At January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, PC Magazine editor-in-chief Michael Miller talked with Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates. The conversation ranged from Tablet PCs and Microsoft’s effort—dubbed SPOT—to infuse watches and other everyday objects with online intelligence, Longhorn, to a slated Xbox Live showdown between Gates and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. “I’m a little worried,” Gates conceded, regarding the face-off with Shaq.
A Chat with Bill Gates
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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I am a big fan of William Gates. I have read his books, use his software and see along with him most of his visions for the future. I also use Linux as well. So instead of going into an open source Jihad which is what usually happens, I urge some of you to actually read his books instead of attacking this man. I dream of the connected home and connected human as well. As long as we get there, somehow I think all will be well in the future.
face-off with Shaq! LOL
He’s even stupider in real life…
or is there anyone else who hates people who get excited? I mean, big deal, a watch running Windows. Thats about as usefull as a fridge with an internet terminal. NOW, if that fridge could work out that I am low on milk and automatically order some, then sure, great idea, however, simply haven’t a terminal built into a fridge, can anyone say “what the F*ck is up with that?”
I don’t want a watch running an OS, I want a watch that does just that, shows the time and maybe at the most, the date. Cellphones running C# and Java applications, again, who cares? how about do something really useful, namely, improve reception quality, longer battery life, water proof it. These are things I would like to see that are actually useful.
Care I go onto computers. Why on earth does Microsoft need to bundle every bloody thing into the OS? I mean, why can’t I install MovieMaker? the last time I looked, it isn’t a core fundamental feature of Windows, no programmes are going to fail to run without it. Care I go on, why install MSN Internet on a machine where the user has specified New Zealand as their locale even though MSN isn’t even offered in NZ!
As for this “Windows Filesystem”, give me a break, who cares about “meta-tags” and other unneeded crap. Who cares, if you are too stupid no to have saved the document in a logical directory on your hard disk then you should never own a computer full stop!
As for Microsoft Windows, there is no long term development map. Where does .NET framework fit into the development of Windows? isn’t it going to replace win32 eventually? if so, then bloody well come out with it. Map a long term stratergy, namely the replacement of Win32 with .NET and actually carry it out. If a few pissant little hickville companies can’t keep up, tough luck. Why should the whole IT sector grind to a sretching hault because a particular company doesn’t want to invest and port their product to a new API.
or is there anyone else who hates people who get excited? I mean, big deal, a watch running Windows. Thats about as usefull as a fridge with an internet terminal. NOW, if that fridge could work out that I am low on milk and automatically order some, then sure, great idea, however, simply haven’t a terminal built into a fridge, can anyone say “what the F*ck is up with that?”
should be:
or is there anyone else who hates people who get excited? I mean, big deal, a watch running Windows. Thats about as usefull as a fridge with an internet terminal. NOW, if that fridge could work out that I am low on milk and automatically order some, then sure, great idea, however, simply having a terminal built into a fridge, can anyone say “what the F*ck is up with that?”
and:
Care I go onto computers. Why on earth does Microsoft need to bundle every bloody thing into the OS? I mean, why can’t I install MovieMaker? the last time I looked, it isn’t a core fundamental feature of Windows, no programmes are going to fail to run without it. Care I go on, why install MSN Internet on a machine where the user has specified New Zealand as their locale even though MSN isn’t even offered in NZ!
should be:
Care I go onto computers. Why on earth does Microsoft need to bundle every bloody thing into the OS? I mean, why can’t I uninstall MovieMaker? the last time I looked, it isn’t a core fundamental feature of Windows, no programmes are going to fail to run without it. Care I go on, why install MSN Internet on a machine where the user has specified New Zealand as their locale even though MSN isn’t even offered in NZ!
—
Please, could some one add an edit feature so things can be corrected!
“I dream of the connected home and connected human as well.”
I’m sure the advertising and marketing community dreams of that too.
“OW, if that fridge could work out that I am low on milk and automatically order some, then sure, great idea,”
Unless you were wanting to get chocolate milk the next time, but your “smart” fridge doesn’t know that. I’m capable enough to get my own milk anyways.
I think most people here knocking Mr. Gates is that you are just jealous of his net worth…..I think its at 28 billion or something like that….and M$ complete has a net worth of 250+ billion…….I think your all jealous.
And don’t everyone go telling me because they are a monopoly…because everyone know is Sun or IBM or anyone else had the same market share and power they would be doing the same things as M$ is doing.
