Hanging with Bill Gates at CES 2008

We just got back from hanging out with our old friend Bill -- possibly for the final time during his tenure heading Microsoft. Check back shortly for our full exit interview. Gonna miss you, Bill.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jan 7th 2008 3:53PM]

Not a very "manly" sitting position . . .

[Dino @ Jan 7th 2008 3:57PM]

well i don't see any breasts on him, so i don't think that's anything to worry about.

[linumax @ Jan 7th 2008 4:02PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man

Can't find any reference to sitting position as a defining characteristic of male human beings. Would be glad if you enlighten us.

[dude 217 @ Jan 7th 2008 4:06PM]

Yeah, but his sweater is worth more than your life.

[Brent @ Jan 7th 2008 4:07PM]

If you're all gonna give Tuba a hard time I want you to sit like Bill is and tell me how your balls feel. Actually, just keep that to yourself, I really don't want to know how your balls feel.

[Ronan @ Jan 7th 2008 4:23PM]

Very Compact and snug actually, if your wearing the right boxers.


OHHH, you said DONT tell you...

[Speddy @ Jan 7th 2008 4:29PM]

That "man" has more money than God. He can sit wherever, however, and even in a violet, fuzzy, v-neck sweater (see his CES Speech).

Though, if I had that much money, and wanted to be taken seriously, I'd wear Oxxford, Armani or other "top" suit. And a tie. Gotta have a power tie.

(I bet in that photo, Bill is like asking, "Hey, mind if I only take Veronica on my yacht, for a 3 hour cruise?")

[Jevanzz @ Jan 7th 2008 4:34PM]

"Though, if I had that much money, and wanted to be taken seriously, I'd wear Oxxford, Armani or other "top" suit. And a tie. Gotta have a power tie."

I think he dresses like that to seem a little less formal, and a little more 'uncle-ish'.

[Sander de Regt @ Jan 7th 2008 4:38PM]

"Though, if I had that much money, and wanted to be taken seriously"
If you have that much money, why would you even bother about being taken seriously?
In High School when bullied, you had to find consolation in the hope that someday your bully was going to say "want fries with that?" while you passed through the drive through in your convertible.
When you've reached Bill Gates level, I think you're pretty much passed that.

[Blaktornado @ Jan 7th 2008 4:51PM]

Ignorance is strong in this one.

[richard @ Jan 7th 2008 4:55PM]

linumax, sex and gender have two different meanings... though people do get confused with the definitions often.

[Envy @ Jan 7th 2008 5:57PM]

Not very manly???

Really, well give me the status, power, and money that Bill Gates has and you can call my sitting position as gay as you want.

While you're at it, make fun of my haircut as well.

In the end it's still you making fun of how he sits and him laughing all the way to the bank...or whatever island he feels like visiting today on his private jet.

[Brent @ Jan 7th 2008 3:55PM]

OK, I like Bill and I like Ryan, but is it just me or does it look like they're playing footsie?

[Todd @ Jan 7th 2008 3:55PM]

Caption contest!

"Ryan, let's trade songs on out Zunes..."

[quandmeme @ Jan 7th 2008 4:42PM]

Ryan, this was a great idea. Post the substanceless photo first so all the trolls (sure, like me) can get it out of our system. Then when you post about what you actually talked about we can have a discussion. Love 'im or hate 'im, the world from his vantage point is something to consider.

[ScareyJ @ Jan 7th 2008 5:20PM]

"I'm a Mac (pause) come on Bill, play along and say it ... 'Im a PC'"

That or he just repeatedly asked Bill why the XBox Live service has been so lousy.

[PaulXT @ Jan 7th 2008 3:57PM]

Nice that you had some 1-on-1 time with him. He's an admirable man, all things considered.

[jus10 @ Jan 7th 2008 4:35PM]

All I can say or think is WTF?

[Fraggle.Rock @ Jan 7th 2008 5:13PM]

PaulXT is spot-on... anyone can have their thoughts on Microsoft and their business practices, but Gates has accomplished an array of amazing feats. The amount of his wealth that he and Melinda have put toward academic scholarships, medical research, and international aid is simply astounding.

A few months back when the videos segments of Gates and Jobs together at the same forum on stage, and the difference between the two was stark and quite enlightening. Jobs came off as a fairly pretentious a*%hole, and Gates seemed pretty down to earth, and a decent (albeit geeky) guy. One has to wonder, with all the money that Jobs has made over the years, what has he given back to the community, what is his legacy? (beyond product contributions)

Something to ponder at least...

[PaulXT @ Jan 7th 2008 5:55PM]

My thoughts exactly. All my gripes with MS aside (Vista re-activation, anyone?), Bill has changed the world, and is giving back through his own wealth and time. Can't take that away from him.

[Scott @ Jan 7th 2008 5:59PM]

Did you know that Al Capone open soup kitchens for the homeless? I don't exactly think of him as a noble person either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Capone#Capone.27s_image

[roole @ Jan 7th 2008 6:01PM]

@Fraggle.Rock

Excellent point. I'll readily admit that I love Apple, and I dislike MSFT. However, what Bill Gates has done with his wealth is simply astounding. Indeed, BG's presence, dedication, and commitment led Warren Buffett to chip in another **$40 billion** to the Gates foundation.

