This post continues from my previous posts The Mixed Legacy of Bill Gates and The Legacy of Bill Gates
Bill Gates might be called the single person responsible for the sucess of the PC revolution -- to the levels it is today. Over 90% of the world uses PCs powered by Microsoft's Windows and Windows compliant software programs. The fact that I am typing this blog on my laptop into a browser window of Internet Explorer running on Windows XP -- says a lot about the world-wide Impact Bill Gates has had as a Business Leader.
It was Gates who envisioned a PC in every home. Unfortunately Microsoft Corp (MSFT) went bludgeoning down competitors using its control over Windows OS in pursuit of that glorious vision. It shamelessly copied the superior design of Mac OS from Apple Compuer Inc. (AAPL). No one can deny the fact that Windows PC's are cheaper than Apple's madly expensive Macs -- yet there are fair ways to win. Finally, Microsoft due to its strong desktop roots, never succeeded in going beyond the PC into the mobile world.
Innovation?
One more issue I have had with Microsoft is its constant talk about Innovation when most of the software it sells is acquired through acquisitions. Eventually, investors saw through the talk without walk on Innovation. Copying others business models or products can only sometimes lead to success. As Microsoft desperately tries to now copy Yahoo! and Google's online models -- I dont believe it will make much success out of the attempt.
Charity
Bill Gates has been very generous with the money he earned. His Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has worked for very worthy causes from eradicticating malaria and fighting HIV AIDS to bridging the Digital Divide.
Friend of India
On a personal front, Bill Gates and Microsoft Corp. have been very respectful of the talent of Indians. In India, Microsoft has pumped a lot of money in the education sector. it has hired thousands of Indians in professional positions in India and its world-wide offices. So I have a lot of personal regard for the man who has shown India and Indians a lot of respect.
Summary
Quite clearly Bill Gates has had a major impact on todays world of computing. As the future unfolds, it would become clearer whether Microsoft Corp (MSFT) will change because of change in Leadership -- thus wiping out some of the negative impacts that Gates has had on his own company and therefore the rest of the computing world.
