Engadget's farewell card to Bill G

Well, Bill, it's just about quittin' time out here on the left coast, so with your final day at Microsoft drawing to a close, we wanted to present you with a little farewell card. It's not much, but we hope you like it.

Bill,
I can't believe you're already taking off! They even going to let your pension fully vest? Just kidding, I think heard somewhere that you're worth a lot of money or something. Thanks for the Xbox 360 and for always being so damn friendly -- promise I'll try my best to think only of Allchin whenever I bluescreen. Come visit soon and KIT, okay?
Yours Truly, Ryan


Dear Bill,
We didn't know each other too well, you were a bit older than me, and we ran in different circles anyways, but I just wanted to take this one last opportunity to inform you how incredibly foolhardy that whole Harvard business was. Seriously, what were you thinking? A college degree is an absolute minimum in the modern world, and with your intelligence you really could've been somebody... those mainframes aren't going to program themselves! What the world needs is stick-to-it-ive-ness and Computer Science majors, not a bunch of wannabe entrepreneurs. Sure, you ended up doing alright for yourself, but I can't help but think that with only half a college education you only reached half your potential.
-Regretfully yours, Paul


Bill,
Can't say I've ever had the luxury of swinging by your office, but I have to admit, I really enjoyed all those press calls. And look, we both know you should have left at the top of Microsoft's game and all, but don't pull a Michael Jordan and show back up wearing a Zune uniform next year, okay? Live a little. And don't spend it all in one place.
-Darren


Bill,
Can't believe it's that time already. Is this really goodbye, or are you going to follow your good friend Hov and come back wearing the 4-5, maybe after dropping a Lil' Wayne "A Trilli" remix? Just a thought, something to drop on your Zune one of these days. Anyway, good luck, and thanks for not holding that one time I let someone borrow disk 7 of my Windows 3.1 installer against me.
-Richard


So long, Bill, and thanks for all the sweaters.
-Don


Bill,
My scratched-up SPOT watch has seen better days, and without you around to promote these sorts of fun, unprofitable, over-the-top geeky projects in the boardroom, I don't know who's going to carry the torch. It's a loss for me personally and a greater loss for large-wristed technophiles the world over -- I think I speak for a lot of folks when I say I wish it was Vista packing up and leaving instead of you!
-Chris


Bill,
You've had a good run. Through the great times (DOS) and those not so great times (ME), I won't be forgetting you any time soon. Oh, and that whole not being the #1 richest guy in the world anymore thing? You're still number one to me, Bill. And frankly, that's all that should matter.
-Dante


Hey Bill,
I know we didn't always get along, what with me getting an Apple //e back in the day instead of an AT box with MS-DOS. But let's face it: you always had the better games. And for that, I owe you one. If you'll forgive me, I've got a watch here to send you away. A nice one, from 1972, made by this company called Commodore Business Machines (remember them?). Digital, too! Figured you'd dig that.
-Joshua Fruhlinger


G'luck Bill, I hope you crack the problems of world poverty and suffering as quickly as I cracked Vista.
Love, Thomas


Bill:
I know we haven't really talked since, well, ever, but you were always like the older, geekier brother who didn't know I existed, and it's your passion for natural interfaces like speech and touch that's inspired me to constantly scream at and physically destroy my various computers over the years. That, and several of your products. I'll miss you, man -- hit me up on Live sometime.
-Yours, Nilay

PS. I know you and 50 have had some tough times lately, but I just want you to know that I'll always think of you as original G-Unit. That tape is a lie, man.


Dear Bill,
I'll remember you fondly as one of the driving forces behind my decision to switch to a Mac when I was 13 years old. The divide your business practices helped to build between "creatives" and "suits" will be forever etched in my mind, and your choices as the head of Microsoft will always represent a high-water mark of polarizing nerd ideology. Still, I'll never forget building my first PC, or booting up The Bard's Tale on my XT in glorious CGA -- and for that, I'm eternally grateful.
Your close friend, Joshua Topolsky


[Readers, feel free to leave your own in comments.]

