>Jobs was a very different person that Gates. He felt pushed out from day one and was never happy with it. He didn't leave on his own. He never said he wouldn't return. Gates is not returning.

I sure don't see Gates returning either - he stepped down on his own and is quite busy with his foundation these days - and I expect that is what he'll continue to put his time and effort into. The idea of him coming back is kinda cool though :)

>>But, what else could Ballmer say? I haven't read the SEC filing from Microsoft on this, but I suspect it said he retiring for personal reasons which could mean anything.
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>>About Gates, I doubt it also. But, remember a guy named Steve Jobs? - he came back to save a company he loved. Jobs and Gates are really special visionaries in the industry.... so stranger things have happened.
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>>In a different industry, Charles Schwab took back his company a few years ago to save it. You just never know how attached a founder is to something.
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>>And I don't use the word "saved his company" lightly.... I think Microsoft needs a big turn around to get past some self inflicted black eyes.