"The Road Ahead" 10 years on - bit-tech.net Forums

The_Pope · 8th Feb 2006, 13:22

http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/02...llgates/1.html

RotoSequence · 8th Feb 2006, 15:21

Not a bad read of what happened ten years on

felix the cat · 8th Feb 2006, 16:14

what is he like as an author, is was it written by someone else (sorry if this has been answered already, busy today for some reason, so could only skim read...)

Bindibadgi · 8th Feb 2006, 16:45

ARGH!! I WANT IMP NOOOOWWWW!!

The_Pope · 8th Feb 2006, 16:53

Well, here's the thing: the book was written by Gates, Microsoft's CTO, Nathan Myhrvold, and another guy called Peter Rinearson. Having said that, the book is written in first person, so it's all "I think this, I think that" etc even though technically, maybe, some of the ideas came from the other two guys.

Overall though, I really, genuinely enjoyed the book. I remember actually *asking* for it for Christmas in what was presumably 1995 and couldn't put it down. Normally, I don't read many books for entertainment, but The Road Ahead was one that I did enjoy.

I'm not unaware that it's "cool" to slag off Microsoft, compare Gates to the devil and all that, but if you're able to put the fanboyisms aside, the guy really did a lot.

Will · 8th Feb 2006, 16:54

Nice article, I spy a spelling mistake on the first page though....

Quote:

And at 9:02am on Wednesday 19th April, a rented truck containing some 2,300KG of explosive, kills 168 people including 19 children, in Oklamhoma City.

MrWillyWonka · 8th Feb 2006, 17:13

Great article, I'm tempted to buy the book so I can read it on the plane/coach journey to Andorra this weekend. However what does "Pre-Intermediate Level" mean, is the book put in a simplified language or what?

And this isn't the only book written by gates isn't it?

Firehed · 8th Feb 2006, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWillyWonka

Great article, I'm tempted to buy the book so I can read it on the plane/coach journey to Andorra this weekend. However what does "Pre-Intermediate Level" mean, is the book put in a simplified language or what?

And this isn't the only book written by gates isn't it?

Gotta download an audiobook of it off of iTunes just to mock him :P

AFAIK, it is Bill's only book.

Very interesting read. It's pretty impressive how close he was on some things. Especially considering that this was before the internet became the information superhighway. Oh what would we do if it was called the ISH instead of the internet?!

TBH I'm a bit irked at how accurate his predictions on DRM were, though it's hardly his fault. I thought the term 'intellectual property' only came about in the last couple of years. Go figure.

TomH · 8th Feb 2006, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehed

AFAIK, it is Bill's only book.

Nope. I've got one on my shelf, 'Business @ The Speed of Thought' by Bill Gates.. A magic tale of spin, spin, and even *more* business spin.

planki · 8th Feb 2006, 19:59

one of the best articles ive read in a long time!!

i remember getting this book too for christmas except i was about 8 at the time, i remember it came in a box that looked like it was a pc game and had a cd with it aswell.

Allthough i dont think i have the cd or the box anymore so couldn't tell you what was on it!

Nature · 8th Feb 2006, 20:25

How much $ does Gates have?

Hans Voralberg · 8th Feb 2006, 21:12

The last figure i remember is $65bil, pretty sure it's much more than that now, or less, idont know

speedfreek · 8th Feb 2006, 22:03

Good article.

I rember the good ol days of dialing my friends house and playing quake 2, then getting rudely disconnected because someone needed the telephone. I was suprised at how accurate some of those predictions were, some like internet gaming were a no brainer.

Shpoon · 8th Feb 2006, 22:30

Mmm, start button is not worth BSoD.

customh · 8th Feb 2006, 22:35

Quote:

Using the Mobile Box Office website, Michigan-based movie buffs can buy 'digital' cimera tickets

cimera? -- last or 2nd to last page

cpemma · 8th Feb 2006, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nature

How much $ does Gates have?

It obeys Moore's Law, doubling every two years.

8th Feb 2006, 22:59

An interesting thing the article doesn't tell you is Bill Gates' "foot in the door" advantage.

Bill Gates came from an affluent family near Seattle. His mother was a boardmember for several different major companies, including IBM. When IBM was introducing its PC line it needed an OS. Who did Bill Gates' mother recommend? BAM! Foot in the door. The real catch that made him rich was the deal he struck. I'll (Bill Gates) supply the OS, but will retain the all the rights. You (IBM) must license each and every copy of PCDOS you run on your PC line. Then, as we all know, the rise of the PC clone made Gates extremely rich. It pays to be smart, a hardworker, and know the right people. Just a hint for those out there trying to make their first million.

speedfreek · 8th Feb 2006, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpemma

It obeys Moore's Law, doubling every two years.

I bet thats close to it.

He did have the foot in advantage, I bet he wouldnt be as rich without it or wouldnt be rich at all.

Wrigley1 · 9th Feb 2006, 03:05

Ahh when people talk about paying per listen to a song and identifying to listen to music everywhere it scares me! Stop it! I want it to be like it is now, you can buy individual songs or a whole album. I am NOT paying every time I listen to a song! And neither will anybody else...

