We have already covered about the legacy of Bill Gates here but I just thought I should add something about the man who I idolized for the larger part of my not so long life.

So here’s is to the man who changed the way I interact with computers!

For many, Bill Gates and his company Microsoft would more be remembered for the evil-doings and monopolization which led to their domination on desktop PCs but for me Bill Gates is a business man in a true sense of word. He truly knew the art of doing business. He broadened the company’s range of products,  and then pushed it so aggressively that it led to the the domination and success of his products. Bill Gates predicted “a computer in every home and on every desk”….and today its indeed in every home & on every desk and over 90% of those run Windows. So for me Gates will be remembered as one of the best-known business men and one of the best entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution.

And Now June 27, 2008 marks the End of an Era that was as Bill Gates has transitioned out of day-to-day role in the company which he co-founded with his friends Paul Allen & Steve Ballmer to spend more time on his work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. But Gates will still remain Microsoft’s chairman and will be involved in select projects based on direction from Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer and the leadership team. Microsoft will continue to be led by a deep leadership team, led by CEO Steve Ballmer, Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie and Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie. With guys like Ray Ozzie at helm, Microsoft to me is in safe hands!

Here are some of the videos from farewell event of Bill Gates held at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash. Do check them out!

Employees Welcome Gates (00:22)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer introduces Chairman Bill Gates at the Employee Town Hall. June 27, 2008
Download: Zune-quality (.wmv) | Broadcast-quality (.mpeg)

Gates - Starting Microsoft (00:17)
Bill Gates describes how he and co-founder Paul Allen started Microsoft with the dream that software would be important one day.
Download: Zune-quality (.wmv) | Broadcast-quality (.mpeg)

Ballmer - Microsoft Vision (00:21)
CEO Steve Ballmer describes Bill’s vision of a computer on every desk and in every home.
Download: Zune-quality (.wmv) | Broadcast-quality (.mpeg)

Gates - Microsoft Leadership (00:51)
Gates describes the opportunities ahead for Microsoft’s leadership.
Download: Zune-quality (.wmv) | Broadcast-quality (.mpeg)

Ballmer - Microsoft Culture (00:37)
Steve Ballmer talks about how Bill Gates has instilled a culture of intensity, tenacity and passion at Microsoft.
Download: Zune-quality (.wmv) | Broadcast-quality (.mpeg)

Ballmer - Changing the World (01:14)
Steve Ballmer thanks Bill Gates for the opportunities Microsoft employees have to change the world and realize their true potential.
Download: Zune-quality (.wmv) | Broadcast-quality (.mpeg)

I am thankful to Gates for his contribution to personal computing and I wish him all the best and is excitedly looking forward to the Post-Gates era at Microsoft Corporation.

Taimur Asad (Via Startup Meme)