Windows 7 a Test for Steve Ballmer Post Bill Gates

Windows 7 is the first operating system of Microsoft during post-Bill Gates and the lackluster performance of Windows Vista has all eyes on the upcoming operating system that is said to be released later this year. This would be a test for Steve Ballmer and his gang who are most likely to be assessed months after the release of Windows 7.

Steve Ballmer has made initial comments that they are proud of what they have accomplished so far post-Gates. He says that the team has grown a lot including himself and people are stepping up one way or the other. In an onstage interview conducted by BusinessWeek Editor in Chief Steve Adler, Steve says:

We have a lot of people who are stepping up and growing in new ways. There's no question about that. I'm growing in some new ways. Some of the senior technical guys are growing in new ways. It's a great piece of work. And it's a piece of work that was driven by a team ... independent of Bill and his leadership. And I think we're all, you know, feeling pretty good about it. We've got to finish it. But I think it'll be a big, big deal.

When asked whether Bill Gates decides to comeback -- We miss Bill. I mean, if you gave sort of the average senior technical person at Microsoft a vote, 'Bill back, Bill not back,' they'd probably say, 'Yeah, it'd be great to have Bill back.' On the other hand, Bill's doing something important that everybody values, and I think everybody relishes the opportunity to grow and take more responsibility.

When the top guy leave you expect people to step up and Microsoft is filled with smart, driven people who would have no problems stepping up. This would be a great opportunity for Bill Gates to let his people grow and have a different perspective. Who know, Bill Gates might decide to comeback and Microsoft would be equipped with better people. If that happens, the world would rock on that note.

We miss the Steve Jobs vs Bill Gates competition. The classy marketer vs the Hardcore Geek.

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