Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft, Rich beyond belief and generous Philanthropist
If someone were to ask “What is Bill Gates famous for?” many would answer “for being the founder of Microsoft”. While that of course is true, what some may not be aware of is that he is one of the richest men in the world and has been so for many years. He’s also one of the most generous philanthropists at the present time. What we all know is that Bill Gates is the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation and its no exaggeration to say that almost every desk computer being used today has at least one Microsoft computer software programs installed in it.
His Passion for Computer Software
Born in Seattle, USA on 28 October, 1955, William Henry Gates III had two sisters. His father is an attorney in Seattle and his late mother was a school teacher. All 3 children had a very comfortable upbringing with Bill attending the very exclusive secondary Lakeside School. He had his university studies at Harvard in 1973 where he and his partner Paul Allen worked on a computer program that revolutionized the computer industry. He dropped out of Harvard without waiting to graduate and instead started his own software company. According to his thinking, every office desk and every home should have a computer as he said in his own words “…To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential." and the Microcomputer software company was born. It wasn’t long before the company simply became “Microsoft” which most probably is one of the most known and identified companies in the world.
His Business Policies and Legal Battles
This was the beginning of the use of computer as we know today and it completely revolutionized and changed the world of computers. Great success is always accompanied with criticism and Bill Gates had no lack of it either. His aggressive business policies and principles resulted in conflict and law suits against Microsoft. The success of Microsoft was unprecedented since it dominated the home computer scene and became a monopoly whereby resulting in several law suits with other software companies such as Apple, WordPerfect, Netscape etc.
Bill Gates’ Vision for the future
Bill Gates did not simply form a company and leave it to others to run. He was always actively involved in the management, the strategic decisions and the feasibility of technical development of new products. He’s also a dab hand at public relations and makes it a point to stay in touch with his high profile customers as well as his employees located in Microsoft companies across the world. He never lets up in his quest for enhanced and improved versions of software and technology and devotes much of his time to look for ways in which he can make it more simple and cost effective for people to use computers. This is well evidenced in his investment of approximately $2.6 billion for the purpose of conducting research and the development of new programs.
“The Road Ahead”
In 1995 Gates wrote "the Road Ahead" his personal vision for the IT industry. The book was co-authored with two other writers and held the No. 1 Bestsellers spot in the New York Times list for seven week and was sold in 20 countries. The second edition of the paperback which was revised in 1996 to show how interactive networks are becoming a major milestone in communication was once again a bestseller. He donated the proceeds from the book to a non profit organization that supports teachers introducing computers to the classrooms worldwide.
Focus on charities
Gates has several interests other than computers which is his passion. Bill Gates sits on the boards of many companies and corporation. He invested in a company planning to launch low orbit satellites providing a two-way broadband telecommunications services to the whole world.
Since Microsoft has gone public, Bill Gates has generously donated to charities more than $800 million. Gates’ charitable focus is mainly on education, public health, non profit, civic and arts organizations. This brilliant man, founder, entrepreneur and philanthropist retired as Microsoft CEO in 2008, but did not drop the reins of his most passionate work.
A favorite quote from Bill Gates is “……. Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one……” .
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