[Kyle @ Jun 27th 2008 7:57PM]

Adios, Bill. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[Eli @ Jun 27th 2008 8:13PM]

Hey, my Vista Ultimate box didn't come with any fish in it! I want what he got!

[Alber1690 @ Jun 27th 2008 10:45PM]

Mine did...they were a bunch of Windows Live Betas...

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jun 27th 2008 11:27PM]

hehe . . . get it? BETAS? Nobody?

Actually, I chuckled. Both at the betas (albeit a groaner), and at the HHGG reference. :)

Later, Bill, the thing I'll miss most are the spoof videos which I'm sure were your idea.

[IndiaTech @ Jun 28th 2008 1:06AM]

Nerds...

[Scott @ Jun 28th 2008 1:36AM]

The fish are actually called bettas, btw. But yes, very nerdy. Never heard that one before...

[Ahmed Alzayani @ Jun 28th 2008 2:12AM]

Bill,

Thanks for windows, but this is a closed chapter now, and I am really excited about the new chapter.

I like your charter, and how you still humble and friendly after your $$$.

PS: I would really like to see you spare some change for R&D laps, I think the word really need to make thinks more efficient. Just me!

PS PS: plz don’t play the “political” game.

THANKS and regards,
Ahmed Alzayani

[jimbo @ Jun 27th 2008 7:58PM]

I can feel the pain that you guys are going through to say anything nice about Microsoft.

[Ryan Block @ Jun 27th 2008 8:00PM]

Oh please.

[Ellianth @ Jun 27th 2008 8:01PM]

lol jimbo. That made me laugh.

[Striker @ Jun 27th 2008 8:02PM]

Wow, jackass, Microsoft and Bill Gates are a better company and person than Apple and Steve Jobs will ever be.

[John @ Jun 27th 2008 8:40PM]

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

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Jun 27th 2008 8:50PM]

Ryan, you guys rock. You are doing much better posts than Giz too. They are not really saying good of Bill Gates,just talking about microsoft. I luv engadget.

[GadgetTamer @ Jun 27th 2008 8:50PM]

Even if you do like Apple you have to thank Microsoft for keeping the industry moving. Without Microsoft there would be nothing to fight over. Apple would be on top in everything and OS advancement would stop right there. It's because of Microsoft that OS X is even here.

And by the way, Microsoft will always be better than Apple.

[Justin Kohler @ Jun 27th 2008 10:23PM]

I have to say, even though Mocrosoft is a decent company, Apple is far better.

[Justin Kohler @ Jun 27th 2008 10:24PM]

However, Bill Gates does totally rock and was the only good part of Microsoft. I can't believe Steve Ballmer will be taking over :(

[d @ Jun 27th 2008 10:47PM]

can we please leave the mac-pc debate alone for one day? we all know (ok, i all know) macs are cool and hip and my personal preference but so are zunes... maybe not...
but definitely xbox's
and the majority of personal computers
so yay for Bill Gates, have a happy life

[Kizorblade @ Jun 28th 2008 5:59AM]

Windows or OS X?

It's mostly a personal opinion, but this isn't about the OSs, this is about (as Engadget calls him) Bill G.
It's not the time to fight over which one is better. It is the time to celebrate a innovator - which undeniably Bill Gates is.

[Yousef Reda @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:27AM]

That made me laugh just the same, jimbo.

And... Windows or OS X? I'll take neither, for as long as I can, but I'll offer no alternative because that would take this comment trail down... another trail than it's intended to go down.

[Evangelion @ Jun 27th 2008 7:59PM]

Nice :)

[StreetStealth @ Jun 28th 2008 1:01PM]

Dear Bill,

Thanks for the Intellimouse. Sure, a lot of folks have given Microsoft flack over the years for some unreliable products here and there, be it crash-happy Windows ME or the RROD-plagued XBox 360. But to me, Microsoft will always mean the most reliable and best-designed mouse I've ever owned, the faithful little five-button scroller with its ever-vigilant glowing red bottom. I've had mine since XP was the new hotness, and it still tracks and clicks like the day it came home from the store.