Well, “Online Services” were presented on my desktop since 1995. Still amused me to see Compuserve when I installed ’98 some time ago.
Are you some sort of idiot? I am not Jealous of him. The same things I hate about Bill Gates are the same things I hate about Larry Ellision and McNeallys “Lets beat up Microsoft instead of fixing problems with the products we sell” routine everytime there is a Java conference.
I hate Microsoft because of their over the top, exibitionism that the executives practice every opportuity there a new product launch. There exibitionism makes the Solaris 9 launch look like a low key event. Who the hell would take a company seriously who digs up has-been rock stars to jam a few cords and say at the end “like, Microsoft is like so cool”.
First of all, out of all the things I’ve seen, I would most like to have a TabletPC – especially when these babies are outfitted with Streets & Trips and a GPS receiver .. now *that* would kick ass! Much better than a PDA.
And don’t everyone go telling me because [Microsoft is] a monopoly…because everyone know is Sun or IBM or anyone else had the same market share and power they would be doing the same things as M$ is doing.
Something I’ve been saying all along. Microsoft is no different than the RIAA, MPAA, or any of the other Corporate Scum. However, most of you single out MS because … well, God only knows why. I guess it’s more convenient for you to give up Windows in your quest to fight Corporate America than it is your cable/TVs, CDs, and movies, and automobilles. Bunch of spineless wheenies
Either go all the way with it or don’t go there at all. MS is only a symptom of Corporate America, not the root of the problem.
>>>>I hate Microsoft because of their over the top, exibitionism that the executives practice every opportuity there a new product launch. There exibitionism makes the Solaris 9 launch look like a low key event. Who the hell would take a company seriously who digs up has-been rock stars to jam a few cords and say at the end “like, Microsoft is like so cool”.
Why the hell do you care about that — as long as their product launch are successful in terms of SALES.
The past few weeks have been all about “how great or how artistic the superbowl ads” were. Guess what? You can have the best artistic ads or the most critically acclaimed ads in the world — and your sales doesn’t increase (which is the whole point of advertising).
For example, Wendy’s critically acclaimed “Where’s the beef?” ad has stood the test of time and remained one the best commercials in the world. Yet, it didn’t help Wendy’s sales. The ordinary (artistically speaking) series of ads featuring Dave Thomas driving racing cars or talking about their square beef burgers (because they don’t cut corners) — those ads INCREASED Wendy’s sales.
Matthew Gardiner is right on the money!
I want my watch to tell me what time it is (and maybe the date too). I don’t want my fridge to do ANYTHING, except keep my food cold. I want a water- and shockproof mobile phone that I can use to call people with and send sms messages with, nothing more. I couldn’t care less about MSN Internet, AOL, MovieMaker and all that crap, I don’t want to install any of those things – I just want a basic OS installation that I can ADD stuff to.
Showing everything including the kitchen sink into appliances and OS installations is not progress per se. Unless it’s functional and needed/wanted it’s just bloat!
Still undiceded about the TabletPC. That may be a good idea.
let’s face it people he got rich doing what he loves wooo that’s luck. you can say he’s evil and blah blah but in his situation Would you do the same? siting here all high and mighty sure you have lots of ethics but money does weird things to people just look at washington
I say it’s just part of doing bussness how did he become a monpoly not good products I give you that but biz smarts (I’d do the same to but maybe not as slimy as he has), IBM made a mistake so he took advantage, oh Apple has a nice look lets rip it off which they got from Xerox you apple fans HINT HINT which I was one of rabid as could be, defending OS 7 for god’s sake made fun of everyware but I still held out I had a ton of different systems and my last one was a 9600 and they said OS X was going to be supported for sure next thing I know steve is saying nope you have to pay me tons of money for a new computer and none of my old ones will work. WTF? hello apple you have a history of supporting old hardware why oh why screw me now? so I said no way sold it all and switched to win2k pro/xp corp for free 
P.S. WIN2k is not that bad and around 2008 when they stop supporting it I’ll switch over
Wow two rants in one nite I’m on a roll lol
He seems to be reasonably intelligent and he has great ideas in some areas, but he tends to tone his talk down to a level where even a dead rat could comprehend it, so to anyone who knows anything about technology, he might seem like a blabbering idiot that makes money because of pure luck.
I wish opensource zealots would listen to him because he has some good ideas and the resources to pull them off.
