Gates turns over reins of his empire.
Published:
28 January 2000 y., Friday
In a surprise announcement, Bill Gates said Thursday that he will step down as Microsoft chief executive and hand over the reins to longtime friend and company president Steve Ballmer. Gates, 44, said he will remain as chairman and fill a new post created for himself: chief software architect. He also said in a statement that Ballmer will become a member of the Microsoft board of directors Jan. 27.
Although Gates_ decision to hand the CEO duties to Ballmer had long been anticipated, the timing of the announcement was not expected. Gates waited until after the completion of Windows 2000, which will ship next month, before making the change. The changing of the guard is taking place at a tumultuous time for Microsoft. Just Wednesday, news leaked that the Department of Justice is proposing a breakup of Microsoft to help resolve the antitrust case pending against the company. Those who know Gates say it would be a mistake to assume that he is abandoning the company he founded in its time of need, believing that he will continue working behind the scenes to thwart his antagonists. At the very least, however, the end of his tenure as chief executive is of much symbolic value to those who have witnessed the astounding ascent of Microsoft and technology in general.
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Software company announced new structure_ of it_s business.
more »
Microsoft reportedly has called off a plan to mass produce its small-size Surface Mini tablet.
more »
Microsoft has built a new tool to help users of Windows 8.1 devices determine the causes of battery drain during the system's sleep mode.
more »
A new rumor has just started spreading about Microsoft's entrant into the smartwatch business.
more »
Wincor Nixdorf is promoting the new version of its PC/E Direct Marketing software and providing banks with an effective and modern marketing tool to individually address customers on ATMs, self-service terminals or digital signage screens.
more »
Hewlett Packard has launched its answer to Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 - its brand-new HP Pro x2 612. This device is the company's first commercial detachable PC.
more »
Unisys Stealth has been named the recipient of the TechAmerica Foundation American Technology Award (ATA) in cybersecurity. The ATAs represent outstanding achievement, with winning products exemplifying the “Best of” the United States technology sector.
more »
Microsoft showed off a test version of a real-time, spoken-word translation service for Skype calls, the first time the world’s largest software company has demonstrated the breakthrough technology publicly in the United States.
more »
Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Apple Siri and Google Now, was announced at the company's Build conference in April, and is set to arrive on Windows Phone 8.1 devices later this year.
more »
Google Inc plans to offer Wi-Fi network hardware and software at a discount to small and medium-sized businesses.
more »
Dell is making a line of PCs using plastics obtained by expanding its recycling program.
more »