Joungne · 9th Feb 2006, 03:07

very nice article, good read before I go to bed :-)

i just need to clean out all my junk mail and I'm done for today ;-)

8th Feb 2006, 13:22	#1
The_Pope Geoff Richards Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2,089	"The Road Ahead" 10 years on http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/02...llgates/1.html

8th Feb 2006, 15:21	#2
RotoSequence Lazy Lurker Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 'States Posts: 4,529	Not a bad read of what happened ten years on __________________ Technology Schmecnology

8th Feb 2006, 16:14	#3
felix the cat Spaceman Spiff Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Mok Posts: 4,616	what is he like as an author, is was it written by someone else (sorry if this has been answered already, busy today for some reason, so could only skim read...) __________________ A8NSli-D ::X2 3800+ :: 2gb Corsair :: Radeon X1800 :: 4Seagates :: onboard sound ::

8th Feb 2006, 16:45	#4
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,260	ARGH!! I WANT IMP NOOOOWWWW!! __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

8th Feb 2006, 17:13	#7
MrWillyWonka . Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southampton, Hants Posts: 5,746	Great article, I'm tempted to buy the book so I can read it on the plane/coach journey to Andorra this weekend. However what does "Pre-Intermediate Level" mean, is the book put in a simplified language or what? And this isn't the only book written by gates isn't it? __________________ Project Red - HL2 - PSOne LCD S-Video Guide Main Rig: Asus Striker Extreme, Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 OC'd to 2.65GHz, 4GB Corsair XMS, 8800GTS in SLI, 36 & 74GB Raptors

8th Feb 2006, 16:53	#5
The_Pope Geoff Richards Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2,089	Well, here's the thing: the book was written by Gates, Microsoft's CTO, Nathan Myhrvold, and another guy called Peter Rinearson. Having said that, the book is written in first person, so it's all "I think this, I think that" etc even though technically, maybe, some of the ideas came from the other two guys. Overall though, I really, genuinely enjoyed the book. I remember actually asking for it for Christmas in what was presumably 1995 and couldn't put it down. Normally, I don't read many books for entertainment, but The Road Ahead was one that I did enjoy. I'm not unaware that it's "cool" to slag off Microsoft, compare Gates to the devil and all that, but if you're able to put the fanboyisms aside, the guy really did a lot.

8th Feb 2006, 19:59	#10
planki ... Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: nottingham Posts: 1,121	one of the best articles ive read in a long time!! i remember getting this book too for christmas except i was about 8 at the time, i remember it came in a box that looked like it was a pc game and had a cd with it aswell. Allthough i dont think i have the cd or the box anymore so couldn't tell you what was on it! __________________ Whoopa

8th Feb 2006, 20:25	#11
Nature Supermodder Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jinan, China Posts: 417	How much $ does Gates have? __________________ Peace, Love, Empathy, Respect, Generosity, Smiles, and Hugs

8th Feb 2006, 21:12	#12
Hans Voralberg Multimodder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cambridge Posts: 84	The last figure i remember is $65bil, pretty sure it's much more than that now, or less, idont know

8th Feb 2006, 22:03	#13
speedfreek Ultramodder Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SE Wisconsin (us) Posts: 1,439	Good article. I rember the good ol days of dialing my friends house and playing quake 2, then getting rudely disconnected because someone needed the telephone. I was suprised at how accurate some of those predictions were, some like internet gaming were a no brainer. __________________ New Rig, Quad Core and 8800 baby! Now with 6gb of RAM and a nice even 2tb now my server\|Athlon 64 3700(2.64ghz)\|7800gs\|2gb XMS 2-3-3-6\|2tb+ total HD space... In raid\|I have a problem. New Laptop: HP EliteBook, its fast!

8th Feb 2006, 22:30	#14
Shpoon Multimodder Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 130	Mmm, start button is not worth BSoD.

8th Feb 2006, 22:59	#17
SensesFail Guest Posts: n/a	An interesting thing the article doesn't tell you is Bill Gates' "foot in the door" advantage. Bill Gates came from an affluent family near Seattle. His mother was a boardmember for several different major companies, including IBM. When IBM was introducing its PC line it needed an OS. Who did Bill Gates' mother recommend? BAM! Foot in the door. The real catch that made him rich was the deal he struck. I'll (Bill Gates) supply the OS, but will retain the all the rights. You (IBM) must license each and every copy of PCDOS you run on your PC line. Then, as we all know, the rise of the PC clone made Gates extremely rich. It pays to be smart, a hardworker, and know the right people. Just a hint for those out there trying to make their first million.

9th Feb 2006, 03:05	#19
Wrigley1 Supermodder Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA Posts: 275	Ahh when people talk about paying per listen to a song and identifying to listen to music everywhere it scares me! Stop it! I want it to be like it is now, you can buy individual songs or a whole album. I am NOT paying every time I listen to a song! And neither will anybody else... __________________ SHAZAM!

9th Feb 2006, 03:07	#20
Joungne Multimodder Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Belgium, Gent Posts: 196	very nice article, good read before I go to bed :-) i just need to clean out all my junk mail and I'm done for today ;-) __________________ HYPERCUBE² TOTAL COMPLETION, stay tuned for my next visit