Joel Spolsky (ex-funcionário):

"As of now, Microsoft stock is surprisingly quiet given the announcement that Bill Gates will step down. It should probably be going down. Ozzie is smart but not in the same class as Bill Gates. And it's really Ballmer that needs to go."


Who da'Punk (aka Mini - funcionário):

"Right now, I'm feeling all nostalgic. It is the beginning of an end of an era, indeed. So long, Classic Microsoft. Hello, emerging Next Generation Microsoft. And I think it's a good thing, but, boy, when Gates got choked up on stage today thinking about not seeing Steve everyday my lip starting quivering, too, and my eyes got a bit misty. That little devil popped up on my shoulder, muttering, 'I suddenly feel guilty for all those bad things I encouraged you and your commenters to say...'"


Ballmer (pedra no sapato):

"You can't replace everything that Bill brings to this company with a single person, but Bill and I are confident we've assembled a great team that can step up and drive Microsoft innovation forward without missing a beat."


BillU (na "Estrada do Futuro"):

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose."

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Coletâneas parecidas estão aparecendo em todo canto na Internet desde o anúncio da aposentadoria de Bill Gates, na semana passada. Credo, até parece homenagem póstuma.

Bill sacou que seu tempo passou. Bill sabe que o início do fim estava de certa forma documentado em seu "A Estrada do Futuro". O início do fim de uma era, que fique bem claro.

Bill é o mais esperto de sua geração. Por isso sua possível ausência será sentida. Ray Ozzie é espertinho. Mas está (ficará?) deveras mal acompanhado. Só Bill não percebe que, antes dele, Ballmer deveria fazer as malas. Uma pena.

Mas é boa a notícia de que pode vir por aí uma Nova MS. Saca só o estado de espírito do Mini:

"Change is great. Change allows for opportunity and realignment and breaking up the fiefdoms and the silos. It sounds like everyone is singing a mea-culpa tune over Vista and focusing on the need for agility. Are you a cool hunter? Hunting for agility and being a streamline champion is the new hotness right now."