.rtlinks a:link { color: #000; } .rtlinks a:visited { color: #000; } .rtlinks a:hover { color: #000; } .rtlinks a:active { color: #999; } #story{width: 960px;} #specialWrapper { width: 960px; background-image: url(http://i.n.com.com/i/ne/p/2006/billgates.jpg); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: left 0px; padding: 150px 0 90px 0; margin: 0 0 0 0px; background-color: none; } #leftside { width: 612px; margin: -10px 25px 0 0px; float: left; padding-left: 15px; } #leftside h1 { font-size: 1.5em; margin: 10px 0; color: #484748; } #leftside h1 span {display:none;} #storyList h2 { font-size: 125%; } #rightside { background-color: #FFF; border-top: 1px solid #52522C; border-left: 1px solid #52522C; border-bottom: 1px solid #52522C; float: left; width: 307px; margin: 0; padding-right: 0; } .rightside_header { background-color: #967200; width: 296px; height: 25px; color: #FFF; font-weight:bold; padding: 5px 0 0 10px; } #multimedia { padding: 0 12px; color: #000000; font-size: .9em; } .rightinside .facts { font: .9em verdana, arial; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 0 1px; margin: 6px 0 0px 6px; } .rightinside p { font: .85em verdana, arial; margin: 0 0 2px 6px; } .source { font: .85em verdana, arial; margin: 0 0 6px 6px; color: #666; } .credits { font: .9em verdana, arial; margin: 0 0 6px 6px; color: #666; } .sourceHeds { font: .7em verdana, arial; color: #89865C; } .rightinside { position: relative; padding: 5px 8px; } #leftside h4 { text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 115%; margin: 15px 0 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #999; color: #555; } #storyList { margin-top: 10px; } #storyList p { margin: 0; padding: 0; } #storyList p.datestamp { margin: 0 0 10px; font-size: 85%; color: #444; } #staffbox {margin-top: 0; background-color: #89865C; font: .9em verdana; color: #FFF; padding: 4px;} .media { clear: both; margin: 0 0 10px; } .media img { float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; border: 1px solid #000; } .poll td { font-size: 85%; text-align: top; } #ledeStories h2 { font-size: 140%; } The end of the Gates era Since its inception, Microsoft has been practically synonymous with co-founder Bill Gates. That's about to change, albeit slowly, as the software maven and the world's richest man looks to 2008 as the end of his day-to-day involvement with the company. Gates to bow out at Microsoft High Impact document.write(''); document.write(''); Co-founder sets 2008 date for transition out of day-to-day role at the software giant; plans to focus on charity work. June 15, 2006 Ozzie, Mundie pick up tech mantle at Microsoft newsmaker Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie have some big shoes to fill. The two execs talk to CNET News.com about how they plan to take over for Gates. June 16, 2006 commentary Forrester Research analysts say Microsoft's new leadership must quickly find a way to prevent the legacy weight of Windows and Office dragging down the fledgling Live platform. June 16, 2006 Gates: Wouldn't change a thing newsmaker The Microsoft chairman and founder looks forward to spending more time helping those who could most benefit from his time and assistance. June 15, 2006 perspective It's still too soon to write the final chapter, but CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says the record is a mixed one. June 15, 2006 Is Ray Ozzie up to the task? The Lotus Notes inventor and driving force behind Microsoft's online services strategy has some big shoes to fill. June 15, 2006 Say what? A look back at Gates' pearls of wisdom The list of "Gates-isms" is legendary within the tech industry. Here's a sampling of his most well-known quips. June 15, 2006 Most in industry letting Gates go quietly News that Microsoft's chair plans to step down from a day-to-day role caused barely a ripple in the tech world. June 15, 2006 The foundation that Bill Gates built Organization that will get Microsoft chair's full attention stresses global health, education, libraries and the Pacific Northwest. June 15, 2006 Microsoft's mixed scorecard The software giant still dominates the desktop, but finding new markets has proven tricky. June 15, 2006 Gates: Capitalist hero or monopolist villain? As word spreads that he's stepping away from Microsoft, Bill Gates, as usual, elicits extreme reactions on blogs and message boards. June 15, 2006 Gates', Ballmer's e-mails to employees In e-mails to Microsoft employees, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer shared some of their thoughts on the leadership changes. June 15, 2006 A Gates time line A look at the pivotal moments in the life of Microsoft's Bill Gates, one of the world's richest and most famous/infamous men. June 15, 2006 Previous Microsoft coverage Piecing together Windows Vista special coverage Aiming to re-create the excitement of Windows 95, Microsoft is trying to turn Vista into its next big win. June 12, 2006 Gates: Microsoft will keep Google honestHe concedes mistakes, but Bill Gates promises that Redmond's investments will enable it to catch its rival. May 3, 2006 Catching up with the Gateses Papa Bill says the kids are busily pursuing their current interests via Internet research--thanks to MSN's search tool, of course. March 27, 2006 Bill Gates is no match for the Teflon president blog In an "American Idol" style poll, TV viewers and AOL users rank the uber-Microsoftie among the 100 greatest Americans. June 28, 2005 News.com poll Bill Gates has set a timetable to end his day-to-day work at Microsoft. Do you agree with his plans? Too soon. There's no one else who can fill his shoes. Not soon enough. He should have left years ago. Just about right. The company's in capable hands with Ballmer, Ozzie and crew. View results Related video Gates going, but slowly Microsoft co-founder plans his future. Gates to hand off to Ballmer Microsoft in for major executive shift. Gates to hand over reins by mid-2008 "I'm not leaving Microsoft." Live from Mix '06 Microsoft wants to help deliver a "cool content experience." Related audio The reaction in Redmond What happens to Microsoft post-Gates? CNET News.com's Charlie Cooper speaks with reporter Ina Fried, who was on the ground at Microsoft's headquarters to speak with Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer. loadAudio("/av/ne/audio/ina_coop_microsoft.mp3"); Download mp3 (823KB) Related images Microsoft announces the news At a Thursday press conference, Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates announce that Gates will gradually step down. A Bill Gates retrospective Through the years, Microsoft's leader has hobnobbed with everyone from the Queen to Bono--and the Albuquerque police.