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I dumped microsoft years ago. Wander what he needs the cash for... maybe gettin while the gettins good.

Bill Gates has been slowly dumping M$ stock for some time now.

He knows the computer future and it doesn't include his sorry a$$.

Just think, he makes 4 million dollars a day in interest, why is he dumping M$ stock?

Hardly dumping...

I agree with killBill,
The title is quite misleading

Wow, just like that he raised 1/2 a billion.

The guy creates buggy software and steals the rest, but you got to admit, he did create a big company. Amazing his net worth is 50 billion. Amazing he got Buffet to give him more money.

I don't like the guy and I don't like his company, but I amazed at how much money he has accumulated.

MW: Bill

No Joke! This is getting creepy.

needed some pocket change.

No more $1mill bills to be found under the cushions of his couch.

I have reasonable faith that Gates will continue to put a significant amount of money into his foundation, which is a positive force in the world.

Maybe he needs money to buy AAPL?

As he doesn't need the money (still being the richest nerd on the planet), why did he sell the shares?

Getting out while the stock's still worth something..?

I'm buying Apple Stock you morons.

A positive force for the Dark Side, you mean. It's the here's a wonderful french pastry given to you with one hand and the slap in the face with the other. Which one do yo believe is remembered?

Rats leaving the sinking ship...

Diversification. Gates' Microsoft stock valuation as of this writing is approximately $25.5 Billion.

Based on the current price, his holdings come to some $25.5 Billion. (Contra Seinfeld, there *is* something wrong with that!) This sale may be part of a diversification move (given that MSFT has stagnated for at least the last six years), but I doubt he's in the $50 Billion range any longer. Ballmer himself still holds billions in MSFT shares, so those who talk of him being shown the door are rather naive. He'll leave when he's good and ready. So much the better.

It's not as though he was getting rid of a large percentage of his stock. It's always wise to diversify your investment portfolio, even if you believe in the investment. It's akin to the old adage "Don't put all your eggs in one basket".

The rats do play from time to time - and Billy Boy is the lead rat at M$!

Well at least you can't say he doesn't know when to get off a sinking ship!

Wonder if he used Vista to do the evil deed?

good ole' Bill sells MSFT stock every single month. The insider trading disclosures to the SEC are public record. Even at 20 Mil a month sold, it would still take him an addtional 4 years to completely divest. It has nothing to do with Bill's view as microsoft, as far as I can tell, he belives all the crap he spews about Vista and MSFT. The sales are for the foundation. I'm sure you will be surprised to find out that starving people don't like to get a share of MSFT stock in place of food.

'Gates dumps Microsoft stock.' What a funny word. I dump, you dump, he she dumps, they dump, it dumps ..we all dump don't we.
I'm not sure but I think I feel better, now. Not like 20 million better but like a Redmond good enough better.

That photo of Bill Gates always cracks me up! The other photo that always kills me, too, is the one with Gates and Ballmer smiling and the fake "Your Frustration, Our Fault".

Whatever the reason, I wouldn't interpret it as a positive signal for Microsoft. If with his massive wealth he were buying..then that would be a different matter.

'Gates dumps Microsoft stock'

Misleading. Should read

'Gates Zunes Microsoft Stock'

There, all better.

you're criticizing him for selling shares when the stock is up like 50% over the past year?

he doesn't even work there anymore.. way overblown. I'd do the same.

I think he's getting ready to buy some iPhones.

I think he has been dumping the stock as fast as he can without raising too many eyebrows, that's what I think. Meanwhile he's talking M$ up.

Poor Bill. Now the U.S. Government Bans Vista and Office 2007, http://blogs.business2.com/beta/2007/03/us_government_b.html

Someone selling off before jumping ship?

Im no fan of Bill, but guess what, dumping stock is what stock is for. Unless you sell it at some point, it's worthless.

I'll bet anything Gates actually does own some AAPL. As an investor, he'd be stupid not to.

Nice picture. Does he really suffer from DOWNS?

Bill Gates is selling Microsoft stock because he, or his investment advisors, or his foundation's advisors, believe it is not a good investment.

