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Jonathon Hardcastle asked:
As the co-founder and chairman of the mammoth Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates is the moving force behind a company that has been regarded as “The Most Innovative Company Operating in the U.S.” (1993, Forbes magazines). Microsoft introduced several revolutionary technological advancements in the computer industry that made the company the first truly dominant player among home computer operating systems. Microsoft also created the most widely used operating system in the world, Microsoft Windows.
Gates is widely regarded as the brains behind the Microsoft Corporation, primarily responsible for product strategy from the time the company was founded in 1975 until 2006. Among his key contributions are extensively broadening the company’s product lines and vigorously defending Microsoft’s dominant position in its key areas of operation. And while some of his decisions have led to antitrust litigation over Microsoft’s business practices, his reputation as one of the most popular and respected entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution remains intact. His fame actually surpasses the realm of computers and business and extends into mainstream society. For instance, in a 2006 list compiled by New Statesman magazine, Gates was voted eighth in the “Heroes of Our Time” category.
In June 2006, Gates announced that he will be handing the reins of Microsoft’s day-to-day operations to someone else by July 2008 to concentrate on the philanthropic work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, although he will continue to serve as the company’s chairman and as an advisor on special projects. Plans are already afoot to transfer Gates’ role as Chief Software Architect of Microsoft to Ray Ozzie, the former head honcho of the Groove company which Microsoft purchased in 2005.
Gates has donated several millions of dollars to various charitable groups and scientific research studies. By some estimates, Gates has contributed over half his fortune to charity. Even if such were the case, he can easily afford it. Recently, the prestigious Forbes magazine named Gates as the world’s richest person for the 12th straight year, with a 2006 net worth of $50 billion. Incidentally, he actually became the world’s first “centibillionaire” in 1999 when his net worth surpassed the 100 billion mark briefly.
As the co-founder and chairman of the mammoth Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates is the moving force behind a company that has been regarded as “The Most Innovative Company Operating in the U.S.” (1993, Forbes magazines). Microsoft introduced several revolutionary technological advancements in the computer industry that made the company the first truly dominant player among home computer operating systems. Microsoft also created the most widely used operating system in the world, Microsoft Windows.
Gates is widely regarded as the brains behind the Microsoft Corporation, primarily responsible for product strategy from the time the company was founded in 1975 until 2006. Among his key contributions are extensively broadening the company’s product lines and vigorously defending Microsoft’s dominant position in its key areas of operation. And while some of his decisions have led to antitrust litigation over Microsoft’s business practices, his reputation as one of the most popular and respected entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution remains intact. His fame actually surpasses the realm of computers and business and extends into mainstream society. For instance, in a 2006 list compiled by New Statesman magazine, Gates was voted eighth in the “Heroes of Our Time” category.
In June 2006, Gates announced that he will be handing the reins of Microsoft’s day-to-day operations to someone else by July 2008 to concentrate on the philanthropic work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, although he will continue to serve as the company’s chairman and as an advisor on special projects. Plans are already afoot to transfer Gates’ role as Chief Software Architect of Microsoft to Ray Ozzie, the former head honcho of the Groove company which Microsoft purchased in 2005.
Gates has donated several millions of dollars to various charitable groups and scientific research studies. By some estimates, Gates has contributed over half his fortune to charity. Even if such were the case, he can easily afford it. Recently, the prestigious Forbes magazine named Gates as the world’s richest person for the 12th straight year, with a 2006 net worth of $50 billion. Incidentally, he actually became the world’s first “centibillionaire” in 1999 when his net worth surpassed the 100 billion mark briefly.
Gditeam asked:
If you are interested in the new Microsoft Zune you are not alone. There was great anticipation building up to the November 14, 2006 release date of this new mp3 player. The fact of the matter is that before the Zune hit shelves the Apple iPod had virtually no competition. Sure, there are a few other options out there, but nothing that could really compete on a level playing field with the iPod. It appears that Microsoft has hit the nail on the head with the new Zune, and that a large audience is going to make this unit catapult to the top of the industry.
For people interested in the Zune, supplies are going to be quite limited at first. There is a good chance that if you head to one of the more popular retail outlets right after the release that the Zune is going to be sold out. In addition to its greatly anticipated arrival, the Zune also has a lot to offer as far as price is concerned. In fact, Zune prices are among the best in the industry and this will surely help out sales early on until discounts come into play. When Microsoft was pricing the Zune it is obvious that they had the Apple iPod clear in their sites.
Zune prices come in at just below $250. The bottom line is that the price of the Zune is identical to that of the standard size Apple iPod. If Microsoft really wanted to do themselves a favor they could have priced the Zune much lower than the iPod. But with that being said they probably feel that the Zune will not have any problems competing head to head with the iPod thanks to all of the features and top notch benefits.
The only real disadvantage of Zune prices is that some competitors offer other units at a cheaper price. For example, if you do not want to buy a full size Zune or iPod you can opt for the smaller iPod Nano. Of course you will have to give up a bit in benefits when you buy the smaller unit, but at the same time you will be able to save over $100. Until the Zune can compete on this playing field they may lose some business out to the smaller, lower priced options.
The Zune prices are very competitive as far as mp3 players are concerned. In today’s day and age of advanced technology Microsoft did a great job keeping the price down, while still being able to offer a great product. At this point in time Zune prices are holding steady, and it appears that the market is satisfied with what they are getting.
Zune prices are the same as its biggest competitor, and this will definitely make the buying process difficult for any consumer who is interested in an mp3 player. Only time will tell if Microsoft priced the Zune correctly. But early indications are showing that they are right on point!
If you are interested in the new Microsoft Zune you are not alone. There was great anticipation building up to the November 14, 2006 release date of this new mp3 player. The fact of the matter is that before the Zune hit shelves the Apple iPod had virtually no competition. Sure, there are a few other options out there, but nothing that could really compete on a level playing field with the iPod. It appears that Microsoft has hit the nail on the head with the new Zune, and that a large audience is going to make this unit catapult to the top of the industry.
For people interested in the Zune, supplies are going to be quite limited at first. There is a good chance that if you head to one of the more popular retail outlets right after the release that the Zune is going to be sold out. In addition to its greatly anticipated arrival, the Zune also has a lot to offer as far as price is concerned. In fact, Zune prices are among the best in the industry and this will surely help out sales early on until discounts come into play. When Microsoft was pricing the Zune it is obvious that they had the Apple iPod clear in their sites.
Zune prices come in at just below $250. The bottom line is that the price of the Zune is identical to that of the standard size Apple iPod. If Microsoft really wanted to do themselves a favor they could have priced the Zune much lower than the iPod. But with that being said they probably feel that the Zune will not have any problems competing head to head with the iPod thanks to all of the features and top notch benefits.
The only real disadvantage of Zune prices is that some competitors offer other units at a cheaper price. For example, if you do not want to buy a full size Zune or iPod you can opt for the smaller iPod Nano. Of course you will have to give up a bit in benefits when you buy the smaller unit, but at the same time you will be able to save over $100. Until the Zune can compete on this playing field they may lose some business out to the smaller, lower priced options.
The Zune prices are very competitive as far as mp3 players are concerned. In today’s day and age of advanced technology Microsoft did a great job keeping the price down, while still being able to offer a great product. At this point in time Zune prices are holding steady, and it appears that the market is satisfied with what they are getting.
Zune prices are the same as its biggest competitor, and this will definitely make the buying process difficult for any consumer who is interested in an mp3 player. Only time will tell if Microsoft priced the Zune correctly. But early indications are showing that they are right on point!
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