Bill Gates, Engadget reader

We don't mean to toot our own horn or anything -- we'd be kind of surprised if Bill Gates remembered us at all (even though we've interviewed him twice now) -- but it still kind of warmed our cold, robotic hearts a little to hear him namecheck us first when asked by Channel9 what sites he reads every day (the clip is at about 11:00). So Bill, if you're reading this, we dig what you're doing on the daily too, man. Like, some of us use Windows all the time.

[Thanks, Kyle & Antonio]

Watch

[Jeff King @ Feb 16th 2006 4:23PM]

Hey Bill!

Bill Gates rock! Keep it up, GO HD-DVD, GO Vista, Go Xbox, Go XNA, Go Visual Studio, Go Office, Go Outlook, Go IE, Go Apple..... wait, for clarification, I meant green apples I eat daily while reading engadget.

Gates has one hell of a portfolio.

Jeff.

[bryan ribas @ Feb 16th 2006 4:25PM]

Yes we use it because we have to.

[dave @ May 20th 2007 5:51PM]

i beg to differ. i can do all i want on ubuntu 7.04 and i dont ever need to go back to windows. and i actually do

[nickfawwaz3 @ Jan 10th 2008 10:27PM]

wow.. are you serious?

[Adil @ Feb 16th 2006 4:27PM]

Bill Gates is just THAT cool :)

[Jordan @ Feb 16th 2006 4:28PM]

Hi Bill. In your honor:

I'm just a bill.
Yes, I'm only a bill.
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee,
But I know I'll be a law some day
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill.

- Schoolhouse Rock

[J @ Feb 16th 2006 4:30PM]

Bill,

If you are reading this, I'll be over after dinner and I'll bring my Playstation.

Tootles.

[Ben @ Feb 16th 2006 4:31PM]

yeah yeah Bill Gates

ill switch back to Windows for a billion...only a billion...cmooooon

[Finished.Law.School @ Feb 16th 2006 4:34PM]

Just in case:
Thanks for XP Pro. I really like it. I do not know why I should bother with Vista though. Windows 98 and 2000 definitely needed the update but I do not see any reason to get Vista over XP Pro.
And please hurry up and make an iPod killer. I want something with iPod functionality and size (or lack of size) but I do not want to be forced to use iTunes in order to get all of the functionality that the iPod offers. I must admit that I am not a fan of Apple generally though...

[David T @ Feb 16th 2006 4:36PM]

BILL YOU ROCK! :D

tell your MS boys to work hard on polishing software, though. a lot of it is great and has many great ideas, but take it a step further and make every piece of MS software a masterpiece. especially on the Windows Mobile side where there's a lot of power but little organisation, making the features too complex to find and use.

[Mark @ Feb 16th 2006 4:36PM]

I guess even Bill has some free time at work!

[Nick @ Feb 16th 2006 4:37PM]

Even some of us iMac users view Engadget daily too ;)

[christy @ Feb 16th 2006 4:38PM]

Don't lie about using wondows. The stink of non-truthiness doesn't look good on you.

[happy gilmore @ Feb 16th 2006 4:40PM]

hey bill,

i've recommended your operating systems and other productivity software to friends and employers. i've made you a lot of money. when can you send me my commission check?

also, i need a good electrical engineering job at microsoft. hook a brother up!!!

[DaLa @ Feb 16th 2006 4:41PM]

In the slim slim change Sir William is reading the comments... Bill dont let the RIAA and MPAA have its way with windows... If you DRM the heck out of it, you will isolate your fan base who depends on fair use. And if you do that, we will never go vista.

[Erik Porter @ Feb 16th 2006 4:43PM]

If you want to see the mention of Engadget directly, check out this clip.

http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=163166&pvrid=237

[Richard @ Feb 16th 2006 4:43PM]

How do you get a little gold star?

Maybe Bill can get them - if he posts.

You guys should post this on that new engadget mobile site. Bill knows where his next growth spurt will come from so he's probably over there right now!

[Joseph Cooleth @ Feb 16th 2006 4:47PM]

I'm confused... are we supposed to like Microsoft now?

[win hater @ Feb 16th 2006 4:47PM]

windows stinks! microsoft stinks! here that bill gates

[Billgates of Borg @ Feb 16th 2006 4:50PM]

greetings Blogoshpere,

I will confirm that I do read engadget daily. I enjoy the site, but there are a few changes that WILL take place. First, no more Apple topics of any kind. No iPod, no iMac, no OSX, nothing. OSX is a blatant copy of Vista, and any mention of that os will not be tolerated.

Second, no mention of Sony or Nintendo. These companies are anti-American, and should be avoided at all costs. The Xbox360 is all you can discuss.

Finally, a word of warning, since open source will destroy the software industry, no one using Firefox should be allowed to access this site.

