I’ve written before how much computers are critical in our lives and work.  And, how much they’ve changed since I started my career. From my shoeboxes carrying Hollerith Cards fed to a computer almost as large as my living room (designing a pyrolysis unit) to my PDP computer (enzymatic production of a new form of penicillin) to my Osborne (water reuse systems, QC for medical products) to my AT&T (clinical trials) to my current systems (WebOS tablet, Intel7 laptop, and 8 processor Itanium server).

The personal computer era that started with Gary Kildall and CPM to Microsoft’s DOS/Windows gave us the ability to provide computing power to everyone in our organizations. Given the heavy mathematical/engineering bent of our work, the plethora of programs for PC based systems, we never considered Apple for our efforts. The fact that we could build and modify our own systems, saving even more money in the process, didn’t hurt either.

But, that did not mean we didn’t pay attention to what Apple was doing- as an intellectual and business model curiosity.  We recognized that Bill Gates and the ‘Steve’s (Jobs and Wozniak) had visions for computing that were mesmerizing.  (This may be the time to remind everyone that working for Bill Gates or Steve Jobs was not a bed of roses.  Both demanded excellence- devotion- and the occasional (?) browbeating/berating.) But, to be honest, while Steve Jobs’ vision was for cool looking computers that seemed simple to use, we knew that Bill Gates’ vision of ubiquitous computing was the more critical one.  Maybe, because we understood the concept of computing that was everywhere.  To maintain your groceries, to manage your home, to your car, to your business- and back again.  (We actually worked on prototype systems using piezoelectrics and computers [and the phone] to remotely vacuum your home for AT&T just prior to its breakup into Baby Bells- so we were familiar with this ubiquity concept.)  And, without Gates’ vision of ubiquitous computing, I doubt very much if you or I would consider owning the i’s (iPhone, iPad, iPod).

It was Gates’ execution of his vision that made these creations tenable. After all, if there were not tons of PC’s out in the world, then the world wide web (WWW) would have remained the domain of the geek.  (No offense to Tim Berners-Lee and Marc Andreeson, who were instrumental in the conversion from the Geek to the “meek” [you know, who inherit the Earth].)  And, the WWW became pervasive- with supporting infrastructure, based upon telecommunications…

You see, PC’s were open- like I said, you could build your own, modify your own system.  This freedom was critical to its pervasiveness.  And, the Internet bested both AOL and eWorld (Apple’s “contribution”) because it was open and not closed (like the Apple computers, where nothing could be modified or adjusted inside the box). Which eventually made the  iPhone and iPad possible.

Let’s not minimize a major change in attitude from Steve Jobs made the iPhone even more pervasive.  No, you can’t adjust anything inside the phone.  But, instead of the normal Apple concept of keeping everything for itself, it lets the Apple apps revenue go mostly to the developers.  So, there’s a tremendous incentive to develop new “stuff” to excite customers. (Apple execs wanted to keep 70% of the revenue for themselves.  Contrary to his normal posture, Steve Jobs knew this would not grow the iPhone market- and refused to accept the norm- giving, instead, 70% of the revenue to the app developers.)

So, both Gates and Jobs satisfied the consumer demand for computing.  Apple borrowed (?) much from Xerox’ Parc Labs visions, among others.  Microsoft borrowed from Gary Kildall, IBM (OS/2), and learned from Apple and Netscape, among many others.

But, let us not forget that Bill Gates not only believed in ubiquitous computing to make our lives more pleasant, but believed in the power of thought AND money to make this world better.  To the tune of more than $30 billion of his own personal wealth, devoted to tackle the issues that have to be solved to perfect this world.

I have already discussed (as have tons of others) Steve Jobs’ Stanford commencement speech. Let’s consider what Bill Gates’ had to say when he returned to Harvard in 2007- where he dropped out some 30 years prior.

We can make market forces work better for the poor if we can develop a more creative capitalism – if we can stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can make a profit, or at least make a living, serving people who are suffering from the worst inequities. We also can press governments around the world to spend taxpayer money in ways that better reflect the values of the people who pay the taxes… The barrier to change is not too little caring; it is too much complexity. To turn caring into action, we need to see a problem, see a solution, and see the impact. But complexity blocks all three steps… And I hope you will come back here to Harvard 30 years from now and reflect on what you have done with your talent and your energy. I hope you will judge yourselves not on your professional accomplishments alone, but also on how well you have addressed the world’s deepest inequities … on how well you treated people a world away who have nothing in common with you but their humanity.

It’s this vision and thought that cause me to commend Bill Gates.  He went from a college dropout, to entrepreneur, to a leader of business, to a leader of people.  And, he does not care that you think Steve Jobs is the visionary of the age- because he knows (as should we) the real needs of this world- and is using his vision and money to make that a reality. Happy Thanksgiving.  Take this time to make a small donation- to Mazon, to the Salvation Army, to a food bank- remember that there are many that can’t afford that thankful meal you will be sharing today.

Share this: