But Windows has taught people to be lazy...

Maybe "lazy" when it comes to understanding how a computer works, but for most people such knowledge has no bearing on what they need to do with it. Computers are merely tools to further some sort of task, and should not be tasks in themselves.

Without the accesibility of Windows, people would still be grappling with cryptic text files and looking up relevant commands in thick manuals just to get programs to run. Ultimately this wastes the time that should have been spent actually doing what needs to get done, whether it be word processing, presentations, internet, gaming etc.

Most people back then in their futile attempts at scaling these seemingly overwhelming odds either simply gave up or obtained help from some sort of technician or specialist for the simplest of tasks. In the latter case, accesibility empowers the user by allowing him to focus on the task at hand without his intentions being distorted by someone who probably doesn't fully understand them.

Besides, there's still plenty of things to tinker with underneath Window's "lazy" exterior.

Anyone who thinks that Bill Gates made computers accessible obviously hasn't been into computers nearly long enough.

Exactly. For that, she should be knighting Andy Hertzfield, Susan Kore, Steve Jobs, and probably Burrell Smith and Douglas Engelbart too.

That's not what Gates is being recognized for, though, so maybe there's still hope for those guys..

Anyone who thinks that Bill Gates made computers accessible obviously hasn't been into computers nearly long enough. Before Windows 95 came along, a great many people had to use DOS and Windows 3.1. Anyone who had to did so and was usually good at it. Windows is unstable, insecure, overpriced and Microsoft is one of the world's largest corporate bullies. Their current project is funding SCO Group through Steve Ballmer's venture capital firm in a bid to sue the Linux community out of existence. I'm sure Bill was well meaning with the charitable donations he made, but everyone seems to forget how he "earned" that money. Linux is currently complicated and generally inaccessible I'll admit. But Windows has taught people to be lazy and not to bother exploring the more advanced parts of their OS because "you don't need to, we'll take care of everything." Linux would be much easier for a lot of people if the monopoly OS currently in the market didn't teach them to check their brains at the door.

Parallax Abstraction

I'm sure you could make all kinds of arguments for why Bill Gates might deserve some kind of honour based on donations to charities and such forth, but for "services to global enterprise"??! The man is one of the most unscrupulous business men in history. Jeez.

She obviously hasn’t heard about this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3208112.stm (as if it was her decision anyway)

No, you guys.. I meant the Queen's a fucking idiot.

What's all this about Gates?

...but also for the fact that he has standardised the way in which we use computers, so that virtually anybody can switch a computer on and do what they need to.

Hell, before DirectX, you needed to be a fairly adept at working jumpers on mainboards and videocards just to get a lot of games to work. Several major manufactures of computers, just as many different OS's custom drivers for those native OS's....no matter how much hardcore opensource users complain about Windoze or whatnot, it's a world standard that revolutionized PC's to a far more open and accessible medium than would have been otherwise.

He may dominate the market but have you tried to use linux? if everyone was trying to use that then we would be stuck 10 years in the past. That and being in the dominant position he can push ideas into the mainstream much easier (witness, plug and play, easy to set up networks (thank god!)

I've always used Unix OS's far more than either Windows or Linux, and I think it's the better of the three. However, I do realize that the Windows platform is a hell of a lot more accessible, though.

It's easy to bash Gates for having so much damn money, but some facts do remain that most people overlook. He's had quite the effect on this world, affecting it to the point that I would even say was major. Microsoft's protocols and standards are what helped shape curren global telecommunications and brought about the connectivity and accessibility we enjoy all around the world today. Hell, William Gates the Third more than deserves the honor of being Knighted.

FWIW, Gates has publicly stated that he would like to give away the bulk of his fortune to charities by the time he retires.

I'd read that this was happening after his & his wife's death. The article there says otherwise though, so kudos will have to be increased.

I'd still rather knighthood's involve some real, significant sacrifice (in the case of Gates, on paper he would still be a billionaire even after giving away 95percent), but I cant argue against Whatever helps set an example, since to do so would argue against the knighthood system being used to maximise the greater good by any means reasonable & available.