And they would be right. I predict we are in for a raft of bad news out of Redmond. Microsoft has NEVER had to operate in a truly competitive environment - with a 75% profit margin of every copy of Windows sold, Microsoft have gotten as bloated as their software. They have a very high cost base. If they cannot increase gross margins they must reduce costs.

Watch Microsoft treat their staff as badly as their business partners when it no longer suits Microsoft to keep them... Morale will dip and people will start leaving of their own accord - the first signe will be senior managers departing in significant numbers.

One more lousy quarter and the pressure will be on Ballmer. By end of June analysts will be starting to talk about "turnaround" strategy and some will be issuing SELL recommendations. By end of December there will be talk about spinning off some of the loss-making divisions such as xBox.

I hear that Microsoft is preparing Zune II for release. Stand by for another disaster. Microsoft will be out of this business altogether by the end of the year.

What was the official reason for the departure of the Zune head honcho? Microsoft were very quiet on that one...

That picture of Bill Gates has to go. We just look like we're no better than Fox News when we have such a poor picture of our opposition on this web site. Not to mention that we look very smug and condescending by picking on the nerdiest of the nerds. Everyone has taken a bad picture at sometime in their life. I really don't think we are helping our cause by blatantly flaunting our dislike of Bill Gates, and we don't have to go back to 7th grade to say we disagree with him. Besides, Mac users are expected to take the high road in respect what the other (misinformed) side is up to.

montex ....you're not an ugly nerd, by chance?

Ummm...

Not really?

Although I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Mr. Gates sells millions of shares every month to fund his charitable trust.

These 'BILL"S SELLING!!' stories crop up every so often either out of ignorance or just to flame Mr. Softee.

Lets see if I only sell a 2% of what I have every 4-6 months no one will really notice that I'm divesting myself of ten percent of my holdings in two and a half years. SEC is happy and dumb investors are none the wiser. Stock prices should hold and in 5 years 20% is gone or about 200 milliion shares. Sounds like a plan meticulously worked out for the man with patience. Oh and montex you should have said not to look like CNN. As long as we contriving twisted logic.

@just who said:"I have reasonable faith that Gates will continue to put a significant amount of money into his foundation, which is a positive force in the world."

Bill's trying to do his penance for all the misery and deceit he's caused in the world. Now that he's getting older, he's thinking he'd not like to end up in hell.

'We just look like we're no better than Fox News'

'Besides, Mac users are expected to take the high road in respect what the other (misinformed) side is up to.'

Typical liberal double-speak.

Mon-ya ain't from Tex.

@Towertone

"Typical liberal double-speak"

It is my experience that people who use the term "liberal" as a form of insult, as you appear to be doing, are less informed, less educated, less travelled, less tolerant and less worldly that others.

liberal: adj: marked by generosity
OPENHANDED <a > b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way.
BROAD-MINDED; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms

or in a political sense: of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism
of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom:

associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives

Which parts of that don't you agree with?

It always amuses me that some people on this planet, despite being on their first run through life along with the rest of us, deem themselves privileged to "know" the one and only "right way" to live this life, and then take every opportunity to impose their "beliefs" on everyone else.

I am proud to be a liberal. I deplore narrow-mindedness in all its forms. However, if I ever won government I would decree that all non-liberals be sentenced to use microsoft products forever.

Whoa there, Sid
That term is NOT used as an insult. Read what you wrote, and then understand why I call it double-speak, from a liberal.

America is considered a liberal democracy. That doesn't mean it does not have conservative values. You are getting the two confused.

You are a liberal. Great, so what. Many are. Most of them just deny it, calling themselves 'progressive' as if that changes anything.

Your list of experience shows that wherever you go, you associate with the same type of people. It is almost laughable, but you are serious, so realize this-

If you go to a college campus and try to extol conservative values in a forum, you will be shouted down by these same open minded, enlightened, well educated tolerant folks you speak of.

Good luck.

@Towertone

I stand by what I said. This is a liberal site, allowing you to post whatever you like, anonymously. I don't disagree with that policy but I do believe that you post at your own risk - and if you are unable to substantiate your views then you deserve to be taken to task for that.

In a liberal democracy such as Australia, UK or the USA, we encourage all points of view. That does not mean that there is not robust debate. "Conservative" is not the antonym for "liberal" - it is YOU who are confused. The antonym for "liberal",in political terms, is "repressive" and that can take the form of hard left wing or hard right wing politics. There is nothing "conservative" (which means cautious) about the neocon agenda of the right wing of the Republican party. The suppression of scientific fact because it harms the neocon agenda; the firing of district attorneys for similar reasons - these are typical of the tools of repressive regimes around the world throughout history - be they left wing or right wing. America is viewed with some caution in international circles because your democratic institutions are under challenge and the suppression of truth and manipulation of the professional arms of government by the current administration is viewed with great concern.

If you do not count yourself a liberal, take up my challenge and tell us all which parts of the definitions I listed do not apply to you. And if you wish to be taken seriously, then also use, as I do, your real email address. Hiding behind your mother's skirts, or an anonymous moniker, is cowardly. If you have a view, then express it, boldly and without fear. But do not slink out of the shadows to poke people in the eye, retreating into your cave until the next opportunity presents...

@Towertone

And I fully agree with Montex. The pictures of Bill Gates and Ballmer used on this site are chosen to show them in their worst light. It is amusing of course. But he is right that it lowers the tone of the debate. With Apple on the rise it is perhaps time to treat the opposition with a greater degree of respect. After all they are bringing about their own downfall with no need of assistance from us...

Don't be retarded, "Bill G." (even though you already are) – Mr. Steve Ballmer will be needing a couple of stocks to attain wealth. As good as Microsoft already is, our stocks can still go up in value. Way up.

I also needed some cash on hand just in case a certain someone commits arson… and yes, that would be Mr. the Devil. Or perhaps Mr. Wussynik. But the point is that stocks are not actual cash. This is not to say that I am insulting Mr. Ballmer by selling him stocks, but to say that Mr. the Devil's method of using stocks for cash is morally and mentally wrong.

The article is correct in pointing out that I still have 917.5 million stocks. I am redeeming my stocks in small enough portions to go unnoticed by anyone who listens to news by Poxcasts.

Speaking of Poxcasts, my Ambassador Department has developed several publications – not only for the iPox but for the Zune – about the search for Zune Tang. All Poxcasts created were destroyed by Crapapple, but only after the Poxcasts were spread for five days. Six. Whatever.

Mr. the Devil, the previous Billy Boy post told you that I would give you 96 hours to return Zune Tang. And you didn't. But I also told you that I would give you nukes by air if you did not comply. Disregard that threat; it was written by one of my programmers in New Delhi. However, as his impersonation of me was not in the least bit demeaning to Microsoft, he does not get fired.

One last note: Mr. Ballmer has taken up a new and dangerous sport – hurling iMucks. The dangers include asbestosis, bronchitis, diarrhea, severe heart attacks, and stock market crashes. These can all be prevented simply by not hooking the iMuck to any network. Ready for the next one, Steve?

Your whining. Our wealth. Microsoft.

Sid
I don't care about your silly argument. It is pointless. I can go on and on as I have before on this site, but it is boring. That is why I am not a teacher, I get tired of saying the same thing over and over.

The picture is for humor. Get over it.

I don't need to use my real email address. That would change nothing, except the amount of spam I would have to wade through. I have used this moniker for for seven years, and have been visiting this site for over a year. I am a regular here, and this suits me well.

It is funny that you two want to 'raise the tone of the debate' with Microsoft, yet you can hurl ineffectives like 'The suppression of scientific fact because it harms the neocon agenda; the firing of district attorneys for similar reasons - these are typical of the tools of repressive regimes' without the blink of the eye. You are not worth the challenge.

@Towertone.

When people resort to personal insults, as you are doing, it merely demonstrates acknowledgement of the weakness of your argument.

1. The suppression of scientific fact because it harms the neocon agenda: "Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA) joined conservation groups today, filing an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit against the Bush administration for its failure to issue a legally required National Assessment of climate change impacts on the United States, now two years overdue." Read the full article with links at http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/press/national-assessment-02-08-2007.html

and...