It's a seemingly simple thing, done near-flawlessly. That to me represents the true potential of the company you founded, a spirit I hope is carried on by those following in your footsteps.


Streetstealth

PS

I use it on my Mac sometimes. Don't tell Steve Jobs, but the Intellimouse is WAY better than the Mighty Mouse.

[Ellianth @ Jun 27th 2008 8:01PM]

You guys better do a day of farewells to yahoo employees when they leave. Such Microsoft fanboys...

Actually nevermind, they have dozens of employees leaving daily :p.

[maty @ Jun 27th 2008 8:44PM]

That and they don't have the same impact Bill Gates did in almost everyone's everyday life. You can't escape Microsoft anywhere in the western world.

See ya' Bill; good luck with the charitable work and thanks for making technology accessible for all.

/Cue hug PC and Xbox.... *sniffle*

Fancy sharing a bit of that $58 billion? At least buy me a beer? I did buy your stuff 'n' all.

[Alex McKee @ Jun 27th 2008 8:03PM]

Bye Bill. I'm an Apple Fanboy, but you were the best part of Microsoft. I really am sad to see you leaving the company to *gasp* Steve Ballmer... oh well.

[CCP @ Jun 27th 2008 8:03PM]

Godspeed Billy. I'm sure you'll solve the world's problems with the same expediency your buddy Ballmer will run your old company into the ground.

[huggles @ Jun 27th 2008 8:04PM]

i feel so old... I remember playing Kings Quest on MS DOS waaaaay back when I was so young... good times.

all the best Bill!

[Fubar @ Jun 27th 2008 8:07PM]

Bill:

Don't spend it all in one place.

Unless that place is the Gates foundation--you guys are doing some damn good work there.

--Fubar

[Nestor C. @ Jun 27th 2008 8:08PM]

Thank you very much for everything, your legacy reaches us all.

[armyjon99 @ Jun 27th 2008 8:10PM]

Thanks for all your hard work Bill making the industry what it is today.

Funny thing your leaving the industry and I'm entering, enjoy retirement from Microsoft.

Jon

[JoeBob @ Jun 27th 2008 8:13PM]

Dear Bill,

Thank you for doing so much for the world. If it weren't for you, computers would be about 50 years ahead of where they are now. Thanks for helping those old people who can't keep up with the world sane.

Regards, an Apple Fan

[Kyle @ Jun 27th 2008 11:19PM]

for the record when people thank Bill Gates for all the good things he has done for the world, I don't think Microsoft actually play a big part in that, however the over $30 billion he put into his Charity foundation, probably a bit more important.

I don't care if you love apple, and hate M$

Bill Gates is an American hero who is the true realization of the American dream, turn nothing into something and share that something with the whole world.

[TheWolfey @ Jun 28th 2008 2:43AM]

To set the record straight, Mr. Apple Fan(boy),

Bill Gates and Microsoft as a whole donated roughly 150 million dollars to a financially failing Apple. In a time where it would have been easy to step up and become the -only- OS available widespread to the populace, Bill and his team recognized that it goes a little bit deeper than financial numbers, as well as the advancements that can only be had with competition. Microsoft also agreed to create more software that was compatible with Macs, helping to stem the loss of numbers Apple was dealing with. The computer you, and I, are on now is in part because of Bill Gates. It's even been pointed out on Engadget. He is an enormous man when it comes to heart and brilliance. At least from this Apple user, I will miss Bill -greatly-, he's been a monumental drive in the technical world, and his charity work far surpasses anything we could ever hope to do.

In short, you've earned this R&R, Bill. By god, have you ever earned it. Cheers for so many years of awesome work for your fellow man.

Wolfey

[It's been too long @ Jun 27th 2008 8:13PM]

Has the going away party been out-sourced to India?