He’s a great guy…no really. He donates millions upon millions of dollars a year to charity’s he knows that aren’t getting funding. He is trying as hard as he can to stear his company away from the money grubbing monopolist we all know and love it for being.
I’d say if there is a real enemy at Microsoft us linux users have to worry about it’s Steve “DevelopersDevelopersDevelopers” Ballmer…or at the very least Microsoft majority shareholders.
I think SPOT is a load of Small Household Information Technology.
i’m not jalous of him, after all i don’t hate Warent Buffet.
I hate the guy and the company microsoft because they killed most good tech startup i came in contact with and i lost (insert big number of hour here) just to maintain is junk OS or to redo work lost by the fault of is product.
In some way i would hate him a lot less if he would have broke my leg mafia style 2 time in a row than all the time he took (and will continue to take) from me over time.
And about the smartness, he is not. Most of my familly member are smarter than him (and those are no great reference to start with).
Matthew Gardiner: I mean, big deal, a watch running Windows.
In the 80s:
I mean, big deal, a universal network running via phone lines.
or
I mean, big deal, a computer with a GUI.
or
I mean, big deal, a color monitor.
Matthew Gardiner: or is there anyone else who hates people who get excited?
Or in other words, you also hate Mac fanboys after a MacWorld? :-). Excitement and hype is an effective way of advertising.
Matthew Gardiner: I don’t want a watch running an OS
I may not want power management software for Linux, but do you see me posting a post there saying “I don’t want a power management software for Linux” on that Intel thread?
Cellphones running C# and Java applications, again, who cares?
Apparently, a lot of people, but it is pretty much reversed for the super-exclusive, super-expensive hand phones.
how about do something really useful, namely, improve reception quality, longer battery life, water proof it.
For the last one, many handphone makers (Alcatel springs to mind) have done that. In addition to that, you can buy external third-party casis for Nokia phones that is water proof.
As for battery life, unless you find a way to make a portable, effeciant and cheap hydrogen fuel cell, forget it. And for reception quality, that pretty much lands in the hands of service providers and sateliate and radio technology in general. There will be blackspots, like it or not. Though matter what you try.
Why on earth does Microsoft need to bundle every bloody thing into the OS? I mean, why can’t I install MovieMaker?
Well, notice that Movie Maker 2 isn’t part of Windows, and I think that would be a trend from now on. Meanwhile on MSN, to use MSN you don’t neccessarily use MSN’s ISP. And if I can get Malaysian customization for MSN 7.0 (the one in XP – 8.0 is for pay), I’m darn hell sure you can get the same for NZ.
As for Microsoft Windows, there is no long term development map.
You would know? You work for Microsoft? My, my, I didn’t know that. Meanwhile, in comparison, you can say that Apple have absolutely no development map, short or long term.
Where does .NET framework fit into the development of Windows?
Acroading to most Windows rumour sites, Longhorn for consumer version. Windows CE .NET for PDAs and Windows Server 2003.
isn’t it going to replace win32 eventually?
Maybe longterm. Short term it would provide a supplement and/or a altenative.
if so, then bloody well come out with it.
Well, if it is not? Meanwhile, MS already provided tools, documentations, certification programs, etc for .NET. It is possible for a small hickville company to adapt to .NET before Windows actually comes with it. Meanwhile even if .NET comes with Windows, it wouldn’t take any faster for it to get adopted, .NET Framework still have problems to fix.
Why should the whole IT sector grind to a sretching hault because a particular company doesn’t want to invest and port their product to a new API.
True. But are you under the impression that Win32 itself isn’t evolving? Windows XP brought a lot of new APIs, particularly with Windows Messenger, and still many don’t use it yet (simply because it would be incompatible with previous versions of Windows).
Besides, I don’t understand why you aren’t receptive to new things. If everyone was like you, we would still be in the stone age. People laughed and scoffed at the idea of a GUI then – now most computers have them. People once said that there isn’t use for a portable watch. Then people started having them, and one day, we have wristwatch. Then the Swiss found digital watches, the Swiss scoffed at it, and the market fell to the Japanese.
If you plug out a light bulb, enter a time machine and go back 150,000 years ago, you have no use for that flimsy little device..
gumby: oh Apple has a nice look lets rip it off
Funny to note that Apple didn’t sue for the looks – Windows hardly looks like Macintosh at that time. But rather UI ideas Apple invented, mainly the menu bar.
davidsmith: I’d say if there is a real enemy at Microsoft us linux users have to worry about it’s Steve “DevelopersDevelopersDevelopers” Ballmer…or at the very least Microsoft majority shareholders.