Wednesday, January 31st, 2007
Government Scientists Accuse Bush Administration of Interfering, Misleading on Climate Change

According to a new survey, hundreds of government scientists say they have perceived or personally experienced pressure from the Bush administration to eliminate phrases such as “climate change” and “global warming” from their reports and public statements. One of those scientists -- NASA climatologist Drew Shindell – testified Tuesday before the Committee on House Oversight and Government Reform. [includes rush transcript]
The Bush administration was accused on Tuesday of misleading the public over the threat of global warming and of interfering with the work of government scientists studying climate change. According to a new survey, hundreds of government scientists said they have perceived or personally experienced pressure to eliminate phrases such as "climate change" and “global warming" from their reports and public statements. One-third of the scientists surveyed also said officials at their agencies have made statements on climate change that misrepresented their findings.

see the rest of the story here: http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/31/1543215

There are many similar stories on the net. Even Windows ME browsers must have some sort of search function.


2. the firing of district attorneys for similar reasons (actually prosecutors)

By DAVID JOHNSTON, ERIC LIPTON and WILLIAM YARDLEY
Published: March 4, 2007
This article is by David Johnston, Eric Lipton and William Yardley. (NY Times)

WASHINGTON, March 3 — After Daniel G. Bogden got the call in December telling him that he was being dismissed as the United States attorney in Nevada, he pressed for an explanation.

Mr. Bogden, who was named the top federal prosecutor in Nevada in 2001 after 11 years of working his way up at the Justice Department, asked an official at the agency’s headquarters if the firing was related to his performance or to that of his office. “That didn’t enter into the equation,” he said he was told.

After several more calls, Mr. Bogden reached a senior official who offered an answer. “There is a window of opportunity to put candidates into an office like mine,” Mr. Bogden said, recalling the conversation. “They were attempting to open a slot and bring someone else in.”

The ouster of Mr. Bogden and seven other United States attorneys has set off a furor in Washington that took the Bush administration by surprise...

Summoning five of the dismissed prosecutors for hearings on Tuesday, the newly empowered Congressional Democrats have charged that the mass firing is a political purge, intended to squelch corruption investigations or install less independent-minded successors.

... see the NY Times for the rest of the story: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/washington/04attorneys.html?_r=1&th&emc;=th&oref=slogin


3. these are typical of the tools of repressive regimes...

At least they haven't started murdering their reporters like they do in Putin's Russia.

You didn't answer my question about your anti-liberal values. So a debate about everyone else's values is ok, but you won't defend your own. Your mother must have a large skirt...


As I said in my original post, "It is my experience that people who use the term "liberal" as a form of insult, as you appear to be doing, are less informed, less educated, less travelled, less tolerant and less worldly that others."

You are demonstrating my point nicely. Keep it up!

@Towertone

Did you mean to "hurl invective" or is "hurl ineffective" an example of the local dialect where you live?

@Towertone

... "That is why I am not a teacher."

Thank goodness for that. Or we would all be hurling ineffectives...

Actually, it has a nice ring to it. Sounds like an exotic cult:

- The Hurling Ineffectives of Rural Texas -

I like it!

And you, Mr Towertone, can be the Grand Poobah of the Hurling Ineffectives.

I think that deserves a new moniker, don't you?

testing. testing 1,2,3

Sid
Where exactly is the personal insult?
Here is one.You just make me want to hurl. Period. If you were just a little more intelligent, you would see the humor/irony in how I write. Now those are insults. Enjoy.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-02/osu-atd021207.php

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/global-warming020507.htm

http://www.epw.senate.gov/pressitem.cfm?party=rep&id=257909

and as far as your attitude, you have summed up the reason this all started in the first place...liberal double-speak.

you talk of insults as you give them, being open minded as you close yours, and being educated as you hold that over others.
Yes, you are a liberal. The most despicable kind.
"Look at how wise we are...do as we say, we know what is best for you...now sit down and shut up, I am better and know more..."

Your attitude sucks, Mr Stephen. Even Democrats, of which I know many, cringe at the sight of your ilk.

Need more to read?

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/11581/

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/11436/

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/11293/

get over yourself.

@Towetone

I obviously hit a nerve. You STILL havent answered my question.

And the more insults you hurl the more you reveal your lack of anything sensible to say on the subject.

Now just remember this all started when you accused someone of "liberal doublespeak". Since then your posts have been entirely devoid of fact, or even interesting conjecture.

You strike me as someone who likes to criticise others but can't handle the critical blowtorch being applied to yourself.

I rest my case...