[GregA @ Jun 27th 2008 8:14PM]

So I guess I will take the overwhelming bitterness as sort of a tacit acknowlegment that the Engadget staff knows that Apple will never beat Microsoft.

Do you guys ever regret going into blogging as a career?

[holycow @ Jun 27th 2008 8:17PM]

Dear Bill,

Thank You for all your hard work that has made our lives so much easier. Also I will never forget your speeches at the University of Waterloo (Canada), thank you for blessing us with your presence!

Yours Truly,
holycow

[Haikibutsu @ Jun 27th 2008 8:23PM]

Dear bill:

Ive been using your OS for many years. Even though I am a mac user, I love both OSes. I really thought Windows XP is a really stable OS.

-Haikibutsu

PS: Don't let users like Clak on the internet!

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Jun 27th 2008 8:52PM]

All I read was the last sentence, and I agree :)

[zargon @ Jun 28th 2008 12:47PM]

Speaking of zealots like clak and zak, where are they for these Bill Gates posts? I figured they would be laying their bullcrap on thick.

Though... it could also be that I have them "egnored" using the Egnore Firefox extension that will allow you to ignore users on the Engadget comment system Want to try it? http://www.electroburn.org/egnored/

[Jherez @ Jun 28th 2008 1:37PM]

Where is he by the way? I figured he would be all over these pages.

[Anonymoose @ Jun 27th 2008 8:27PM]

Bill,

Your hands are so soft. I'll miss you more than QDOS. Just know that the most important thing you could ever do from this moment on is to open two smoothie stores and to buy a chocolate pony.

Affectionately Yours,

Snookums Poodle Bear

[phanbouy @ Jun 28th 2008 12:32AM]

hey yer back. chocolate ponies and all

[Anonymoose @ Jun 28th 2008 10:15PM]

not really back. i can't access the comments page from work anymore so i haven't been commenting as much. but with BillGa retiring, i thought the only appropriate sendoff would be for me to post on an internet site where he will never read my loving comments.

[Glenn Tobey @ Jun 27th 2008 8:28PM]

Bye bill I hate to see you go cause Microsoft will probaly go all to hell now that your gone

[Alexo @ Jun 27th 2008 8:29PM]

For all the hates around the internet about MS, we will miss you Bill!

[AJ in the East Bay @ Jun 27th 2008 8:29PM]

OMG, not a pie! Oh well, I guess if Bill didn't mind the first time he won't this time.

On a serious note, best of luck you nerdy genius!!

[Alexo @ Jun 27th 2008 8:30PM]

Congratz Kill

[Peter D @ Jun 27th 2008 8:34PM]

Growing up in Seattle I have always look towards Bill Gates as a role model I would like to be, not because he is insanely rich, but because he was extremely successful and yet never stopped trying to improve the world. I know that his switch to full time world-saving will be better for the world, but it is a sad day in Microsoft history... my favorite part of it is leaving

[Mr. B @ Jun 27th 2008 8:35PM]

Thanks for Windows XP... best of luck with curing AIDS and all that.

[Thomas @ Jun 27th 2008 8:36PM]

Mr. Gates,

I am torn. I respect what you are going on to do and I believe you will succeed in your efforts. I can think of no better way to use your money and power. You have inspired me to do the same.

On the other hand I believe that Microsoft is at a hard place right now. At this point Microsoft can either regain their strength or fail. I believe Microsoft needs you more now than ever. I fear what the post Bill Gates world at Microsoft will look like.

Maybe we will see you in five years at a keynote announcing you will be returning to Microsoft, regaining your power and will bring to the world a new revolution in computing. Or maybe in 5 five years you will announce a cure or breakthrough in some place in the world.

Thank you Mr. Gates for everything.
-Thomas

Sorry for the long post.

[Masterde @ Jun 28th 2008 8:26AM]

If he came back after 5 years it will be too late, Apple will have taken over the industry