Simon Allen

Hertfordshire, UK

Voice and Stuff

Microsoft will hardly change at all.

An organisation built over three decades will not change to any significant degree and anything about Open Source will just be window dressing.

This is not just because it is M'soft but ALL and ANY corporation of that size and success - does not change just because the founder is out of the door.

Look at other big companies and ask how they have changed? For the most part they don't, or the change is small and slow.

Space does not permit an exposition of why companies do not change but the essence is: Once a house has been built - you can add an extension and a loft conversion - but it it is still the same house. Humans don't change that easily.

Lastly, I see that most of the press covering Gates' move STILL refer to him as a 'geek' or 'nerd'. He was never that but was simply the finest salesman you will see in your lifetime. I mean that as a compliment, he knew exactly what the world would buy and how much they would pay for it.