The Bill Gates era ends at Microsoft

Bill Gates leaves Microsoft on Friday 27 June after more than 30 years in charge of one of the biggest and most influential technology companies in the world.

As he rides into the sunset to help make the world a better place through the multibillion dollar Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, here's a round up of the silicon.com coverage of the end of an era…

Bill Gates' legacy: A modern day Henry Ford
News analysis: The geek who made good...
What is Bill Gates' legacy as he departs from the mega-corporation he built from scratch?

Photos: Bill Gates through the ages
30 years in the life of tech's biggest name
silicon.com looks back at Bill Gates' career over the past 30 years.

In his own words: Bill Gates' best quotes
"We will never make a 32-bit operating system," and more...
Bill Gates has made some particularly insightful, bold and wide of the mark comments. Here are the ones that stand out.

Photos: Top 5 Bill Gates moments
Hanging out with rock stars and getting a cream pie in the face...
See what interesting situations tech's biggest name got into during his career.

Microsoft's future in the post-Bill Gates era
News analysis: How will Redmond react to losing its talisman?
What will Bill Gates' departure mean for the company he founded in a world now dominated by the internet and Google?

Bill Gates' legacy hailed by IT chiefs
CIO Jury: It's a Microsoft love-in…
Bill Gates will pursue his philanthropic efforts through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and IT chiefs have hailed his legacy to the industry.

How many people will it take to fill Gates' shoes?
Five, 10, 15, 20…
Anyone who thought there'd be a single successor for the great man would be gravely mistaken, says Mary-Jo Foley.

Bill Gates on the future, the past and the brilliance of fertilizer…
Q&A: Microsoft chairman says his farewells
Bill Gates steps down from full-time work on Friday after more than 30 years in charge.