For this reason alone, the fact that MSFT is a monopoly is (sort of) palatable to me.

Billionaires like Steve Jobs and his ilk -- for all their fancy-pantsy philosophizing -- should hang their heads in shame. GIVE IT AWAY, PEOPLE!

[Fredster @ Jan 7th 2008 3:59PM]

I bet you will remeber this moment for the rest of your life, something to tell the kids! I wish i could shake his hand one day, and tell him that he has done a great job.

[Brent @ Jan 7th 2008 4:00PM]

It's not the first time Ryan's sat down with Bill. There's gotta be a half dozen interviews on this site...

[Fredster @ Jan 7th 2008 6:13PM]

Sure, but there will not be a same one, Bill being THE boss. From now on he's "just" Bill Gates, if you know what i mean

[Halfmad @ Jan 7th 2008 3:59PM]

Bill: "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around my eyes, look into my eyes, you're under. My name is Steve Jobs, I think Microsoft products are far superior.." - (might only get it if your from the UK and a fan of Little Britain)

[Senor_Tom @ Jan 7th 2008 4:23PM]

I get it!:D
I can just see that sketch now, in fact i can see Bill himself doing it.

[Ronan @ Jan 7th 2008 4:25PM]

Yes, you could call it an inside joke


muhahahahah Americans dont know what we are on about....

[Jevanzz @ Jan 7th 2008 4:35PM]

Little Britain is in fact moving to America, but 'cause of the writer's strikes they can't do it! Britain rocks \m/

[OnlyShawn @ Jan 7th 2008 4:00PM]

It is a shame that we will be losing his leadership abilities. It sounds strange, I know, but the world will be poorer for Bill not doing what he does best, *even though* he is doing things that are 'good'.

Comparative advantage: not just important in econ101.

[Billy Gun @ Jan 7th 2008 4:16PM]

I agree, everyone on earth owe Bill the fredom of sowtware choice, I think Windows as an open OS, eveyone can make a software for it, and you can put Windows on any hardware you want. Sure IT's paid, but this makes money for developing new programs, and make progresses as well not stop on time like linux and their software. I love the Media Center (used on Xp now on Vista); Vista; Tablet PC; Surface; Zune (the flash ones I didn't like, The 80gb one is the best, but I need a 160gb one).

But I'm happy to know that bill will still work on MS as an consultant.

[Scott @ Jan 7th 2008 5:59PM]

The freedom of software choice? What part of illegal bundling and monopolization practices and abuse of OEM's doesn't make sense to you? How was that good for ANYONE but Microsoft?

[Ayman T @ Jan 7th 2008 4:05PM]

Do you think he asked bill
"SO HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE THE 2ND RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD AFTER ALL THESE YEARS"
or
"I got this really cool idea, i just need a billion or 2"

[Brent @ Jan 7th 2008 4:09PM]

Somehow I doubt the guy that's trying to give all his money away cares that he's the SECOND richest man...

[Ayman T @ Jan 7th 2008 4:21PM]

I guess....
but why doesn't he make Microsoft products cheaper or free (Xbox Live, Office, Vista). and some people might donate the money

[ReductiMat @ Jan 7th 2008 4:48PM]

With comments like the above, I find it hard to believe you aren't a captain of industry.

True, it may be hard for the twelve year old to break into those ranks, but if anyone has the moxie, it's you.

[ryan looks queer @ Jan 7th 2008 4:04PM]

Wow look its moby in tight jeans playing footsie with king of the geeks.

[JAmerican @ Jan 7th 2008 4:06PM]

Ask him why the CES keynote was great and if the Warner announcement as key to the announcement of a said Xbox 360 Ultimate. Warner Bros postpwned the 360 Ultimate. :)

[JAmerican @ Jan 7th 2008 4:07PM]

"not" as great

[Sam Stone @ Jan 7th 2008 4:07PM]

It would be hilarious if Ryan had to take a call on a iPhone....

[Mr. Vanker @ Jan 7th 2008 4:12PM]

I do half wonder what he would do? or it might be even more awkward if Bill had to take a call on HIS iPhone... I'm not sure what I would do if I were in a position to see that in real life.

[Chris @ Jan 7th 2008 4:13PM]

It would be funnier if Bill had to take a call on a iPhone....

[Scared_of_Creepy_Bill @ Jan 7th 2008 4:09PM]

When did Bill become a Creepy Old Man? He looks more like the guy who gets turned down to play Santa at the mall than he does the former leader of Microsoft.

[Brent @ Jan 7th 2008 4:12PM]

Fashion faux-pas: Wearing a beard longer than your hair.

[Nick Schmidt @ Jan 7th 2008 4:16PM]

Awesome!!!

[James Cameron @ Jan 7th 2008 4:14PM]

50 Billion Dollar Man. With that kind of money, the man could go under the knife and live forever.

[Muralidhar @ Jan 7th 2008 4:22PM]

OMG Ryan....the way you are sitting and color of your shoes looks awkward.

[Ronan @ Jan 7th 2008 4:29PM]

so's yer maw

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Jan 7th 2008 4:19PM]

The man just looks like a genius. It's gotta be very sad for him to watch MSFT fall from their perch at the top of the world.

[James Cameron @ Jan 7th 2008 4:27PM]

I hope it's a video interview. It better be.