That is all. Thank you.

[mpmaley @ Feb 16th 2006 4:55PM]

Gimme Vista plz :|


ps: pay for my college tuition >_

[WarMace @ Feb 16th 2006 5:03PM]

Hello Bill!

If you can hear me now, please publish a new Mechwarrior!

And push for triple monitor support!

-Warmace

[William @ Feb 16th 2006 5:04PM]

It's great that everyone is trying to do some butt-kissing. Like Mr. Gates will really give you or me a gift or something. : )

[Matthew Baggett @ Feb 16th 2006 5:08PM]

Dear Bill, in the unlikely event you would actually take the time of day to read this, I impose on to you my plea:

For once, just ONCE don't make yet another rehash of the same old shit.
Make it reliable.
Don't fucking patent everything to screw everyone else in the ass.
Bring in third parties of Coders to work in a similar method to that of opening the source. This would keep the system's code within microsoft, but would mean development and bug protection would be vastly enhanced.

I have seen the other side.

Unless Vista is SIGNIFICANTLY better than XP is, and isn't bogged down with viral problems and more bloat (Office comes on 3 CD's, for christs sake!) than I can tolerate, I will perminantly switch to Linux and Macintosh. What with CEDEGA improving rapidly and other developments happening faster to the opposing operating systems than that of Microsoft's flagship OS's, I belive that another payment to Microsoft will be out of the question.

Oh yeah, charging on the WMA licence to apple is dirty, man.

Cut the amount of crap out of windows. And please, for gods sake, get rid of the browser-integrated updater!

Signed-

Matthew Baggett

P.s - Think different ;-)

Every other closed-minded microsoft fan boy can just eat shit.

Anyone with a valid, non-biased opinion want to challenge what I have said? No? Good.

[Steve Jobs @ Feb 16th 2006 5:16PM]

Hi Bill.

[dudeInAmerica @ Feb 16th 2006 5:18PM]

Hiya - Bill..

Opensource - dont hate the player, join the game. Give us a rope then sell us the cow.

How bout a free verion of Windows (maybe make 2000 open source) shows faith and that your are an alright guy to us evil genius college programmers looking to unseat you. We are the future !(googles,saleforces,milliondollarpageseses)

LEAVE THE XBOX 360 ALONE! No more hardware addons. Who cares about HD-DVD? No one appliance will control the living room...ever. One more update you can add: Release a .XEX signing kit for homebrew programmers, you can lock out the cool money making stuff (Live, wireless, etc). We dont care and we'll ove you for it. And one last 360 thing....Derrr..INTERNET BROWSER!!!

How about a free stripped down version of office? Educational discounts > $0 are still to high when you are eating cheese and crackers.

Dont hate steve..He actually listened to us. Creativity is his..Productivity is yours!

Do these things and you'll even be popular on myspace.com (the future...unfortunenately)

Love the philantrophy (tax write-offs) stuff.

Thanks for reading.

[Mike @ Feb 16th 2006 5:20PM]

Bill,

You're a good man. Keep up the good work through your foundation.

Cheers!

BTW, Matthew you make some good points but you focus too much on the negative.

PS. I would like to see Jobs do something positive for humankind. Uhmmm... guess not because he's so in love with himself.

[Alex @ Feb 16th 2006 5:24PM]

I you are reading this thank you for drm, hdcp and all other great stuff that will poison our life .

Great Job Bill !!!

[Charlie @ Feb 16th 2006 5:25PM]

Hey Engadget, I read you every day but i dont get my picture and an article on your site! I'm hurt

[ed @ Feb 16th 2006 5:38PM]

Of course it is in WMV format >:o

[granny down east @ Feb 16th 2006 5:39PM]

dude in america wrote
"maybe make 2000 open source"
Now that is a great idea.

[apeguero @ Feb 16th 2006 5:41PM]

Bill Gates reads Engadget on a daily basis? Wow. Way to go. Nice to see I have something in common with the richest man in the world which is good taste for blog sites :)

Don't know what else to say without sounding immature and stupid by insulting some of the products his company makes, so I'll just shut my trap and keep enjoying Engadget. You guys ROCK!!!

Oh yes, Bill, don't pay the EU a single cent (http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,124628,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp) . Tell those boys across the pond if they don't like Windows, then use LINUX :)

[Robert Preseau @ Feb 16th 2006 5:42PM]

Hmmmm... Why limit the deets to BG? Why not let all of us be featured as Engadget readers? ...and then we can start an emo blog about cellphone love ...and then we can sip lattes at Starbucks ...and...

Robert Preseau, Engadget reader

[phi @ Feb 16th 2006 5:42PM]

I'm still waiting for a post from engadget saying I read it everyday. Oh wait, I'm nobody :P

[narco @ Feb 16th 2006 5:45PM]

It's weird seeing Bill Gates talk in an interview, it's hard to picture him as a real person because he's so loaded. Sounds like a real down-to-earth person, especially in the Engadget interviews I've read.