This comment was edited on Jan 25, 20:47.

Donated $26billion? Gosh, only another 40 left. I'd consider it far more worthy of a knighthood if someone gave away $1m, if they only had that $1m. It's a cool thing to do, but it's not like he's sacrificing his lifestyle for one of hardship devoted to some great moral good.

FWIW, Gates has publicly stated that he would like to give away the bulk of his fortune to charities by the time he retires. I think any money given to charity is good, granted if I gave away 1/3 of my fortune it'd have a stronger impact on me personally, but spending millions to fight malaria and to promote practices that might slow the spread of aids is probably a good thing and laudable. Whatever helps set an example for the Paul Allens and Larry Ellisons and whomever else has that kind of money lying around gather interest higher than most people's lifetime earnings...

A decent article - http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0925/p01s04-woaf.html notes:

Where the money goes
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has an endowment of $24 billion, consisting solely of personal donations from the Microsoft founder and his wife. Since 2000, more than $6.2 billion has been distributed worldwide.

• Global health – $3.22 billion
• Education – $1.84 billion
• Special projects – $489 million
• Pacific Northwest – $478 million
• Libraries – $227 million
• Employee matching, gifts, and sponsorship – $1.64 million

Enhanced With Minerals For A Pure, Fresh Taste. - Dasani bottled water label

"services to global enterprise".

For that, I bet when he dies st. Peter is going to roll out the red carpet, bowing in awe.

Donated $26billion? Gosh, only another 40 left. I'd consider it far more worthy of a knighthood if someone gave away $1m, if they only had that $1m. It's a cool thing to do, but it's not like he's sacrificing his lifestyle for one of hardship devoted to some great moral good.


EDIT: I would pay good money for an annual jousting tournament with all royal knights made to participate. I bet the TV rights alone would be worth millions for AIDS research/kids in Africa. they could save tens of thousands of lives and all that they would need to do is donate one day of the year, maybe the occasional broken arm, and their humility.

Surely someone could at least make a flash animation of it? Kind of celebrity deathmatch with horses annd long pointy sticks.
This comment was edited on Jan 25, 19:05.

I think he deserves it.

Not only for all the charity stuff (100's of millions toward AIDs research), but also for the fact that he has standardised the way in which we use computers, so that virtually anybody can switch a computer on and do what they need to.

He may dominate the market but have you tried to use linux? if everyone was trying to use that then we would be stuck 10 years in the past. That and being in the dominant position he can push ideas into the mainstream much easier (witness, plug and play, easy to set up networks (thank god!)

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Leading the "Support our Arrow keys" movement!

If Elton John's Knighthood didn't do it, Bill Gates' will certainly shatter the final remaining notion of my childhood vision of "Knighthood"!

Would it help if Elton and Bill got into a sword fight or a jousting match?

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And remember, this is only my opinion - anyone who disagrees with it has every right to be wrong.

...it still sounds like the start of a plot for a Mel Brooks film. If Elton John's Knighthood didn't do it, Bill Gates' will certainly shatter the final remaining notion of my childhood vision of "Knighthood"!

I thought it was a dumb idea but then I think I remember reading about him helping supply underprivileged schools and people in the 3rd world with computers. I believe I did anyways..

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Love,
Mayor Danm{

quite right, Tony!!!

Mr Gates has been a notable donor to charities and good causes. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was created in 2000 to improve "equity in global health and learning". He has donated nearly $26 billion to the foundation.

Show me any other CEO/CTO/CFO/etc. who has given as much to ANY non-profit organization.

Enhanced With Minerals For A Pure, Fresh Taste. - Dasani bottled water label

bill gates deserves it

Well, I think Bill has done more for society than some of these others who have been "knighted". So, what is the big deal here? Hating Bill Gates has become such a cliche that people do it in thier sleep with no given thought. Oh well. Got things to do. Later.

-Tony!!!;)

well said

Supporter of "The Only Good fredster Is A Dead fredster" fan club

Leader of the rebel movement against the dark Lord Surewood and his fiendish cohorts(bunko)

The Queen's a fucking idiot.