Gates plans his leave amid great change

C|Net | at | by Mike

Microsoft is beset with competition from all sides, unlike any it has seen in decades, and Bill Gates, who co-founded the company 32 years ago, still intends to step away next year as planned.

But so far, Gates, Microsoft's 51-year-old chairman, shows no sign of fading away.

One year into a planned two-year transition, there are few visible cues that Gates is ready to leave the world's technology stage to devote his energies principally to the $33 billion foundation he established seven years ago with his wife.