I do love my Mac, but I don't know why people have to hate the other operating system so much. If you don't use it, then don't worry about it.

Fishes,
narco.

[Mike @ Feb 16th 2006 5:49PM]

Bill knows that there's no defense for the crane kick.

[Peter Rojas @ Feb 16th 2006 5:50PM]

Actually, we're not just singling out Mr. Gates -- from now on we're going to be highlighting a different Engadget reader a day. We only started with Bill G. because we're going in descending order of net worth. Just be patient -- it should only take about 13,000 years to feature every single one of you!

[saj @ Feb 16th 2006 5:52PM]

why are you charging us �69.99 for xbox 360 hard drive you scam, that's a rip off you scam of the earth.

[Kevin @ Feb 16th 2006 5:57PM]

Mr Gates thanks for the great software! There have been ups and downs, but more ups. Looking forward to Vista :)

I am impressed also with the aid you are providing to the rest of the world. We need more well-off people sharing the love!

[Steve Ballmer @ Feb 16th 2006 6:05PM]

GIVE IT UP FOR Meeeehhhhhhhh!

[Kiwi @ Feb 16th 2006 6:12PM]

HEY BILL,

Do you ever use Bit Torrent? Ever used any P2P?

You should post a comment, you'll blow all these geeks minds.

[Ryan @ Feb 16th 2006 6:13PM]

Now I know Steve Jobs isn't Time Magazine's Man of the Year, but Apple rawks a lot harder than Windows. Granted, it's not entirely Microsoft's fault, but man, Windows is like a snail compared to OSX.

[Azi @ Feb 16th 2006 6:15PM]

"You know, something that Steve Jobs hasn't already thought off like 10 years ago." #23

Thats the most rediculous thing anyone has ever said, ever.

[Angel Lallave @ Feb 16th 2006 6:33PM]

Hi bill

Even though there are a lot of H8rs ( some of which are surprisingly smart) people dont understand the concept of running the biggest company in the world.

They expect you to make changes and bend over and take it up the ass. They have NO BUSINESS SKILLS whatsoever.

Keep being inovative. As long as you make your MICROSOFT products work together like they have. Its all good.

P.S. Windows mobile 2003, did suck though! but thanks for 5.0

[BILL GATES himself @ Feb 16th 2006 6:42PM]

Hi everbody, just doing some reading and saw I made headlines...and then I saw everyone posting comments.

Thanks for your support!

as for the MICROSOFT haters...dont be jealous that I rule the world. Your just mad because you didn't think of it first.

PRETTY SOON EVERYONE WILL OWN A 360. and no one will have to use a SONY product again.

Does anyone want a job?

[MacAddict (non recovering) @ Feb 16th 2006 6:44PM]

Bill,

Love the work with the foundation. You really are changing the world. I know you are helping our education system, but it needs a lot more. Get your rich buddies to create some tax write offs for themselves. If you ever need volunteers, I'm in. I do alot of volunteering in my area but nothing compares to your foundation. America needs your help.

[ScottE @ Feb 16th 2006 6:50PM]

Bill! Love the Software.

Bill, PayPal Me Money, Please?

[e-mail]

Come on Bill, You know you want to.

[Lollie D Com @ Feb 16th 2006 6:52PM]

Bill I know you're aware we're about 7 years over due for a pandemic. And I don't have to tell you fear may very easily turn to panic if our next pandemic is a bad one. If everyone knew that fear has a purpose, that it's an alarm clock to wake us up to get educated and prepared for what we very likely may face -- then they would take action and get prepared. However, a lot of people only think fear is to suffer or for entertainment (movies, games etc.) so they put off thinking about getting prepared, let alone doing it all because NO ONE is telling everyone how to correctly use their fear. You're Bill Gates. If you decided to get that message to the masses before the pandemic gets here, you could get millions of ostriches to pull their head out of the sand and get busy preparing for it.

[BILL GATES himself @ Feb 16th 2006 6:57PM]

HI EVERYBODY THI IS BILL GATES

I will paypal everyone $1000 that hates SONY.
post your emails

[e-mail] I've sent you money...dont use them on drugs or Sony stuff. IF YOU MUST...BUY DRUGZ...they are less damaging than Sony products.

I once did crack I dont like to admit it, its embarrasing. I once bought a minidisc player...I new it was time to check into rehab.

[mroach @ Feb 16th 2006 7:01PM]

All I want in Windows is CR or LF line ending support in Notepad and full Unicode support across the OS and all MS products. Oh yeah, it'd also be nice to pick one way that command line switches go. Having to figure out if i'm using a slash or a dash or whatever is a bother sometimes. Thanks in advance.