You are particularly attracted to Bill Gates’ aura – a carefully designed personality. Many corporates does that, yin and yang. You get a agressive and a mind-mannered executive fighting for the same thing.
Now, on Steve Balmer, he was the one responsible in preventing an early Microsoft bankrupt. In the early days of Microsoft (pre-Balmer), Microsoft was so mismanaged, it makes Mandrakesoft looks so much better. As for the monopoly status, it can from Microsoft’s aggressive marketing and the act that they don’t have much, if any, competent competitors.
Shaquille and Bill Gates face-off ? (I hope Shaquille wins
Everything is built around that. In Web services, everything is pushed to XML form, and there is an idea of this new store that can store XML data. We are building Microsoft Office to understand XML in a native way. Office 11 does make a big step in that direction. There is more to come after that. This is the one architecture that is affecting everything I do.
The new Windows file system is much, much, more than a file system. It’s not just a database, and it’s not just a file system. It’s a new thing.
It requires thinking about transactions, messaging, databases, the Office software suite, and management plumbing. The new architecture requires that you have all those things lined up.
This is a *new* “InternetExplorer-Windows32 OS” bundling situation.
Anybody knows what kind of file system the man is talking about ?
actually, no. It isn’t in the same vein because Microsoft is not bundling SQL (Yukon) to replace its competitors and thus “illegally abusing their monopoly” or whatever bull the courts call it these days. Why? Microsoft still plans to sell Yukon as a stand-alone product.
WFS is based on the Yukon engine, however it does only offer (new) filesystem APIs. If you want full DB functionality and APIs, you gotta install Yukon. It’ll prolly be that way, let alone that running a database in a database would be terribly inefficient.
not bundling SQL (Yukon) to replace its competitors
I meant XML, Office suite, OS-messaging, and “management plumbing”. It seems like Microsoft will make XML the major format but also making some (XML capable) “default” applications to be impossible to uninstall at a user level.
Anyway, QT .ui files are in XML when pre-compiled. XML seems to be rather flexible and the future to come.
This is interesting >
http://www.sqlteam.com/item.asp?ItemID=1771
(quotes)
These changes mean tough choices. Microsoft removed two features from the next version of Office, partly to focus on the next release of the SQL Server database software, Ballmer explained. I’m fine with that. Office has plenty of features for me. Although I am excited to use the new version of Outlook with it’s improved support for multiple mail accounts.
is that the company also is banking on a new technology code-named Yukon “that will be key to our next-generation storage, database, file system, email, and user interface work,” Ballmer wrote.
There are a million reasons why people don’t like Microsoft and Bill Gates, but most of them are bandwagon emotions that they have picked up of of other people’s views and/or experiences..
Most of them have missed the point.
If Microsoft could just fix the crap that they sell now, then I would buy. They add this feature and that feature, and all the while a feature that they added 2 years ago – still isn’t working.
They dream about watches and god knows what else doing this that and the other and they cant even make thier current software work…
When I buy something I want it to work – I return it, if it does not, Microsoft have gotten rich from, and hide behind EULA’s that take away my right to return broken software.
It is just plain wrong that somebody can legally get away with selling substandard, broken junk and call it quality software – and charge me and other users for the privilage.
Lets be completely honest, if you bought a music CD and one track out of ten skipped and jumped and was almost unplayable – you would take it back and demand, either, a new one of your money back. But after you have done so you will quite happily switch on your computer and and accept that it is OK when a program crashes??
Strange – eh? Not only have they got rich from this sub-standard software but they have managed to convince the masses that it is normal for it to not work properly??
ODD!!
Now that is why I will not purchase Microsoft products and dislike strongly the man behind it.
Credit to him though – he’s made alot of money selling junk.
Hmm, come to think of it though, there is a lot of cash in the junk trade..
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Now that is why I will not purchase Microsoft products and dislike strongly the man behind it.
Credit to him though – he’s made alot of money selling junk.
Hmm, come to think of it though, there is a lot of cash in the junk trade..
//
Now thats just a bs comment……we all know their software isn’t perfect….but then again nothing is……if it was such junk then they would not have the market share on the desktop they have.
Grow up you fuking loser.
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we all know their software isn’t perfect….but then again nothing is……if it was such junk then they would not have the market share on the desktop they have.
Grow up you fuking loser.
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I rest my case LOL