies) that give the types of amounts that this man does. Get off the hateraid man...

[mgreere]

If everyone he raped got rich and gave money...

... perhaps the sum of their contributions would equal or exceed
that of Gates.

[Norseman]

OK. OK. OK.

OK. So it's 50%. (Although that's debateable, since Microsoft stock is now worth about 1/3 what it was in January, 2000--when he endowed the foundation with $18b.)

OK, so he's a peach of a guy.

But as far as anyone else's giving--like someone else said, we'll never know. Maybe their donations are made in the best way. Anomyously.

[Ldanny]

Get A life

Woepty Freaking Doooo, What has Steve Jobs Done Lately

[CarlK3]

BillG M$ to ..? (Hu is Fox)

US has no memory.
1) Gates' M$ was "settled" 1994 anti trust suit, violated lost in 2000.
2) Computer sites (not general media) reported M$ lobbyists writing checks trying to get the DoJ funding cut. (Kill your enemy, even the Gov.!)
3) There were reports that Billg leveraged Bill & Melinda Foundation 3rd world clinics to locals buying M$.
4) Gates moved from Chair + CEO to Chair + Chief Softw Architect.
5) 2006 hu's on 1st? When they came to see Dubbaya in D.C., Hu Jin tao and Vincente Fox FIRST talked to Gates & Boeing.

Therefore this looks like just a move to CEO, faux humanitarian, and Government Architect.