Just got this from ZD Net:

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Bill Gates announced Thursday he will step down as chief executive of Microsoft. Company President Steve
Ballmer will take over the CEO role. Speaking at a news conference in Redmond, Washington, Gates said he will
continue to act as chairman of the software giant. He will also assume the role of "chief software architect."

Gates said his "commitment to working full-time" for the company remains "100 percent," but that it was time for
the management structure to evolve.

Calling the move "a very exciting evolution for me," Gates cited his 25 years as CEO of the company he
co-founded in January 1975 as a reason for him to take what he called "the next step."

Gates said his new role as chief software architect will be to focus on future technologies, helping the company
make the right strategic bets for the future. Although he enjoyed running the day-to-day operations, Gates said,
this move will get him back to the role he truly cherishes.

Ballmer said Microsoft will continue major product and services initiatives now underway.

"I'm just very appreciative for the opportunity," he said.

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