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How Bill Gates Works

ZZeta writes "What's a day like for the richest man on Earth? In this Fortune interview, Bill Gates explains what he does on his average workday. Most interesting? He is not into some of Outlook's features, such as to-do lists and email notification. Also, he works with three monitors and is looking forward to buying a digital whiteboard next year." I was interested in how he gets his e-mail filtered. Hey Bill, if you read this, I'll totally put you on my e-mail whitelist!

14 of 424 comments (clear)

  1. HSW by earthstar · · Score: 5, Funny
    " How Bill Gates Works "

    Interesting.

    I Guess,How stuff Works should include how such " stuff " works too .

    1. Re:HSW by clevershark · · Score: 5, Funny

      Bill Gates is supported by a system of veins and arteries that cycle blood throughout his body, as well as a set of lungs which collect oxygen which is then added to the blood...

      --

      My sig is too lon

  2. huh? by clevershark · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "Also, he works with three monitors and is looking forward to buying a digital whiteboard next year." I can't fathom why the world's richest man would wait for any period of time before buying something, especially if it's something useful!

    --

    My sig is too lon

  3. TFA by Kangburra · · Score: 5, Funny

    Today, if there's something up there that's brilliant, I just get out my pen and my Tablet PC and recreate it.

    Wow, like that's really changed? See something good and copy it!

    --
    Common sense is not so common
  4. Shady guy by AsciiNaut · · Score: 5, Funny

    Interesting to see him using venetian blinds -- doesn't he like Windows?

  5. That is his background picture. by taxman_10m · · Score: 5, Funny

    And probably why it is everyone else's default.

  6. Re:Desktop by jeillah · · Score: 5, Funny

    That looks like a studio version of a generic office except for the side by side trio of monitors on the desk. I'll bet they didn't want to show his real office with the big golden throne and all the other good stuff...

  7. Re:Desktop by AxminsterLeuven · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) His (windows) desktop uses the default XP background. Odd that the world's richest man doesn't change his background picture. He probably *did* change his desktop to match his personal preferences. He just changed it on all the computers on the entire world.

  8. How boring, Bill! Let's hear the interesting stuff by gd23ka · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Instead of hearing about all the wonderful "Microsoft Technologies" he uses like a desktop that spans three
    screens I guess the really interesting thing to hear from him is how he gets himself focused and disciplined, what's
    his mental trick here. I know how to work an email client like the next guy but I'm still a miserable, disorganized,
    unfocussed son of a bitch. That "part" of your workday is what is really interesting, Bill.

  9. Re:The Technology Hasn't Been Up To Snuff by idontgno · · Score: 5, Funny
    he could just hire Bob Ross

    I'm sure Gates can afford it. Summoning the undead is essentially free.

    Maintenance (roll-on antiperspirant, fresh changes of embalming fluid, regular sacrifices to the unspeakable powers of darkness) is a bit of a financial drag. But I think in the "unspeakable powers" category, Gates gets an employee discount.

    --
    Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
  10. Re:Desktop by oahazmatt · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) His (windows) desktop uses the default XP background. Odd that the world's richest man doesn't change his background picture.

    The Administrator probably never gave him enough privelages for that.

    --
    Those who believe the Internet is private,
    find their privates are on the Internet.
  11. Re:Is he watching? by scarolan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe his office is so sparse because Steve Ballmer breaks all his furniture?

  12. Re:Is he watching? by MarkGriz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Article summary:

    8:30 Arrive at Microsoft
    8:32 Find penny in parking lot. Pick it up.
    8:37 Open my office door. Add penny to the "Digital Whiteboard Fund" jar on my desk. I've got about $100 in there now, and am hoping to
              have enough to get one by next year.
    8:39 Look at my 3 monitor setup and chuckle about the rest of the world running Windows(TM) on their little 15" flat panel. Peasants.
    9:15 Write up advert^H^H^H^H^Hrticle about my typical day, making sure to plug as many Microsoft(TM) products as possible.
    9:30 Email advert^H^H^H^H^Hrticle (DAMMIT, did it again) to Fortune Magazine. Fortune *chuckle* .... how apropos!
    9:35 Profit!

    --
    Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
  13. Re:A few thoughts... by Momoru · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That has always been the MO for Bill Gates. Even after Microsoft went IPO he still drove around an old ratty Mercedes (and bought a Porsche collection, but that was more for his love of speed then bling). From day one he has made sure all developers have the same size office as him, with the same amount of windows (why Microsoft's original buildings were X's). Bill Gates is competitive, not materialistic. There is a reason he doesn't just quit right now and buy a huge yacht with Paul Allen. He's never seemed to care much about the bling.